Project Management Specialist

Quest Defense; Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

401(k) with employer match

Certification assistance

Growth opportunities

Flexible workplace

Job summary

Quest Defense Systems and Solutions in Cincinnati, OH seeks an experienced Project Management Specialist to drive engineering project execution, scheduling and coordination with aerospace customers. The role is onsite in Cincinnati with possible hybrid options and requires US citizenship.

You will lead stand-ups, develop schedules, track critical hardware delivery, and provide weekly progress; collaborate across teams and report on issues and milestones to ensure on-time results.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years aerospace/aircraft engines/technical project experience.
• 1+ years supporting or leading engineering/technical projects.
• Proficient with scheduling tools: MS Project, Smartsheet, Excel.
• Knowledge of engineering processes: change, gated reviews, design reviews.
• Strong communication, organization, follow-up and action-tracking.
• US Citizen required.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily stand-ups and project/line of balance meetings.
• Develop and track engineering project schedules.
• Track schedule, commit dates, and delivery of engine hardware.
• Track and communicate action items.
• Prepare schedule variance and recovery plans.
• Provide weekly progress updates on open issues until closure.
• Review issue logs daily; acknowledge/process new issues.
• Manage and coordinate due dates weekly to prevent delays.
• Participate in internal team calls to resolve issues.
• Interact with multiple organizations and management levels.
• Leverage internal contacts to drive issues to closure.
• Prepare and present weekly/monthly reports.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Follow-up

Action-tracking

Stakeholder coordination

Tools

Microsoft Project

Smartsheet

Excel

Job description

Are you an experienced Project Management Specialist looking for a new challenge and an opportunity to further advance your skills and career in a strong technical environment? Join our fast-growing team supporting leading aerospace customers. This role is well suited for a highly motivated individual, self-starter, and problem-solver with interest in engineering project execution, schedule control, customer coordination, and technical program support.

This role is onsite in Cincinnati, OH- hybrid possibility. Due to the nature of these roles, applicants must be US Citizen.

Potential Job Functions

• Lead daily stand-ups and Project / Line of Balance meetings
• Develop and track engineering project schedules
• Track schedule, commit dates, and delivery of critical engine hardware
• Track and communicate action items
• Prepare project schedule variance and recovery plans
• Provide weekly progress updates on open issues until items are closed
• Review issue logs daily and acknowledge / process new issues
• Manage and coordinate due dates weekly to prevent issues from becoming overdue
• Participate in internal team calls to engage help where needed to resolve issues
• Interact with multiple organizations and management levels
• Leverage internal contacts to drive issues to closure
• Prepare and present weekly and monthly reports

Preferred Skills / Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience with aerospace, aircraft engines, engineering, manufacturing, or technical project environments preferred
• 1+ years of experience supporting or leading engineering or technically driven projects
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Excel, or other scheduling / tracking tools
• Knowledge of engineering processes preferred, including:
  • Engineering change process
  • Customer gated review process
  • Design review process
• Strong communication, organization, follow-up, and action-tracking skills
• Ability to work across multiple stakeholders and drive issues to closure
• Experience in adoption and/or integration of emerging technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation platforms, digital assistants) into day-to-day operations for continuous improvement.
• Must be US Citizen.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

• Mostly Office Environments, Occasional Shop Floor involvement.
• Substantial amounts of telephone, video conferencing and computer work.
• Heavily Regulated Industries with strict adherence to procedures.
• Flexibility to meet business deadlines by staying late or arriving early.
• Typical 8 hour days plus lunch / 40 hour weeks / core (required) hours are 9AM to 4PM
• Ability to use personal transportation to visit customer locations

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The QDSS Advantage:

At QDSS, our advantage is purpose-driven work, collaborative teams, and complex challenges that push boundaries and build lasting impact.You’llgrow your career while contributing to mission-critical programs that demand excellence and shape the future.

WhatYou’llFind Here

• Work That Matters – Next-generation, safety- and mission-critical projects where your contributions have real-world impact.
• GrowthThat’sSupported – Competitive compensation, employer-matched 401(k), certificationassistance, and clear opportunities for advancement.
• A Culture That Works – A flexible, collaborative, and people-first environment where teamwork, innovation, and balance are valued.

Benefits Include

• Competitive pay, comprehensive medical/dental/lifeand disability coverage, 401(k) with employer match, professional development support, and a flexible, friendly workplace.

Full compensation package is based on candidate experience and certifications

Pay Ranges

$65,000 - $72,000 USD

At Quest Defense Systems and Solutions, we don’t just build technology — we engineer the future. From next-generation aerospace solutions to cutting-edge defense systems, we tackle the toughest, mission-critical challenges that keep people safe and push the boundaries of innovation. This is where problem-solvers, innovators, and visionary thinkers come together to shape the future. With over 25 years of aerospace and defense engineering expertise, our commitment to delivering high-quality, transformative solutions sets us apart — not just as an industry leader, but as a driving force for impactful change. Together, we’re not just leading the industry — we’re revolutionizing it.

Quest Defense provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.