Principal Project Engineer, Photonic System Development (San Diego)

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Senior Principal Project Engineer. As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands‑on role for a self‑starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting edge technologies, work closely with leadership, and develop and implement engineering practices that support our mission and growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads planning and execution of development projects, responsible for project scope, schedule and budget. Represents the company in front of customers and collaborates with functional managers within Engineering and cross‑functionally to assure successful project execution.
• Manages matrixed technical team through schedule bottlenecks, uncertainty, lack of information and sudden changes, while screening team from external turbulence and assuring highest productivity and focus on success.
• Provides technical, logistical and problem‑solving leadership, develops and employs best engineering practices. Anticipates risks and identifies opportunities, then manages both through the projects.
• Responsible for project execution per internally and customer defined processes, reaching, documenting and defending project milestones: requirement, design and test readiness reviews, integration and test events, test reports, installation and support activities.

• This position requires access to export‑controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Experience

• Advanced degree in Engineering or a related field.
• 8 years of relevant experience (including pursuit of relevant higher education), ideally within a startup or technology company.

Skills

• Proven record of successfully leading a photonic system development project using a structured development process.
• Expert in a subset of technical areas: systems engineering, optics and photonics, AMO physics, control theory, opto‑mechanics, electrical and software engineering.

Startup Mindset

• You're creative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats.
• You're passionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change.

The expected annual salary range for this position is $150,000-$200,000.

As a full‑time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
• 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
• 13 paid company holidays
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.