Senior Principal Project Engineer, Photonic System Development

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

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Senior Principal 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 engineering practices that support our mission and growth. Your key responsibilities are as follows:

• Leads planning and execution of development projects, responsible for project scope, schedule and budget. Represents the company in front of customers and collaborates with functional managers within Engineering and cross-functionally to assure successful project execution.
• Manages matrixed technical team thru schedule bottlenecks, uncertainty, lack of information and sudden changes, while screening team from external turbulence and assuring highest productivity and focus on success.
• Provides technical, logistical and problem‑solving leadership, develops and employs best engineering practices. Anticipates risks and identifies opportunities, then manages both thru the projects.
• Responsible for project execution per internally and customer defined processes, reaching, documenting and defending project milestones: requirement, design and test readiness reviews, integration and test events, test reports, installation and support activities.

Experience

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

Skills

• Proven record of successfully leading a photonic system development project using structured development process.
• Expert in a subset of technical areas: systems engineering, optics and photonics, AMO physics, control theory, opto‑mechanics, electrical and software engineering.

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 $160,000-$240,000.

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 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.