Project Engineer

This Project Engineer role sits within a Systems Engineering department that designs and supports advanced electromagnetic and electric power generation systems for defense, industrial, and commercial applications. You focus on U.S. Navy Ford-class Aircraft Launch and Recovery (ALRE) carrier programs, evaluating and proposing modernization and reliability enhancements, leading Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) from concept through implementation, and supporting fleet operations and troubleshooting. Working with limited direction, you exercise significant technical judgment, lead cross-functional teams, and serve as a key consulting resource for complex engineering challenges.

• Evaluate changes to U.S. Navy ALRE baselines to support modernization, improved reliability, and enhanced robustness, and present those changes in the form of Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs).
• Lead the transition of ECPs from development phases into implementation within the functional engineering organization, ensuring technical integrity and alignment with program objectives.
• Assist in troubleshooting efforts to support fleet operations and restoration of operations for ALRE and related systems.
• Document technical findings, analyze results, and communicate conclusions to engineering teams, program offices, and customers in clear written and verbal formats.
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations and represent the organization as a prime technical contact on assigned projects.
• Provide direction and guidance to design and technical staff, and lead teams of moderately experienced professionals to achieve project goals.
• Apply systems engineering approaches to perform technical analysis, judgment, and trade studies for the development, fabrication, testing, and integration of new or existing systems.
• Coordinate and interface with customers, contractors, and internal engineering groups to ensure effective collaboration and alignment on project requirements and deliverables.
• Assist in developing program plans, cost estimates, and schedules, and contribute to the creation of realistic and achievable project baselines.
• Generate systems engineering labor hours, materials, and travel estimates for proposals and other planning activities.
• Develop innovative yet practical solutions to advanced technical problems in engineering, including novel approaches to complex design and integration challenges.
• Serve as a focal point for technical communication within company management and represent the organization as a prime technical contact to customers and government regulatory agencies.
• Present reports at engineering meetings, participate in program reviews, and consult on complex technical issues across multiple programs.
• Provide expert guidance and consulting support to other staff members working on difficult engineering problems, mentoring and coaching less experienced engineers.
• Anticipate future engineering needs and identify modifications or new solutions required to achieve long-term technical goals.
• Collaborate on complex and challenging technical issues that require creative, systems-level thinking and cross-disciplinary coordination.
• Assume technical and engineering responsibility for the success of assigned projects, including technical risk identification and mitigation.
• Plan, coordinate, contribute to, and author engineering documentation, including technical reports, design documentation, release packages, and presentation materials.
• Develop technical materials and present content at customer design reviews and other formal technical review forums.
• Apply Earned Value Management System (EVMS) principles and work with technical design leads to establish estimates to complete, and assess impacts to baseline cost and schedule.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive and proprietary information and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and obligations in all business activities.
• Work in a safe manner, following established operating procedures and practices, and promote a strong safety culture within project teams.
• Plan for future applications of solutions based on emerging developments in engineering technology and industry best practices.
• Participate in, or lead, the development of new or expanded business opportunities by contributing technical insight and innovative concepts.
• Perform other related engineering and project duties as assigned to support program and organizational objectives.

• Bachelors degree, masters degree, or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution, or equivalent engineering experience in lieu of formal education.
• Progressive engineering experience: typically six or more years with a bachelors degree, four or more years with a masters degree, or two or more years with a PhD.
• Extensive technical expertise and strong application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice in a complex systems environment.
• Ability to understand and work with overall system architectures and Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), including system-level interactions and performance considerations.
• Demonstrated capability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate workloads to meet established deadlines and milestones.
• Experience in project leadership, including guiding technical teams, managing tasks, and supporting program objectives.
• Ability to quickly understand new concepts and apply them accurately in an evolving technical and programmatic environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to determine appropriate approaches at the task or project level and deliver solutions to complex engineering problems.
• Excellent communication skills, including clear technical writing, effective verbal communication, and confident presentation abilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills enabling effective collaboration with cross-functional departments and professionals, and the ability to represent the organization as a prime technical contact.
• Customer-focused mindset, with the ability to formulate plans and solutions based on innovative design approaches to advanced technical engineering problems.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness and ability to work extended hours on occasion to support design reviews, milestone deliverables, or surge support needs.
• Ability to travel within the U.S., estimated up to 10% of annual working hours.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security Clearance.

• Background in manufacturing engineering, with exposure to production environments and processes.
• Experience in mechanical engineering, including design, analysis, and integration of mechanical systems.
• Program management and project management experience, particularly in complex, multi-stakeholder engineering programs.
• Experience in the aerospace domain, such as aircraft systems, launch and recovery systems, or other aerospace-related technologies.
• Familiarity with systems engineering best practices and lifecycle processes for development, fabrication, testing, and integration.
• Desirable experience with the application of IEEE standards for technical reviews, including preparation and participation in formal review processes.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and present technical materials for customer design reviews and internal technical forums.
• Exposure to Earned Value Management System (EVMS) principles and practices, including cost and schedule performance tracking.

You work in a highly technical, engineering-driven environment focused on first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems that support fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications. The role is primarily office and lab-based, with regular interaction with multidisciplinary engineering teams, program offices, customers, contractors, and government stakeholders. You participate in design reviews, program meetings, and technical reviews, occasionally working extended hours to meet critical milestones and deliverables. Travel within the United States is expected to be up to approximately 10% of annual working hours to support customer meetings, design reviews, and on-site technical activities. The environment emphasizes safety, confidentiality of sensitive information, adherence to established operating procedures, and a culture of innovation and collaboration in solving advanced engineering problems. Dress is generally aligned with a professional engineering and office setting, with appropriate attire for customer meetings, reviews, and visits to technical or manufacturing areas as required.

This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $170000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Competitve Salary, medical benefits and 401k offered

This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 12, 2026.

This is a hybrid position in Poway,CA.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.