Project Engineer

PDS Defense; Coral Gables (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

PDS Defense, Inc. in Coral Gables, FL is seeking a Project Engineer to lead cross-disciplinary product development programs in avionics and defense.

You will own schedules, budgets, scope, and risk, coordinating electrical, mechanical, software, and systems engineering teams through DO-160/DO-254/DO-178C-aligned tests and FAA/EASA airworthiness milestones. The role emphasizes strong technical communication, program management, and direct customer engagement with airframe manufacturers to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, Aerospace, or related field.
• 5+ years of engineering experience, preferably in avionics/defense.
• 2+ years leading or managing technical projects with schedules and budgets.
• Knowledge of aerospace development and DO-160/DO-254/DO-178C.
• Ability to read schematics, requirements, test procedures and non-conformance reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication for status updates to engineers and executives.

Responsibilities

• Own schedule, budget, scope, and risk for new product development.
• Develop integrated program schedules across engineering and manufacturing.
• Lead design reviews (PDR/CDR/TRR) to meet milestones.
• Coordinate with FAA/EASA airworthiness and AS9100 processes.
• Interface with customers and airframe manufacturers on status and changes.
• Translate requirements into actionable technical tasks with leads.

Skills

Project management

Technical communication

Systems engineering

Cross-functional coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

DO-160 DO-254 DO-178C

Job description

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Project Engineer, in Coral Gables, FL.

Pay up to 135,000 per year

Job Description:

As a Project Manager you will have substantive conversations with electrical, mechanical, software, test and systems engineers as well as manufacturing supervisors to develop and build new projects - not just track their schedules.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the schedule, budget, scope, and risk register for new product development programs, from requirements capture through RTCA DO-160/DO-254/DO-178C-aligned qualification testing and delivery.
• Build and maintain integrated program schedules across electrical, mechanical, software, and systems engineering disciplines including manufacturing builds of prototypes & initial production units.
• Run design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) and ensure engineering deliverables meet internal gates and customer/regulatory milestones.
• Manage program risk, including supply chain constraints, obsolescence, and technical unknowns; escalate and resolve blockers proactively.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers and airframe manufacturers on program status, technical trade-offs, and change requests.
• Coordinate with quality and customer certification teams to ensure programs stay aligned with FAA/EASA airworthiness requirements and AS9100 processes.
• Participate directly in technical discussions on product offering to customer, design tradeoffs, human-machine interface layout, wiring and connector design, environmental qualification, and integration with aircraft systems.
• Generate product or system specification (SCD) & corresponding Requirements Verification compliance Matrix.
• Review engineering documentation (product requirements, test plans, safety & reliability, non-conformance reports) with enough fluency to catch gaps before they become schedule or quality problems.
• Partner with engineering leads to translate customer and regulatory requirements into actionable technical tasks.
• Identify recurring technical or process bottlenecks and drive improvements to engineering workflows and tooling.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of experience as a practicing engineer, ideally in avionics, aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated industry.
• 2+ years of experience managing or leading technical projects/programs, including schedule, budget, and cross-functional coordination.
• Working knowledge of aerospace development and qualification processes (e.g., DO-160, DO-254, DO-178C).
• Demonstrated ability to read and engage with engineering artifacts: schematics, requirements documents, test procedures, and non-conformance reports.
• Strong communication skills, with experience presenting technical status to both engineers and customers/executives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline, or an MBA paired with a strong engineering background.
• Direct experience with flight deck systems and control/display units, human factors or pilot experience, and aircraft installations.
• PMP or similar project/program management certification.
• Prior experience mentoring engineers or leading a small technical team.
• Familiarity with MRP/ERP systems used in manufacturing.

Benefits offered to vary by the contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.