Project Engineer III, Composites

Socket.dev; Mukilteo (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

HSA with company contribution

FSA

Company-paid life and AD&D insurance

Short- and long-term disability

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense is seeking a Project Engineer III to lead technical execution across aerospace and defense programs, coordinating engineering, manufacturing, tooling, and production to meet cost, schedule, and technical requirements.

You will serve as the primary technical focal point and work with cross‑functional teams to resolve production challenges while ensuring mission‑critical hardware meets standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing, industrial engineering, or related field.
• 4+ years in engineering/manufacturing/project execution within aerospace/defense.
• Experience supporting development, manufacturing, assembly, testing, or production ops.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Strong problem solving and time management; customer-facing experience.
• DoD Secret clearance or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Leads technical execution of aerospace and defense programs from development through production.
• Translates requirements into manufacturing and production plans.
• Owns integrated program planning, schedules, and milestones.
• Develops and releases manufacturing documentation.
• Leads tooling and manufacturing strategies for accuracy and efficiency.
• Drives shop-floor readiness and resolves production issues.
• Interfaces with customers for design reviews and program updates.
• Coordinates cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain.
• Manages scope changes and Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs).
• Monitors program performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Supports procurement planning to meet timelines.
• Assists in proposal development and cost/schedule inputs.

Skills

Problem solving

Time management

Cross-functional collaboration

Customer interaction

GD&T interpretation

Manufacturing experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, or related field

Tools

CAD (SolidWorks)

Job description

Project Engineer III

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role is part of our Hypersonics and Strategic Missile Defense business, which designs, develops, and delivers highly dependable missile systems for hypersonic and strategic missile defense missions. We provide integrated, mission-ready hardware that brings together multiple technologies into unified systems engineered to perform in demanding operational environments. Our tip-to-tail capabilities include payload protection and deployment systems, propulsion systems, aerodynamic interstage systems, separation systems, missile subsystems, shroud systems, launch systems, and payload integration solutions.

As a Project Engineer III, you lead technical execution across complex aerospace and defense programs by integrating engineering, manufacturing, tooling, and production objectives. You serve as a primary technical focal point, coordinating cross‑functional teams, supporting development through manufacturing and assembly, resolving production challenges, and ensuring mission‑critical hardware meets cost, schedule, and technical requirements. If you enjoy guiding engineering programs from concept through production in a fast‑moving environment, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities

• Leads technical execution of aerospace and defense programs from development through production, ensuring alignment across design, manufacturing, and delivery requirements.


• Translates engineering requirements into executable manufacturing and production plans, including process development, tooling strategies, and production flow.


• Owns integrated program planning, including schedule development, critical path management, and production readiness milestones.


• Develops, reviews, and releases manufacturing documentation such as work instructions, travelers, process specifications, and production planning documents.


• Leads tooling and manufacturing strategies to ensure dimensional accuracy, repeatability, efficiency, and scalability.


• Drives manufacturing readiness and shop floor execution, resolving real‑time production issues while maintaining program objectives.


• Serves as the primary technical interface with customers, supporting design reviews, program updates, technical interchange meetings, and issue resolution.


• Leads cross‑functional coordination across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and suppliers to ensure program success.


• Leads root cause analysis and corrective action activities for manufacturing, assembly, and quality issues.


• Manages program scope changes and Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), evaluating impacts to design, manufacturing, schedule, and cost.


• Monitors and reports program performance, including schedule status, cost exposure, production metrics, risks, and opportunities.


• Supports procurement and material readiness planning to ensure hardware and components meet program timelines.


• Supports proposal development and estimating activities, including manufacturing assumptions, tooling requirements, lead times, and cost/schedule inputs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, or a related field.


• Four or more years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, production, or project execution within aerospace, defense, or related industries.


• Experience supporting product development, manufacturing, assembly, testing, or production operations.


• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD\\&T) requirements.


• Strong problem‑solving skills, including experience resolving nonconformances and corrective actions.


• Strong time management skills with the ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously.


• Experience interacting directly with customers and cross‑functional teams.


• A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Computer‑Aided Design (CAD) tools such as SolidWorks or equivalent.


• Understanding of tooling, manufacturing processes, production planning, and configuration management.


• Familiarity with aerospace quality systems, change management, and nonconformance processes.


• Experience in lean manufacturing or rate production environments.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance


• 401(k) with company match


• Paid time off


• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution


• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)


• Company‑paid life and AD\\&D insurance


• Short‑and long‑term disability coverage


• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.