Program Manager / Engineering Lead

CareerPaths NW; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Paid holidays

401(k) matching

Employer-paid medical premiums

Job summary

CareerPaths NW seeks an experienced Program Manager / Engineering Lead to guide Lunar vehicle subsystem development. You will oversee cross-disciplinary teams across design, card design, fluid hardware, and thermal analysis, from concept through build-start readiness.

The ideal candidate brings strong engineering and project management skills for complex aerospace programs, with proven ability to manage schedules, risks, and stakeholder expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Program Management, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience managing engineering programs or leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of system engineering principles and design verification.
• Experience with MS Project or Smartsheet for schedules and tracking.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams for subsystem design, integration, and verification.
• Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables aligned with milestones.
• Develop and maintain schedules, risk assessments, and resource plans.
• Coordinate design, electrical, thermal, and fluid hardware groups for cohesion.
• Conduct design and program reviews (PDR/CDR) and readiness for build-start.
• Act as liaison between engineering, operations, and leadership to communicate progress.
• Support configuration control, documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes and cross-team efficiency.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

System engineering

Cross-functional teams

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering/Technical Management

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Job description

About the job Program Manager / Engineering Lead

CareerPaths NW is seeking an experienced Program Manager / Engineering Lead to provide technical and programmatic leadership across multiple Lunar vehicle subsystem development efforts. This role oversees the coordination, execution, and delivery of engineering activities spanning design, card design, fluid hardware, and thermal analysis disciplines during preliminary and critical design phases.

The ideal candidate will bring a blend of strong engineering acumen and proven project management expertise in complex aerospace programs. This position requires collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure technical excellence, schedule adherence, and milestone delivery from concept through build-start readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams responsible for subsystem design, integration, and verification.
• Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables aligned with program milestones and technical requirements.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, risk assessments, and resource plans to ensure on-time, high-quality delivery.
• Facilitate coordination between design, electrical, thermal, and fluid hardware engineering groups to ensure system compatibility and cohesive execution.
• Conduct design and program reviews, including PDR/CDR milestones, ensuring readiness for manufacturing and build-start.
• Serve as a key liaison between engineering, operations, and leadership teams to communicate progress, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Support configuration control, documentation, and adherence to quality and regulatory standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes, communication, and cross-team efficiency.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Program Management, or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience managing engineering programs or leading multidisciplinary technical teams in aerospace, defense, or complex system development.
• Demonstrated success delivering programs through preliminary and critical design phases.
• Strong understanding of system engineering principles, design verification, and production readiness.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent).
• Excellent organizational, leadership, and communication skills with the ability to interface across technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Engineering or Technical Management.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams supporting spaceflight or mission-critical hardware.
• Familiarity with risk management, Earned Value Management (EVM), or other performance tracking methodologies.
• Experience coordinating teams using agile or hybrid project methodologies.

Our Diverse and Inclusive Culture

CareerPaths NW is a Seattle-based, minority-owned staffing and recruiting firm proudly serving clients and candidates for more than 17 years. Were passionate about connecting great people with meaningful opportunities and fostering a workplace built on trust, collaboration, and respect.

We value integrity, transparency, and genuine partnership, and we believe diverse perspectives make us stronger.

Benefits include:

• Up to three weeks of paid time off (PTO)
• Eleven paid holidays
• Matching 401(k) plan
• 100% employer-paid medical insurance premiums

CareerPaths NW is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.