Senior Manager Project Engineering

Ultra Electronics Group; Columbia City (IN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO up to 140 hours first year

3 floating holidays

401k plan with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness program

Job summary

Ultra Maritime in the United States seeks a senior engineering leader to turn complex challenges into mission-ready solutions, guiding project teams from proposal through delivery. Leadership ensures on-time, on-cost, high-quality outcomes with disciplined execution and continuous improvement.

The role requires 12+ years in complex engineering, 3+ years of people management, and the ability to obtain a security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in a complex engineering environment, including demonstrated leadership of technical execution, program and/or project delivery, and cross-functional engineering teams from proposal through product development and delivery.
• 3+ years of engineering leadership or people-management experience.
• May be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams through complex projects, programs, or product development lifecycles.
• Strong understanding of engineering execution, technical risk, resource planning, and program delivery.
• Experience developing or reviewing technical content for bids, proposals, or customer commitments.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions and drive results in complex, ambiguous, and time-sensitive environments.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across technical and business functions.
• Proven ability to develop technical talent and build high-performing engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead project engineering execution: Set direction and priorities for engineering teams supporting complex projects and programs, ensuring technical work is aligned with program commitments and business objectives.
• Own technical delivery: Provide engineering accountability from proposal through product development and delivery, ensuring solutions meet customer requirements for performance, quality, cost, and schedule.
• Lead through complexity: Serve as a senior escalation point for complex technical and engineering challenges, applying sound judgment, technical expertise, and innovative thinking to drive effective solutions.
• Shape executable solutions: Provide engineering leadership for bids and proposals, evaluating technical approaches, resource requirements, risks, and delivery commitments to ensure proposed solutions are achievable.
• Anticipate and manage risk: Identify technical, resource, and execution risks early and establish mitigation strategies that protect program outcomes.
• Optimize engineering resources: Develop plans that align people, technical expertise, and resources to the highest-priority work while balancing current program demands with future business needs.
• Partner across the business: Work closely with Program Management, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Business Development, and other functions to resolve issues, align priorities, and deliver successful customer outcomes.
• Build engineering capability: Develop engineers, technical leaders, managers, and emerging experts through coaching, mentorship, challenging assignments, and opportunities to expand their technical and leadership capabilities.
• Build and strengthen the organization: Establish talent and workforce strategies that support the long-term needs of the engineering organization, including hiring, succession planning, promotions, performance management, and organizational development.
• Drive continuous improvement: Identify and implement improvements to engineering processes, tools, and ways of working that increase execution efficiency, predictability, quality, and scalability.
• Influence strategic decisions: Provide senior leadership with clear technical insight, recommendations, and tradeoffs on engineering strategy, program execution, resource priorities, and other high-impact decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Engineering leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk management

Decision making

Technical mentorship

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Protecting What Matters. Powering the Future of Naval Technology. Your work here has global impact. From developing sonar and radar systems to advancing unmanned and undersea platforms, our technologies empower the U.S. Navy and allied forces to operate in some of the world’s most complex environments. As the maritime and underwater battlespace evolves, we continue to push boundaries—driven by innovation, accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence. Join us as we shape the future of naval warfare—safeguarding the seas and strengthening navies worldwide.

Nationality Requirements Due to the nature of the programs we support, certain roles may require candidates to meet U.S. nationality requirements and be eligible to obtain a security clearance.

Position Summary

Turn complex engineering challenges into mission-ready solutions that deliver for our customers. Lead and inspire project engineering teams to tackle the toughest technical challenges, make confident decisions, and execute with discipline from proposal through delivery. Build the people, capabilities, and engineering strategies that enable us to deliver on time, on cost, and to the highest standards of quality and performance while continuously raising the bar for engineering excellence. Your leadership ensures great engineering doesn’t stop at a great idea it becomes a solution our customers can count on.

Job Description

What You’ll Do

• Lead project engineering execution: Set direction and priorities for engineering teams supporting complex projects and programs, ensuring technical work is aligned with program commitments and business objectives.
• Own technical delivery: Provide engineering accountability from proposal through product development and delivery, ensuring solutions meet customer requirements for performance, quality, cost, and schedule.
• Lead through complexity: Serve as a senior escalation point for complex technical and engineering challenges, applying sound judgment, technical expertise, and innovative thinking to drive effective solutions.
• Shape executable solutions: Provide engineering leadership for bids and proposals, evaluating technical approaches, resource requirements, risks, and delivery commitments to ensure proposed solutions are achievable.
• Anticipate and manage risk: Identify technical, resource, and execution risks early and establish mitigation strategies that protect program outcomes.
• Optimize engineering resources: Develop plans that align people, technical expertise, and resources to the highest-priority work while balancing current program demands with future business needs.
• Partner across the business: Work closely with Program Management, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Business Development, and other functions to resolve issues, align priorities, and deliver successful customer outcomes.
• Build engineering capability: Develop engineers, technical leaders, managers, and emerging experts through coaching, mentorship, challenging assignments, and opportunities to expand their technical and leadership capabilities.
• Build and strengthen the organization: Establish talent and workforce strategies that support the long-term needs of the engineering organization, including hiring, succession planning, promotions, performance management, and organizational development.
• Drive continuous improvement: Identify and implement improvements to engineering processes, tools, and ways of working that increase execution efficiency, predictability, quality, and scalability.
• Influence strategic decisions: Provide senior leadership with clear technical insight, recommendations, and tradeoffs on engineering strategy, program execution, resource priorities, and other high-impact decisions.

What Success Looks Like

Complex engineering programs have clear technical direction and consistently deliver against customer and business commitments. Engineering solutions are technically sound, executable, and aligned with cost, schedule, quality, and performance requirements. Technical and program risks are identified early and actively managed. Engineering resources are focused on the priorities that matter most to the business. The organization has strong technical depth, capable leaders, and a healthy pipeline of future engineering talent. Cross-functional partners trust Engineering to provide clear answers, solve difficult problems, and deliver on its commitments. Engineering processes and capabilities continuously improve as the organization grows. Customers receive solutions that perform as promised—and the engineering organization is stronger because of how we delivered them.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in a complex engineering environment, including demonstrated leadership of technical execution, program and/or project delivery, and cross-functional engineering teams from proposal through product development and delivery.
• 3+ years of engineering leadership or people-management experience.
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred.
• May be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams through complex projects, programs, or product development lifecycles.
• Strong understanding of engineering execution, technical risk, resource planning, and program delivery.
• Experience developing or reviewing technical content for bids, proposals, or customer commitments.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions and drive results in complex, ambiguous, and time-sensitive environments.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across technical and business functions.
• Proven ability to develop technical talent and build high-performing engineering teams.

What Ultra Maritime Offers You

• Climate controlled, well-lit and clean work environment!
• Work/life balance that includes up to 140 hours PTO for first year 8 Paid Holidays, with 3 floating holidays
• 401k Plan with Company Match
• Educational Assistance Program (Tuition Reimbursement)
• Wellness Program and incentives
• Company HSA contributions
• Insurance Benefits that start 1st of the month following hire
• Eligibility in Company Performance-based bonuses annually
• Additional Employee Discounts and Perks
• Company-Paid Benefits: $75 monthly student loan repayment program
• Basic Life Insurance
• Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary Employee-Paid Benefits: Medical and Prescription insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance Plans
• Supplemental AD&D insurance for Employee and Family
• Accident Plan
• Critical Illness Plan
• Hospital Indemnity Plan
• Pet Insurance
• Identity Theft

Reasonable accommodation statement: if you need an accommodation for any part of the application process, please email [e-mail]

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ultra Maritime is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing a workplace that is fair, respectful, and inclusive, and we make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, marital status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, citizenship status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. As a U.S. defense contractor, Ultra Maritime maintains strict standards related to integrity, compliance, and security. We operate a drug-free workplace and, where permitted by law, may conduct pre-employment background checks and substance-abuse screening based on role requirements.

Company: Ultra Maritime #MAR Learn more about our diverse offering above. Enhance your connection to the global naval community by connecting with us on LinkedIn for exclusive and distinctive insights into our exceptional outputs.