Senior Principal Photonics Project Engineer - Lead Systems

Monarch Quantum, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer—

20 paid time off (PTO) days per year

13 paid company holidays

9/80 work schedule (every other Friday

Job summary

Monarch Quantum, Inc. in San Diego seeks a Senior Principal Project Engineer to build our foundational capabilities. This hands-on, self-starting role demands leadership across photonics, systems engineering, and AMO physics to drive complex projects from concept to customer-ready solutions.

You will anticipate risks, guide teams through uncertainties, and implement engineering practices that support rapid growth in a startup environment. Competitive benefits included.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree required; 18+ years of relevant experience, ideally in startup or technology environments.
• Proven record leading photonic system development using structured development processes.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and communicating with customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of development projects, managing scope, schedule, and budget.
• Coordinate matrixed technical teams and shield them from turbulence while maximizing productivity.
• Provide technical leadership in engineering practices, risk management, and project reviews.
• Ensure project milestones are met per internal and customer processes (requirements, design, test, integration, installation).

Skills

Photonics systems

Systems engineering

Optics & photonics

AMO physics

Control theory

Opto-mechanics

Electrical engineering

Software engineering

Education

Advanced degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Monarch Quantum, Inc. in San Diego seeks a Senior Principal Project Engineer to build our foundational capabilities. This hands-on, self-starting role demands leadership across photonics, systems engineering, and AMO physics to drive complex projects from concept to customer-ready solutions.

You will anticipate risks, guide teams through uncertainties, and implement engineering practices that support rapid growth in a startup environment. Competitive benefits included.