Senior Project Engineer

Actalent; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 229,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Poway, CA is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to own cradle-to-grave execution of complex laser defense programs, focusing on implementation rather than system design. You will coordinate with Program Manager and Chief Engineer in a Triad leadership model, manage budgets, tasks, risk, and staffing, and serve as the technical lead for program execution.

Candidates should have 12+ years in engineering or project roles, experience with high energy lasers, and be able to obtain a U.S.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of relevant engineering and/or project engineering experience.
• Direct experience with solid-state lasers, fiber lasers, High Energy lasers, or high power laser systems.
• Working knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals including requirements flow-down and system interplay.
• Familiarity with design review milestones (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, MRR).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a high-level U.S. government security clearance.
• Engineering or related technical degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own program execution from cradle-to-grave, including proposal phase, award, execution, and closeout.
• Shape the program baseline by allocating budgets, setting technical tasks, and scheduling post-contract award.
• Serve as the technical point of contact for program execution, identifying risks and developing solutions.
• Support Integrated Project Teams by resolving cross-subsystem disagreements to optimize overall system performance.
• Coordinate with functional managers to build and staff the right team for program needs.
• Support internal budget negotiations and represent the program in follow-on proposal activities.
• Contribute to technical design reviews by preparing system readiness packages and collaborating with the Chief Engineer.

Skills

Execution ownership

Program management

Lasers (high energy)

Systems engineering fundamentals

Security clearance

MS Project

SolidWorks

Education

Engineering degree preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

Microsoft Project

WBS/IMS

EVM

Job description

Job Title: Senior Project Engineer

Job Description

A leading defense technology company is expanding its Systems Engineering portfolio into terrestrial High Energy Laser (HEL) technologies, supporting products in the 300-500kW class. As the Senior Project Engineer, you will serve as the team's first dedicated representative in this space, focusing on execution ownership rather than system design. You will work within a 'Triad' leadership model alongside a Program Manager and a Chief Engineer.

Responsibilities

• Own program execution from cradle-to-grave, including proposal phase, award, execution, and closeout.
• Shape the program baseline by allocating budgets, setting technical tasks, and scheduling post-contract award.
• Serve as the technical point of contact for program execution, identifying risks and developing solutions.
• Support Integrated Project Teams by resolving cross-subsystem disagreements to optimize overall system performance.
• Coordinate with functional managers to build and staff the right team for program needs.
• Support internal budget negotiations and represent the program in follow-on proposal activities.
• Contribute to technical design reviews by preparing system readiness packages and collaborating with the Chief Engineer.

Essential Skills

• 12+ years of relevant engineering and/or project engineering experience.
• Direct experience with solid-state lasers, fiber lasers, High Energy lasers, or high power laser systems.
• Working knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals, including requirements flow-down and system interplay.
• Familiarity with technical design review milestones such as SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, MRR.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a high-level U.S. government security clearance.
• Engineering or related technical degree preferred.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and Integrated Master Schedules (IMS).
• Earned Value Management (EVM) experience.
• Prior DOD/defense industry experience is useful but not required.
• Familiarity with SolidWorks and/or Microsoft Project.
• Experience in adjacent technical domains like missile defense or satellite systems is evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role, supporting three of the company's four P&Ls, covering space systems and payloads, and expanding into terrestrial HEL. As the Project Engineer, you will own the execution, funding/budget negotiation, technical tasking, risk identification, and subsystem optimization.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $128000.00 - $229000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Benefits through GA. Direct placement.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Poway,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 4, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News‑Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.