Project Engineer III

Panasonic Avionics Corporation; Lake Forest (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible-hybrid work

Unlimited PTO

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) match

Job summary

Panasonic Avionics Corporation seeks an Engineering Project Lead for In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity systems. You will manage integration engineering from initiation to delivery, including scope, interfaces, requirements, and mentor a growing team.

You will develop detailed project schedules, coordinate with departments and external partners, and ensure compliance with AS9100 and regulatory standards across multiple aircraft programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or 9+ years in engineering/project engineering.
• 5+ years in electrical, mechanical, and/or systems engineering.
• PMP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple integration engineering solutions for IFEC installation across seats, cabins, and aircraft structures.
• Create and manage SOWs for IFEC integration and coordinate with internal/external teams.
• Review designs, identify risks, and ensure compliance with standards and requirements.
• Mentor junior engineers and support training within the department.
• Coordinate schedules, resources, and vendor proposals to align with program milestones.
• Maintain stakeholder communication with ITCM, PDR, and CDR updates.

Skills

Leadership

PM methodologies

MS Project

Primavera

Jira

SAFe

Jama

AS9100 knowledge

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or related engineering

PMP certification (preferred)

Tools

MS Project

Primavera

Jira

SAFe

Jama

Job description

Overview

Panasonic Avionics Corporation is a leader in inflight entertainment and communication products, delivering movies, games, live TV, Wi‑Fi, and Internet services. We also expand our GEO connectivity network into the LEO space and are committed to a diverse and inclusive culture.

Position

Engineering Project Lead for In‑Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) systems on aircraft. Responsible for managing engineering efforts from initiation to delivery, including scope management, integration engineering solutions, design requirements, interface coordination with internal and external customers, and mentoring junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Engineering Project Solutions
  • Develop multiple integration engineering solutions for installing IFEC in seats, monuments, and other cabin areas, and across aircraft structures.
  • Create and manage the statement of work (SOW) for IFEC integration.
  • Conduct technical evaluations and analyses to ensure feasibility and efficiency of solutions.
  • Provide technical guidance and support to internal and external teams, leading technical kickoffs and establishing engineering plans.
  • Troubleshoot engineering problems and identify effective solutions during design, testing, and implementation.
  • Review integration engineering designs, drawings, and specifications to assure compliance with design requirements.
  • Identify and manage engineering risks, building mitigation strategies.
  • Ensure compliance with engineering standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Execute quality control processes to verify integrity and performance of designs and deliverables.
• Planning
  • Develop detailed project schedules with milestones, deliverables, and timelines.
  • Coordinate with department teams on task durations, dependencies, and resource allocation.
  • Facilitate regular design review meetings to evaluate progress, risks, and schedule adherence.
  • Review technical aspects of vendor proposals and select suppliers based on engineering requirements.
  • Manage relationships with external partners to ensure deliverables meet quality and schedule expectations.
  • Integrate project schedules with the master Program Management schedule and ensure alignment with stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with Program teams to adjust resource plans as schedules change.
• Stakeholder Communication
  • Prepare communications defining project scope status, including ITCM, PDR, and CDR updates for stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with Sales to develop commercial proposals, define engineering services, and reconcile costs.
  • Act as liaison between design engineers and internal/external stakeholders.
• Mentor
  • Mentor, train, and assist junior team members.
  • Assist with departmental and new employee training.

Knowledge / Skill Requirements

• Demonstrated experience leading and managing projects.
• Proven leadership with technical competencies in engineering principles, project management methodologies, and industry standards.
• Experience reviewing designs and building integration plans to meet requirements.
• Adaptability across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Excellent communication skills and professional demeanor.
• Self‑motivated, well organized, and detail oriented.
• Strong time‑management and multitasking abilities.
• Risk identification and mitigation skills.
• Creative problem‑solving and conflict resolution.
• Independent judgment to complete projects accurately and on‑time.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management software (MS Project, Primavera, Jira, SAFe, Jama, etc.).
• Knowledge of AS9100 standards and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to mentor colleagues and junior staff.

Qualifications

• Education / Experience Requirements
  • Bachelor's Degree (B.S.) in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or related engineering field, or 9+ years of engineering/project engineering experience.
  • 5+ years of experience in electrical, mechanical, and/or systems engineering.
  • Experience in commercial aviation industry preferred.
  • PMP certification preferred.
• Other Requirements
  • Ability to travel up to 20% of the time, domestically and internationally.

Salary range: $100,000 to $167,000. Final offer varies by skills, experience, and location. Additional discretionary bonuses may be awarded.

Our Principles

• Contribution to Society
• Fairness & Honesty
• Cooperation & Team Spirit
• Untiring Effort for Improvement
• Courtesy & Humility
• Adaptability
• Gratitude

Benefits

• Flexible‑hybrid work opportunities.
• Unlimited PTO for exempt salaried employees; tiered accrual for non‑exempt hourly employees.
• Medical insurance (Aetna, Kaiser), dental, vision, and other health plans.
• 401(k) with 50% match up to 8%.
• Wellness program, counseling services, FSA & HSA, life insurance, AD&D, disability, critical illness, accident, legal assistance, pet insurance, identity theft protection, dependent care, education assistance, commuter program, employee purchase program, service award program.

Panasonic is an equal‑opportunity/affirmative‑action employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. and may be required to perform pre‑employment drug testing for safety‑sensitive positions.