Project Management Specialist

Project Management Coordinator - ContractOur client is a defense technology company on a mission to transform capabilities with advanced technology. Defense tech just had its biggest venture funding year ever, and 2026 opened near record highs - investors have poured billions in, and the sector keeps smashing its own records. This is an exciting opportunity to jump into a category that's rapidly hiring, well-capitalized, and not slowing down.The opportunityOur client's Design team builds the physical show models and prototypes of the company's products - the hardware you see on their site, at trade shows, and in their showrooms. Think Autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, robotics, drones - for someone who wants their work to touch the physical world, this is a great opportunity to see work come to life. Right now, the team that produces these builds doesn't have a dedicated project manager keeping things on track. This contract role comes in to be that person: taking the logistical and coordination load off the builders so they can focus on the work. You'd partner closely with industrial design, operations, creative, and engineers, helping move projects along from concept through delivery.What you'll doCoordinate and track prototype and show-model projects end to end, keeping timelines, logistics, and hand-offs movingSupport the build team day to day - the "single point of contact" who keeps projects honest and on scheduleManage vendor relationships (e.g., print producers and fabrication partners) for new builds and refurbishmentsHelp track and tag hardware, prototypes, and show models, and flag risks before they become problemsCoordinate the logistics of getting show models to trade shows, events, and showroomsKeep internal stakeholders informed and turn meeting notes into clear next stepsWhat we're looking forExperience coordinating or project-managing physical products, hardware, or similarComfort in a fast-moving, iterative environment where priorities shiftStrong organization and communication; a self-starter who's happy to be the connective tissue across a teamSomeone who can work fully on-site in Costa MesaBackgrounds that could be a fitCoordinators / PMs from physical products, computer-hardware, or similar environmentsPeople from experiential, trade-show, or brand-activation / pop-up work - especially if they've been responsible for physical product on a show floorAnyone with a genuine feel for how physical products get built, and a little exposure to how engineering brings a design to life