Senior Build Project Engineer

Monarch Quantum; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer匹

20 PTO days per year

13 holidays per year

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

Monarch Quantum is seeking a Senior Build Project Engineer in San Diego to own the build schedule, lead prototype builds, and guide the transition to repeatable production. You will coordinate with Design Engineering, Process Development, and Operations to hit milestones and ensure quality across hardware builds.

This hands‑on role requires a startup mindset, strong collaboration, and the ability to thrive in a fast-changing environment as the company scales its manufacturing operations.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional execution of complex hardware builds from engineering prototype through NPI/production readiness.
• Working knowledge of hardware development and manufacturing disciplines, including manufacturing engineering, process development, systems engineering, test, optics/photonics, quality, system integration, and product development lifecycle.
• Ability to effectively communicate and coordinate with technical experts across engineering disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Own the overall build schedule for assigned projects, including milestone dates, dependencies, and critical path activities.
• Lead execution of initial engineering prototype builds and support the transition to repeatable production builds, coordinating with Process Development and Operations to achieve production metrics.
• Drive predictable build execution by coordinating across Supply Chain, Design Engineering, Process Development, and Operations.
• Track BOM, drawing, tooling, and inspection readiness for assigned builds, coordinating with Design Engineering and Process Development to resolve gaps that could impact build execution.
• Prepare build progress status updates for the internal team and briefings for stakeholders.
• Proactively identify and escalate schedule risks to leadership before they impact build timelines.
• Maintain build configuration records by serial number, including material, part, process, and approved configuration variants.
• Track critical and long‑lead material status, including order dates, expected receipt, and buffer stock levels, with supply chain support.
• Track incoming inspection and certification status per lot for critical parts.
• Maintain an open risk/issue log with assigned owners and target resolution dates.
• Collaborate successfully with team members across the organization in a way that fosters trust, recognizes and celebrates others, and reinforces the company values.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Hardware development

Effective communication

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Senior Build Project Engineer.

As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands‑on role for a self‑starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting edge technologies, work closely with leadership, and develop and implement best practices that support our mission and growth. Your key responsibilities are as follows:

• Own the overall build schedule for assigned projects, including milestone dates, dependencies, and critical path activities.
• Lead execution of initial engineering prototype builds and support the transition to repeatable production builds, coordinating with Process Development and Operations to achieve defined production metrics.
• Drive predictable build execution by coordinating across Supply Chain, Design Engineering, Process Development, and Operations.
• Track BOM, drawing, tooling, and inspection readiness for assigned builds, coordinating with Design Engineering and Process Development to resolve gaps that could impact build execution.
• Prepare build progress status updates for the internal team and briefings for stakeholders.
• Proactively identify and escalation schedule risks to leadership before they impact build timelines.
• Maintain build configuration records by serial number, including material, part, process, and approved configuration variants.
• Track critical and long‑lead material status, including order dates, expected receipt, and buffer stock levels, with supply chain support.
• Track incoming inspection and certification status per lot for critical parts.
• Maintain an open risk/issue log with assigned owners and target resolution dates.
• Collaborate successfully with team members across the organization in a way that fosters trust, recognizes and celebrates others, and reinforces the company values.

• This position requires access to export‑controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Experience:

• Degree in Engineering or a related field.
• 5 years or more of relevant experience (including pursuit of relevant higher education); ideally within a startup or technology company.

Skills:

• Demonstrated experience leading cross‑functional execution of complex hardware builds from engineering prototype through NPI/production readiness.
• Working knowledge of hardware development and manufacturing disciplines, including manufacturing engineering, process development, systems engineering, test, optics/photonics, quality, system integration, and product development lifecycle.
• Ability to effectively communicate and coordinate with technical experts across engineering disciplines.

Startup Mindset:

• You're creative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats.
• You're passionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change.

The expected annual salary range for this position is $130,000-$175,000.

As a full‑time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
• 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
• 13 paid company holidays
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.