Senior Project Engineer - High Power Laser Programs

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 program execution from cradle-to-grave within a Triad leadership model with a Program Manager and Chief Engineer. This onsite role focuses on execution ownership rather than system design, supporting terrestrial HEL technologies in the 300-500kW class.

You will coordinate budgets, technical tasks, and staffing, serve as technical POC for program execution, drive risk mitigation, and contribute to design reviews.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of engineering 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 SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, MRR milestones.
• 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

12+ yrs exp

Laser systems

Systems engineering

Design reviews

Security clearance

Engineering degree

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

SolidWorks

Microsoft Project

Job description

Actalent in Poway, CA, is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to own program execution from cradle-to-grave within a Triad leadership model with a Program Manager and Chief Engineer. This onsite role focuses on execution ownership rather than system design, supporting terrestrial HEL technologies in the 300-500kW class.

You will coordinate budgets, technical tasks, and staffing, serve as technical POC for program execution, drive risk mitigation, and contribute to design reviews.