Principal Project Engineer, Light Engines Electronics and Firmware

Monarch Quantum; California; On-site; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer?

20 paid time off (PTO) days per year

13 paid company holidays

9/80 work schedule (every other Friday

Job summary

Monarch Quantum is seeking a Principal Project Engineer to lead cross-disciplinary electronics, firmware and software initiatives for next‑generation light engine systems. This hands‑on role requires owning technical direction with minimal oversight in a fast-paced startup environment.

You will mentor engineers, drive program-level risk management and ensure milestones from requirements through test readiness. A strong EE/CE background and startup experience are essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience in startup or technology companies.
• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• Proven track record leading complex multi-disciplinary development projects.

Responsibilities

• Owns planning and execution of complex, multi-disciplinary development projects with scope, schedule and budget accountability.
• Leads matrixed technical teams through bottlenecks and changes to maximize productivity and success.
• Drives technical leadership across electrical, firmware and software disciplines and promotes engineering best practices.
• Owns project execution per defined processes including reviews, integration and test events.
• Mentors engineers and project leads and influences engineering strategy and process maturity.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Embedded firmware

Software engineering

Systems engineering

Control theory

Project leadership

Education

Advanced degree in EE/CE

Job description

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Principal Project Engineer, Principal Project Engineer, Light Engines Electronics and Firmware. 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 and is ready to own technical direction with minimal oversight. You’ll have the opportunity to work on cutting edge electronics, firmware, and software for next-generation light engine systems, work closely with leadership, and define the engineering practices that support our mission and growth. Your key responsibilities are as follows:

• Owns planning and execution of complex, multi-disciplinary development projects, with full accountability for project scope, schedule and budget. Represents the company in front of customers and sets technical direction in collaboration with functional managers.
• Leads matrixed technical teams thru schedule bottlenecks, uncertainty, lack of information and sudden changes, while screening the team from external turbulence and assuring highest productivity and focus on success.
• Drives technical, logistical and problem-solving leadership across electrical, firmware and software disciplines; establishes and champions best engineering practices across the organization. Anticipates risks and identifies opportunities at the program level, then manages both thru the projects.
• Owns 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.
• Mentors other engineers and project leads, and influences engineering strategy and process maturity beyond the scope of any single project.

• 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 Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience (including pursuit of relevant higher education), ideally within a startup or technology company.

Skills:

• Proven record of successfully leading complex electrical, firmware, and/or software development projects using a structured development process.
• Expert in a subset of technical areas: electrical engineering (analog/digital/power electronics), embedded firmware, software engineering (controls, test, and automation), systems engineering, control theory.
• Exposure to optics, photonics, opto-mechanics, or AMO physics is a plus but not required.

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 $175,000-$225,000.

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.