Project Engineer in Simi Valley

Energy Jobline ZR; Simi Valley (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Energy Jobline ZR is seeking a seasoned Project Engineer Leader in California to drive aerospace and defense programs from concept through production. You will lead cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, and finance to deliver on-time, within scope and budget.

The role requires strong leadership, deep project-management skills, and a track record of deploying lean and Kaizen methodologies to optimize cost and schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in engineering or related technical field.
• 5+ years in engineering, project execution, manufacturing or operations in aerospace/defense.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams without direct reporting line.
• Strong planning, analytical, and communication skills.
• Experience with lean methodologies and structured problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional Integrated Product Teams throughout the full project lifecycle from development through production.
• Own project execution, including scope, schedule, cost, risk, and technical performance.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, milestones, and execution strategies aligned with customer and business objectives.
• Partner closely with Program Managers to align project execution with contractual requirements and customer expectations.
• Coordinate engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, and finance teams to ensure on-time project delivery.
• Monitor project performance, identify risks, implement mitigation plans, and drive timely resolution of issues.
• Manage project budgets, cost forecasts, variance analysis, and recovery plans to meet financial objectives.
• Lead technical, cost, and schedule trade studies while providing recommendations to project stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives through structured problem-solving and Lean methodologies.
• Support proposal development by contributing execution plans, schedules, cost estimates, and risk assessments.
• Ensure successful transition of projects from development into production.
• Communicate project status, risks, and performance metrics to leadership while driving accountability across cross-functional teams.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Risk management

Cost/schedule control

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Join a growing aerospace and defense engineering organization leading the development and production of mission-critical technologies supporting space, defense, and security programs. This opportunity is ideal for an experienced Project Engineer Leader who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and enjoys leading cross-functional teams from concept through production.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead cross-functional Integrated Product Teams throughout the full project lifecycle, from development through production
• Own project execution, including scope, schedule, cost, risk, and technical performance
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, milestones, and execution strategies aligned with customer and business objectives
• Partner closely with Program Managers to align project execution with contractual requirements and customer expectations
• Coordinate engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, and finance teams to ensure on-time project delivery
• Monitor project performance, identify risks, implement mitigation plans, and drive timely resolution of issues
• Manage project budgets, cost forecasts, variance analysis, and recovery plans to meet financial objectives
• Lead technical, cost, and schedule trade studies while providing recommendations to project stakeholders
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives through structured problem-solving and Lean methodologies
• Support proposal development by contributing execution plans, schedules, cost estimates, and risk assessments
• Ensure successful transition of projects from development into production
• Communicate project status, risks, and performance metrics to leadership while driving accountability across cross-functional teams

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience in engineering, project execution, manufacturing, or operations within the aerospace, defense, or other complex manufacturing industries
• Experience managing project scope, schedules, budgets, and execution across multiple stakeholders
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority
• Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills
• Experience identifying project risks and implementing effective mitigation strategies
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret project performance metrics and drive corrective actions
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to collaborate across technical and business organizations

Qualifications:

• Experience supporting both product development and production programs
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, visual management, and structured problem-solving methodologies
• Experience supporting proposal development, project estimating, and schedule planning
• Knowledge of project financial management, including forecasting, Estimate at Completion (EAC), budgeting, and variance analysis
• Experience working within structured execution or operating systems in aerospace or defense environments

Why Join?

• Lead high-impact aerospace and defense programs supporting critical security and space missions
• Influence projects from concept development through production and customer delivery
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering and manufacturing teams on complex technical programs
• Join a growing organization that values leadership, accountability, continuous improvement, and innovation
• Expand your technical and program leadership experience while working on cutting-edge aerospace technologies