Project Engineer, Staff
Description
The talented innovators in Goleta, CA are a leading developer and provider of satellite mechanisms, deployable structures and booms and deployable solar array systems to the global space market. The team is revolutionizing spaceflight and are currently being utilized on missions with NASA, the Department of Defense, and commercial space companies. With many more exciting projects on the horizon our team could use your curiosity, passion, talent and experience to help us Build Above.
- Serve as the technical lead for assigned programs or project teams, ensuring scope, schedule, resources, and budget remain aligned.
- Maintain technical integrity throughout all phases of a project and act as the primary point of technical escalation and resolution.
- Translate product development strategies into system-level requirements and coordinate with engineering disciplines to develop detailed lower-level specifications.
- Lead design reviews and develop or review verification plans, validation procedures, and customer acceptance test procedures.
- Generate, review, and present all required project documentation.
- Develop system-level requirements, verification procedures, and compliance documentation.
- Ensure requirements traceability and verification through successful test execution.
- Assess system performance using evaluation criteria, analyses, and technical performance measures.
- Participate in or lead non-conformance investigations and disposition activities.
- Serve as a technical liaison with customers and support business development activities as needed.
- Provide guidance to internal teams at the brand, program, and project levels.
- Establish and coordinate standards, practices, and procedures related to product development and engineering excellence.
- Partner with program management to ensure project execution aligns with customer expectations and internal guidelines.
- Control project costs through effective resource planning and close management of system-level decisions.
- Support both internal and customer-facing project updates and technical presentations.
- Travel occasionally as required (approximately 10–15%), primarily local with some overnight trips.
- B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
- Minimum of 8+ years of experience in designing, developing, manufacturing, and testing production hardware.
- Proven systems-level engineering experience and prior leadership of technical teams.
- Experience with space mechanism design and aerospace guidelines.
- Proficiency in CAD and PDM systems.
- Strong drafting knowledge and understanding of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and tolerance analysis.
- Experience preparing and presenting technical updates to internal and external stakeholders.
- Familiarity with root cause analysis processes.
- M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience with PDM Pro, SolidWorks, SolidWorks Simulation, Thermal Desktop, NASTRAN, or ANSYS.
- Familiarity with aerospace standards such as GSFC-STD-7000A (GEVS), AIAA S-114-2005, NASA-STD-5017, MMPDS, and similar.
- Experience with graphite and fiberglass composites, photovoltaics, flexible circuits, or printed circuit board assemblies.
- Background in the design, manufacturing, and verification of PV systems or composite structures.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (SharePoint, Teams); Microsoft Project experience a plus.
- Training or certification in Lean Six Sigma.
- Strong attention to detail and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Self-motivated, with the ability to independently apply engineering principles and practices.
$145,000 - $180,000/year
For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant’s level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. Additionally, we consider the external market rate, the amount we have budgeted internally, and internal equity within the company for the same position. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will be considered for higher pay.