Lead Project Engineer

FlightSafety International; Broken Arrow (OK); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

FlightSafety International, a world leader in aviation training and flight simulation, seeks a Lead Project Engineer to plan, manage, and deliver complex military flight simulation programs. You will bridge engineering management and execution, coordinating across software, mechanical, electrical, and visual systems with military customers and prime contractors.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in Engineering and 5+ years in aerospace/defense, including at least 2 years in leadership, with strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, or Systems) or related field.
• 5+ years engineering experience in aerospace/defense/simulation; at least 2 years in leadership roles.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional engineering teams through full dev lifecycle.
• Strong proficiency with project management tools (MS Project, Jira) and metrics tracking.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical execution of complex military flight simulation projects from concept to delivery.
• Serve as primary technical interface for internal teams, external customers, and prime contractors.
• Assist Program Manager with technical plans, schedules, budgets, and support strategies.
• Coordinate day-to-day technical efforts across software, mechanical, electrical, visuals, and technicians.
• Track progress and milestones; report status to stakeholders.
• Identify risks; implement mitigation and manage Change Proposals (ECPs).
• Drive master integration schedule from hardware fabrication to testing and qualification.
• Ensure designs meet customer specs, military standards, and internal QA requirements.
• Provide hands-on problem resolution during integration and testing phases.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Jira

MS Project

Jama

DOORS

Job description

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FlightSafety International is the world’s premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems and displays to commercial, government and military organizations. The company provides training for pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals from 167 countries and independent territories. FlightSafety operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full-flight simulators and award-winning maintenance training at Learning Centers and training locations in the United States, Canada, France and the United Kingdom.

Purpose of Position

FlightSafety is a global leader in developing and delivering high-fidelity flight simulation and training systems for both commercial and military aviation. We design advanced simulators and integrated training environments that help pilots and crews train safely, effectively, and efficiently. Our engineering teams work at the intersection of aerospace, software, and systems innovation to push the boundaries of realism, fidelity, and performance.

The Lead Project Engineer (LPE) is the primary technical leader responsible for the planning, execution, and delivery of complex military flight simulation programs. This role bridges technical engineering management and project execution—serving as the central point of contact for the engineering team, program management, and the military customer. The LPE ensures the flight simulation training device is designed, integrated, and qualified on schedule, within budget, and in strict compliance with defense and contractual requirements.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The following duties are essential to the successful and satisfactory performance of this job. Other duties may be assigned based on departmental needs.

• Technical Execution & Leadership: Lead the technical execution of complex military flight simulation projects from initial concept through final system delivery.
• Primary Point of Contact: Serve as the primary technical interface for internal multi-disciplinary engineering teams, external military customers, and prime contractors.
• Program Management Collaboration: Assist the Program Manager with the development and maintenance of technical project plans, master schedules, budgets, and customer support strategies.
• Cross-Disciplinary Coordination: Coordinate and align day-to-day technical efforts across software engineering, mechanical design, electrical engineering, visual systems, and simulator technicians.
• Milestone Tracking & Reporting: Track engineering progress and milestones using appropriate tools (e.g., Jira, MS Project) to identify critical path items and report project status to stakeholders.
• Risk & Change Management: Proactively identify technical risks, implement mitigation strategies to prevent schedule slips, and evaluate the scope impact of Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs).
• Integration & Lifecycle Management: Drive the master integration schedule, coordinating the transition from hardware fabrication and software builds to full system testing and military qualification.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure all engineering work and system designs strictly align with customer specifications, military regulatory standards, and internal company quality requirements.
• Hands-On Problem Resolution: Facilitate rapid technical problem resolution and provide hands‑on support during critical simulator integration and testing phases.
• Proposal & Business Development Support: Support the Systems Engineering team in proposal development, engineering cost estimation, and technical presentations for new projects and contract modifications.
• Operational Flexibility: Travel, shift work, and special work hours may be required to accomplish integration milestones, customer acceptance testing, and on‑site deployment tasks.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, or Systems), Computer Science, or another highly relevant technical field.
• 5+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace, defense, or flight simulation industry, including at least 2 years in project leadership, cost-account management, or technical team lead roles.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Required:
• Proven experience leading cross-functional engineering teams through the full development lifecycle of complex aerospace or simulation hardware/software systems
• Strong proficiency in engineering project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira) and schedule management
• Experience tracking engineering metrics, milestones, and budgeting (e.g., CAM or EVMS methodologies)
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to present complex technical topics confidently to military officers, government civilians, and corporate executives
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain DoD Secret Clearance
• Preferred:
• Direct experience managing the delivery of military Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs)
• Familiarity with systems engineering frameworks, configuration management practices, and requirements tracking tools (e.g., Jama, DOORS)
• Knowledge of military acquisition processes and defense standards (e.g., MIL-STD-882E for system safety, RMF for cybersecurity)
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met and or encountered by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of the Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

FlightSafety is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of required compliance reviews, including verification that the candidate is not prohibited from employment under U.S. economic sanctions programs administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

This position may require access to export-controlled technology or services subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Employment consideration and any offer of employment are contingent upon the applicant’s ability to comply with these requirements, including qualifying as a “U.S. Person” under applicable regulations or otherwise eligible for export authorization within a timeframe consistent with business needs. A “U.S. Person” includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (holders of approved and unexpired green cards), and certain refugees or asylees with protected status under U.S. law.

This position may also require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance for the duration of employment.

Cybersecurity Notice: All official recruiting communication from FlightSafety International will come from an @flightsafety.com email address. FlightSafety International will never ask for personal or financial information through social media or third-party email providers.

Nearest Major Market: Tulsa
Nearest Secondary Market: Oklahoma