Senior Project Engineer, Light Engines (opens in a new tab)

Monarch Quantum; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) matching

PTO 20 days

Holidays 13

9/80 schedule

Job summary

Monarch Quantum in San Diego is seeking a Senior Project Engineer, Light Engines, to build our foundation from the ground up in a fast-paced startup setting. You will drive planning, execution, and customer collaboration while shaping engineering practices.

The role requires a strong background in photonics, systems engineering, and AMO physics, plus leadership across cross-functional teams to meet milestones and deliver innovative light engine solutions.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering or a related field.
• 8 years of relevant experience, ideally in a startup or tech company.
• Proven record of leading a photonic system development project using structured processes.

Responsibilities

• Leads planning and execution of development projects, responsible for scope, schedule and budget.
• Manages matrixed technical team thru bottlenecks, ensuring productivity and focus.
• Provides technical, logistical and problem-solving leadership, develops best practices.
• Tracks milestones: requirements, design and test readiness reviews, integration and support.

Skills

Project leadership

Systems engineering

Optics and 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 Project Engineer, Light Engines. 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.

• This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Experience:

• Advanced degree in Engineering or a related field.
• 8 years 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 $125,000-$175,000.

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 Quantum 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.