Staff Project Engineer

Actalent; Goleta (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

HSA

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off (PTO/Vacation/Sick)

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Project Engineer to drive the technical execution of space hardware from concept to delivery. You will lead systems-level design, develop verification plans, and coordinate across engineering disciplines to meet customer requirements.

The role emphasizes leadership of technical teams, design reviews, and test procedures, with travel of about 10–15%. A strong CAD/PDM background and GD&T expertise are essential for success.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in designing, developing, manufacturing, and testing production hardware.
• Extensive systems-level engineering experience and prior leadership of technical teams.
• Experience with space mechanism design and aerospace guidelines.
• Proficiency in CAD and PDM systems.
• Strong drafting knowledge and understanding of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and tolerance analysis.
• Experience preparing and presenting technical updates to internal and external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with root cause analysis processes.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for assigned programs or project teams, ensuring scope, schedule, resources, and budget remain aligned.
• Maintain technical integrity throughout all phases of a project and act as the primary point of technical escalation and resolution.
• Translate product development strategies into system-level requirements and coordinate with engineering disciplines to develop detailed lower-level specifications.
• Lead design reviews and develop or review verification plans, validation procedures, and customer acceptance test procedures.
• Generate, review, and present all required project documentation.
• Develop system-level requirements, verification procedures, and compliance documentation.
• Ensure requirements traceability and verification through successful test execution.
• Assess system performance using evaluation criteria, analyses, and technical performance measures.
• Participate in or lead non-conformance investigations and disposition activities.
• Serve as a technical liaison with customers and support business development activities as needed.
• Provide guidance to internal teams at the brand, program, and project levels.
• Establish and coordinate standards, practices, and procedures related to product development and engineering excellence.
• Partner with program management to ensure project execution aligns with customer expectations and internal guidelines.
• Control project costs through effective resource planning and close management of system-level activities.
• Deliver both internal and customer-facing project updates and technical presentations.
• Travel occasionally as required (approximately 10–15%), primarily local with some overnight trips.

Skills

Aerospace Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Systems-level engineering

Space mechanism design

CAD

PDM systems

GD&T (ASME Y14.5)

Technical updates

Root cause analysis

Education

BS in Aerospace Engineering

MS in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

PDM Pro

SolidWorks

SolidWorks Simulation

Thermal Desktop

NASTRAN

ANSYS

Job description

Job Title: Project EngineerJob Description

We are seeking a highly skilled Project Engineer to lead the technical execution of complex, mission-enabling space hardware from concept through delivery. This role involves driving systems-level design, development, evaluation, and refinement across the entire product lifecycle. You will contribute as a technical leader in long-range planning and emerging technology development.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for assigned programs or project teams, ensuring scope, schedule, resources, and budget remain aligned.
• Maintain technical integrity throughout all phases of a project and act as the primary point of technical escalation and resolution.
• Translate product development strategies into system-level requirements and coordinate with engineering disciplines to develop detailed lower-level specifications.
• Lead design reviews and develop or review verification plans, validation procedures, and customer acceptance test procedures.
• Generate, review, and present all required project documentation.
• Develop system-level requirements, verification procedures, and compliance documentation.
• Ensure requirements traceability and verification through successful test execution.
• Assess system performance using evaluation criteria, analyses, and technical performance measures.
• Participate in or lead non-conformance investigations and disposition activities.
• Serve as a technical liaison with customers and support business development activities as needed.
• Provide guidance to internal teams at the brand, program, and project levels.
• Establish and coordinate standards, practices, and procedures related to product development and engineering excellence.
• Partner with program management to ensure project execution aligns with customer expectations and internal guidelines.
• Control project costs through effective resource planning and close management of system-level activities.
• Deliver both internal and customer-facing project updates and technical presentations.
• Travel occasionally as required (approximately 10–15%), primarily local with some overnight trips.

Essential Skills

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 8+ years of experience in designing, developing, manufacturing, and testing production hardware.
• Extensive systems-level engineering experience and prior leadership of technical teams.
• Experience with space mechanism design and aerospace guidelines.
• Proficiency in CAD and PDM systems.
• Strong drafting knowledge and understanding of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and tolerance analysis.
• Experience preparing and presenting technical updates to internal and external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with root cause analysis processes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with PDM Pro, SolidWorks, SolidWorks Simulation, Thermal Desktop, NASTRAN, or ANSYS.
• Familiarity with aerospace standards such as GSFC-STD-7000A (GEVS), NASA-STD-5017, MMPDS, and similar.
• Experience with graphite and fiberglass composites, photovoltaics, flexible circuits, or printed circuit board assemblies.
• Background in the design, manufacturing, and verification of PV systems or composite structures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (SharePoint, Teams); Microsoft Project experience a plus.
• Training or certification in Lean Six Sigma.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to independently apply engineering principles and practices.

Work Environment

The work environment involves leading the technical execution of space hardware projects with occasional travel required, primarily local with some overnight trips. The role demands proficiency in using CAD and PDM systems, and familiarity with aerospace standards and guidelines. Collaboration with internal teams and acting as a liaison with customers are integral to the job. The position encourages a strong focus on engineering excellence and adherence to established standards and practices.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Goleta, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $90.00/hr.

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.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.

If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Goleta,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 29, 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.