Project Engineer III

AV; Simi Valley (CA); On-site; USD 100,500 - 153,250; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. in California is seeking a Project Engineer III to ensure success of technical deliverables across design, analysis, prototype, integration, and verification, and to assist in new product launches to production.

The role requires coordinating cross-disciplinary teams, developing subsystem specifications, participating in prototype builds, and managing day-to-day technical activities to keep projects on schedule and within budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related engineering field or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• 5–8 years of related technical experience in product development.
• Experience with full product development life cycle from concept to production.
• Experience with product development methods and best practices.
• Experience working with integrated product teams.

Responsibilities

• Improve product development processes using lessons learned and best practices such as modeling and simulation, design reviews, DFMEA, Six Sigma/lean product development, DFX, and customer feedback.
• Coordinate cross-discipline teams through meetings and progress measurement activities, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Develop subsystem specifications, conduct characterization and performance evaluations in support of system requirements.
• Participate in prototype builds, collaborating with key suppliers, contractors, and third‑party design service providers/consultants.
• Manage day‑to‑day technical aspects of the project, including facilitating cross‑discipline decision making, design reviews, defect tracking, engineering task/schedule/status management, issue resolution, and risk management.
• Introduce tools to improve project engineering excellence.
• Resolve a wide range of issues in creative ways and analyze data requiring evaluation of identifiable factors.
• Work on problems of diverse scope with minimal instruction on day‑to‑day work.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Product development lifecycle

Cross-functional teamwork

Design reviews/DFMEA

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Advanced technical degree preferred

Job description

Job Overview

Project Engineer III is responsible for ensuring the success of project technical deliverables in collaboration with chief engineers, subsystem technical leads, engineering functional managers, and project managers. The role involves working with engineering teams through design, analysis, prototype, integration, troubleshooting, and verification, and assisting in new product launches to production.

Responsibilities

• Improve product development processes by employing lessons learned and best practices such as modeling and simulation, design reviews, DFMEA, Six Sigma/lean product development, DFX, and customer feedback.
• Coordinate cross-discipline teams through meetings and progress measurement activities, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Develop subsystem specifications, conduct characterization and performance evaluations in support of system requirements.
• Participate in prototype builds, collaborating with key suppliers, contractors, and third‑party design service providers/consultants.
• Manage day‑to‑day technical aspects of the project, including facilitating cross‑discipline decision making, design reviews, defect tracking, engineering task/schedule/status management, issue resolution, and risk management.
• Introduce tools to improve project engineering excellence.
• Resolve a wide range of issues in creative ways and analyze data requiring evaluation of identifiable factors.
• Work on problems of diverse scope with minimal instruction on day‑to‑day work.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related engineering field or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of 5–8 years of related technical experience in product development.
• Proven experience with the full product development life cycle from concept to production, including launching new products to production.
• Experience executing product development methods and best practices.
• Experience working with integrated product teams.
• Broad‑based technical knowledge across engineering disciplines to understand and evaluate design and development activity.
• Strong organization, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to analyze the assigned project, break down work into functional disciplines or subsystems, and create design/development plans.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Advanced technical degree preferred.
• Familiarity with aerospace/military/defense contracting environment highly desirable.
• Demonstrated good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
• Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and success in delivering products that meet requirements on time and within budget.
• Ability to excel in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment where small teams share a broad variety of duties.
• Strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives.
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products.
• Committed to learning from mistakes and improving performance for self, others, and the company.
• Effective problem‑solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Focuses on teamwork and collaboration, putting the team’s success above individual interests.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (constant).
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (frequent).

Clearance Level

No Clearance.

Salary Range

$100,500 – $153,250.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information subject to ITAR and/or EAR compliance. Applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR and EAR regulations. U.S. citizenship may be required for certain contract positions. The role is subject to export control laws and licensing requirements.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule, and a paid holiday shutdown.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/affirmative action employer, including for disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. welcomes all qualified applicants. Candidates will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected status.