Project Engineer

Recruit CRM; Goleta (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Recruit CRM seeks an experienced Staff Project Engineer to lead the technical execution of solar array systems and space hardware programs from design through verification and delivery.

This role balances hands-on technical leadership with project/program execution across multiple engineering disciplines and travel is ~10–15%.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience designing, developing, manufacturing, and/or testing aerospace or space hardware.
• Experience designing or developing solar arrays, spacecraft solar power systems, or closely related space hardware.
• Ability to communicate complex technical issues effectively with engineering teams, program leadership, and customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical execution of assigned solar array and space hardware programs.
• Own the technical integrity of projects throughout design, development, manufacturing, test, and delivery.
• Translate program and customer requirements into system-level engineering requirements and detailed technical specifications.
• Coordinate across mechanical, electrical, systems, manufacturing, test, and other engineering disciplines.
• Lead technical design reviews and resolve engineering issues as they arise.
• Develop and review verification plans, validation procedures, and customer acceptance testing.
• Maintain requirements traceability through verification and successful test execution.
• Evaluate system performance using engineering analysis, test results, and technical performance measures.
• Support non-conformance investigations, root-cause analysis, and technical dispositions.
• Serve as a technical point of contact for customers and internal program teams.
• Partner closely with Program Management to maintain alignment across technical scope, schedule, resources, and budget.
• Prepare and present technical documentation, design reviews, program updates, and customer presentations.
• Help establish engineering standards, practices, and processes that improve product development and execution.

Skills

Project leadership

Systems engineering

CAD

Tolerance analysis

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Product Data Management

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Staff Project Engineer to lead the technical execution of advanced solar array systems and space hardware programs from design and development through verification and delivery.

This is a highly technical project engineering position, with the role split approximately 50/50 between hands-on technical leadership and project/program execution. The ideal candidate has direct experience working with solar arrays or related spacecraft hardware and can lead multidisciplinary engineering teams while maintaining responsibility for the technical integrity of the program.

Strong Mechanical Engineers with significant project engineering experience may also be considered if they have the right aerospace and solar-array background.

What You'll Do

• Lead the technical execution of assigned solar array and space hardware programs.
• Own the technical integrity of projects throughout design, development, manufacturing, test, and delivery.
• Translate program and customer requirements into system-level engineering requirements and detailed technical specifications.
• Coordinate across mechanical, electrical, systems, manufacturing, test, and other engineering disciplines.
• Lead technical design reviews and resolve engineering issues as they arise.
• Develop and review verification plans, validation procedures, and customer acceptance testing.
• Maintain requirements traceability through verification and successful test execution.
• Evaluate system performance using engineering analysis, test results, and technical performance measures.
• Support non-conformance investigations, root-cause analysis, and technical dispositions.
• Serve as a technical point of contact for customers and internal program teams.
• Partner closely with Program Management to maintain alignment across technical scope, schedule, resources, and budget.
• Prepare and present technical documentation, design reviews, program updates, and customer presentations.
• Help establish engineering standards, practices, and processes that improve product development and execution.
• Support occasional travel, approximately 10-15%.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience designing, developing, manufacturing, and/or testing aerospace or space hardware.
• Experience designing or developing solar arrays, spacecraft solar power systems, or closely related space hardware.
• Experience leading the technical execution of engineering projects or multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design, manufacturing, integration, and test.
• Proficiency with CAD and product data management systems.
• Knowledge of GD&T, ASME Y14.5, engineering drawings, and tolerance analysis.
• Experience developing technical requirements, verification procedures, and engineering documentation.
• Ability to communicate complex technical issues effectively with engineering teams, program leadership, and customers.
• Experience with root-cause analysis and engineering problem solving.