Project Engineer

Job Title: Project Engineer Systems Engineering (Electromagnetic / Power Systems)Job Description

This Project Engineer role sits within a Systems Engineering organization that designs and delivers first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems for critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications. You will focus on supporting U.S. Navy Ford-class Aircraft Launch and Recovery (ALRE) carrier programs by evaluating and implementing system changes that improve reliability, robustness, and modernization. Working with limited direction, you will exercise considerable latitude in developing engineering solutions, leading technical efforts, and guiding complex projects from engineering change proposals through implementation while supporting fleet operations and restoration activities.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate required changes to U.S. Navy ALRE baselines for modernization, reliability, and robustness improvements and translate them into well-structured Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs).

• Lead the transition of approved Engineering Change Proposals from the development phase into the implementation phase within the functional engineering organization.

• Support troubleshooting and root-cause analysis efforts to assist the fleet with operations and restoration of operations for assigned systems.

• Initiate, develop, and analyze designs, procedures, and techniques to resolve complex technical engineering problems using a systems engineering approach.

• Document technical findings clearly and communicate results to engineering teams, program offices, and customers, including preparing and delivering technical presentations.

• Provide direction and guidance to design and technical staff and lead teams of moderately experienced professional engineers and specialists.

• Perform technical analyses for the development, fabrication, testing, and integration of new or existing systems, ensuring alignment with system architecture and Concept of Operations (CONOPS).

• Coordinate and interface effectively with customers, contractors, and internal engineering groups assigned to projects, serving as a primary technical point of contact when needed.

• Assist in developing program plans, cost estimates, and schedules, including generating systems engineering labor, materials, and travel estimates for proposals.

• Develop innovative yet practical solutions to advanced technical problems, applying appropriate technological advancements and creative approaches.

• Act as a focal point for technical communication within company management and represent the organization as a prime technical contact to customers and government agencies.

• Prepare and present technical reports at engineering meetings, participate in program reviews, and provide expert consulting on challenging engineering issues.

• Offer expert guidance and mentoring to other staff members working on difficult engineering problems and anticipate future engineering needs and required system modifications.

• Collaborate on complex technical issues that require novel and highly creative approaches, potentially assuming technical and engineering responsibility for the success of assigned projects.

• Plan, coordinate, contribute to, and author engineering documentation, including formal reports, design artifacts, and released technical content.

• Develop technical materials and present them at customer design reviews, ensuring clarity, completeness, and alignment with customer requirements.

• Apply Earned Value Management System (EVMS) principles, working with technical design leads to establish estimates to complete work and assess impacts to baseline cost and schedule.

• Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information and ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and obligations when conducting business.

• Work safely and consistently follow established operating procedures and practices in all engineering and project activities.

• Monitor new developments in engineering technology and plan for future applications of solutions to enhance existing or new systems.

• Participate in, or lead, the development of new or expanded business opportunities by contributing technical insight and proposal support.

• Perform other related engineering and project duties as assigned to support program and organizational objectives.

Essential Skills

• 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.

• Typically six or more years of progressive engineering experience with a bachelors degree, four or more years with a masters degree, or two or more years with a PhD.

• Extensive technical expertise in the application of engineering principles, concepts, theories, and practices within complex systems.

• Ability to understand overall system architectures and Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) and apply this understanding to system design, integration, and modification.

• Proven ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate engineering workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones.

• Experience providing project-level or task-level technical leadership, including directing design or technical staff.

• Ability to quickly understand new concepts and apply them accurately in an evolving technical and programmatic environment.

• Demonstrated capability to determine appropriate technical approaches at both task and project levels to solve a range of complex engineering problems.

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to produce clear technical documentation and present complex information to diverse stakeholders.

• Strong presentation and interpersonal skills, enabling effective interfaces with other departments, customers, and external professionals.

• Capability to represent the organization as a prime technical contact and to provide leadership and guidance to less experienced professionals.

• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to formulate plans and solutions based on innovative designs that resolve advanced technical engineering problems.

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Willingness and ability to work extended hours on occasion to support design reviews, milestone deliverables, and surge support needs.

• Willingness and ability to travel within the U.S., estimated at up to 10% of annual working hours.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security Clearance, including meeting all associated eligibility requirements.

• Background or demonstrated capability in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, program management, project management, or aerospace engineering.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in systems engineering for complex defense, aerospace, or naval systems, particularly in support of aircraft launch and recovery or similar mission-critical systems.

• Familiarity with Earned Value Management System (EVMS) principles and experience working with technical design leads to develop estimates to complete and assess cost and schedule impacts.

• Experience generating systems engineering labor, material, and travel estimates for proposals and program planning.

• Prior involvement in developing, authoring, and presenting Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) and related technical documentation.

• Experience leading or contributing to customer design reviews and formal technical reviews.

• Desirable experience in the application of IEEE standards for technical reviews, including familiarity with structured review processes and criteria.

• Demonstrated ability to anticipate future engineering needs and plan modifications or enhancements to meet long-term technical goals.

• Experience collaborating on complex technical issues that require novel and highly creative engineering approaches.

• Exposure to or experience with electromagnetic systems, electric power generation, or other advanced energy-related technologies is beneficial.

Work Environment

The role is based in a high-technology engineering and manufacturing environment focused on electromagnetic and electric power generation systems for defense, industrial, and commercial applications. You will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, program management, customers, and contractors, often participating in formal design reviews, program reviews, and technical meetings. The position requires occasional extended hours to support critical design milestones, reviews, and surge activities, as well as domestic travel of up to approximately 10% of annual working hours to customer sites, test locations, or other company facilities. Work is performed in accordance with established operating procedures and safety practices, with a strong emphasis on protecting sensitive and confidential information and complying with all applicable laws and regulations. The environment values innovation, technical excellence, and collaboration, and provides opportunities to contribute to new and expanding business initiatives while working on first-of-a-kind systems that support mission-critical operations.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

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

Job Type & Location

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

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.

Workplace Type

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.