Project Engineer

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero); San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness plans

120 hours of Paid Time Off

401(k) with company match

Casual dress code

Job summary

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero) is looking for a Project Engineer in San Luis Obispo, California. This role connects technical design with project management, ensuring successful delivery of engineering projects while maintaining quality standards and adherence to budget.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, significant leadership experience, and a strong understanding of UAS architectures. Benefits include comprehensive health plans and 401(k) contributions.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in leadership roles and 7+ years in aircraft engineering.
• Experience in aircraft engineering disciplines like propulsion or avionics.
• Ability to manage complex engineering projects effectively.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical lead for programs.
• Monitor project progress and report to stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Technical understanding of UAS architectures

Project management tools

Exceptional organizational skills

Excellent communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Project

MATLAB

SolidWorks

Job description

Job Summary

The Project Engineer serves as the connection between technical design, program management, and manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for technical planning, execution, and successful delivery of engineering projects. The Project Engineer ensures technical excellence, adherence to schedule and budget requirements, and full compliance with all quality standards.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Serve as the primary technical lead for assigned programs, taking ownership of the project lifecycle from requirements gathering to production.
• Collaborate with Program Management to develop and execute integrated project plans and schedules.
• Monitor and report on project progress (schedule, budget, and technical milestones) to leadership, customers, and key stakeholders.
• Drive issue resolution across all disciplines, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions to address technical and project challenges and blockers.
• Support developing and reviewing technical requirements and specifications for components, systems, and subsystems, ensuring they meet programmatic and customer needs.
• Coordinate day‑to‑day engineering activities and ensure seamless integration and alignment across multidisciplinary teams (Systems, Software, Electrical, Mechanical, and Manufacturing).
• Coordinate and lead design and technical reviews to ensure engineering solutions meet performance, quality, and safety standards.
• Create and maintain detailed documentation for designs, testing, and modifications. Collaborate with design engineers to manage Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) and maintain BOM accuracy.
• Interface with quality, supply chain, and operations to ensure build readiness. Support hardware development, test execution, and data collection for prototype systems.
• Identify and track engineering performance metrics.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements and actively identify, assess, and mitigate project risks.
• Mentor and guide junior team members, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing environment.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering related discipline.
• 3+ years of prior leadership roles (technical lead, management, etc.).
• 7+ years of experience in one or more aircraft engineering disciplines (propulsion, avionics, software, structures, mechanical systems, or systems engineering).
• Strong technical understanding of UAS architectures.
• Experience with project management and tracking tools (e.g., Microsoft Project) and exposure to engineering software (e.g., MATLAB, Jama, SolidWorks).
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail to keep complex engineering deliverables aligned with program milestones.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, capable of presenting complex technical information clearly to technical and non‑technical stakeholders (customers, leadership, and engineers).
• Ability to quickly grasp complex systems and communicate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• US Person (Citizen or Green Card).

Desired Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Technical Management.
• Experience working with complex UAS.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Project.
• Experience with EVMS (Earned Value Management System) for tracking project performance against cost and schedule baselines.
• Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma principles or Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies such as 8D or Fishbone.
• Prior experience in a high‑growth startup environment or “Skunkworks” style rapid prototyping lab.

Comprehensive Benefits & Perks

• Health & Wellness: Choose from three health, dental, and vision plans – including a 100% employer‑paid option covering employees and their families.
• Paid Time Off: 120 hours of PTO, 80 hours accrued plus an additional 40 hours of holiday break pay in addition to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day off.
• Life Insurance: $25,000 employer‑paid life insurance policy, with the option to purchase additional coverage for employees and their families.
• Supplemental Coverage: Optional benefits such as Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness with Skin Cancer coverage.
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Tax‑advantaged HSA to manage medical expenses.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) with a company match.
• Paid Holidays: 9 paid holidays throughout the year.
• Work Environment: Casual dress code, complimentary snacks, and a welcoming company culture.
• Location: Opportunities to work in an area with an outstanding quality of life – a perfect place to live, work, and play.

Location

• This position is fully on‑site at ESAero in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Legal and Additional Information

• ESAero is an equal opportunity employer.
• E‑Verify participation required for employment.
• Must present proof of authorization to work in the United States.
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Pay Range: $140,000 – $180,000 Salary Exempt.