Systems Engineer – Project Engineer VI

NanoRacks LLC; Folsom (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Health benefits

Retirement savings

Wellness program

Job summary

A leading aerospace firm in California seeks a Senior Project Engineer to oversee large-scale defense and aerospace programs. The role involves defining system architecture, managing multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring technical compliance. Candidates should possess deep engineering knowledge, exceptional leadership skills, and a Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering. Compensation ranges from $180,000 to $240,000, complemented by various benefits. Join a mission-driven environment committed to national security and innovation.

Qualifications

• Must maintain an active DoD Secret Clearance.
• Experience managing large-scale DoD or MDA programs.
• Able to oversee multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the chief project engineer for large defense and aerospace programs.
• Define and guide system architecture and integration strategies.
• Oversee engineering execution across Integrated Product Teams.

Skills

Technical Leadership

System Integration

Risk-Based Engineering

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Systems Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Project

Primavera

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Voyager is an innovative defense, national security and space technology company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, mission‑critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets to lead in the race for technological and operational superiority from ground to space.

Forge the Future: Join Voyager Technologies

The future belongs to those who build it. At Voyager Technologies, we’re building technologies that protect lives, expand frontiers and prepare us for what’s next. And we’re doing that with people who are wired to solve, build, adapt and lead. These roles are not for the faint of heart.

You’ll help lay the foundation for humanity's future. Join a culture where innovation thrives, curiosity is rewarded, and impact is real. We’re a company of doers, thinkers and builders, united by purpose and grounded in reality.

If you want to put your skills to work where the stakes are real and the mission is bigger than any one person, forge the future with Voyager.

Job Summary:

The Project Engineer VI serves as a senior technical authority and strategic integrator for high‑complexity defense and aerospace programs. The individual provides technical direction and programmatic oversight across engineering disciplines, ensuring alignment of design, performance, and risk with mission and contractual requirements. The Level VI engineer represents engineering leadership at the enterprise level, contributing to organizational strategy, process improvement, and technology development initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as chief project engineer or senior technical lead for large, multi‑phase, or multi‑contract defense and aerospace programs
• Define and guide system architecture, integration, and verification strategies aligned with customer and mission objectives
• Oversee engineering execution across multiple Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and major subcontractors, ensuring technical, cost, and schedule compliance
• Lead technical baseline definition, configuration management, and system integration planning
• Chair or provide executive‑level support for major design and integration reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and ensure readiness and compliance with technical performance metrics
• Serve as the primary engineering interface to executive management and DoD customers, supporting technical interchange meetings and milestone reviews
• Manage and approve Statements of Work (SOWs), subcontractor technical deliverables, and major supplier design inputs
• Develop and implement advanced risk and opportunity management frameworks across enterprise‑level programs
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and technical oversight to project engineers and functional leads
• Support proposal development, cost estimation, and new business capture activities
• Guide and enforce adherence to systems engineering standards, model‑based engineering practices, and configuration control
• Drive organizational engineering process improvements, knowledge management, and best practices

Required Qualifications:

• Must have or be able to obtain and maintain an active DoD Secret Clearance
• Demonstrated success leading large‑scale, multi‑disciplinary engineering projects through the full lifecycle—from concept development through verification, qualification, and delivery
• Proven ability to develop and execute technical strategies aligned with business and program objectives
• Exceptional leadership, influencing, and mentoring abilities across engineering, program management, and customer teams
• Strong technical depth and judgment to guide architecture‑level decisions and complex trade studies
• Proactive, strategic thinker with a continuous improvement mindset and commitment to technical excellence and mission success
• Advanced knowledge of DoD acquisition frameworks, contract structures, and customer interface management

Experience:

• Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in project engineering, systems engineering, or program‑level technical leadership
• Proven experience managing large‑scale DoD or MDA programs, including complex system integration and verification activities
• Demonstrated success as a Control Account Manager (CAM) and technical lead under EVMS‑compliant contracts
• Deep understanding of DoD acquisition lifecycle (DoDI 5000 series) and MIL‑STD systems engineering processes
• Experience overseeing major subcontractors, suppliers, and multi‑disciplinary engineering teams
• Background in propulsion systems, flight vehicle integration, or complex electro‑mechanical systems preferred
• Prior experience leading customer engagements, proposal efforts, and engineering process improvement initiatives

Education:

• Required: Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in systems engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical, electrical engineering, or related STEM field from an accredited college/university

Skills:

• Advanced technical and organizational leadership skills, with the ability to manage ambiguity and competing priorities
• Expertise in system integration, verification planning, and risk‑based engineering approaches
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills—capable of engaging executive and customer audiences
• Proficient with engineering management and project planning tools (Microsoft Project, Primavera, or equivalent)
• Skilled in data‑driven decision making, technical trade analysis, and configuration control
• Strong interpersonal skills for guiding and motivating diverse, high‑performing teams
• Experienced with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Visio

Others:

• Must be able to travel approximately 10% of the time to support program and customer needs
• Must be comfortable working in secure or classified environments, as required
• Ability to balance multiple priorities across concurrent workstreams
• Committed to mission success, technical integrity, and collaborative execution in a national defense environment

Compensation: $180,000 - $240,000 USD

Voyager offers a comprehensive, total compensation package, which includes competitive salary, a discretionary annual bonus plan, paid time off (PTO), a comprehensive health benefit package, retirement savings, wellness program, and various other benefits. When you join our team, you’re not just an employee; you become part of a dynamic community dedicated to innovation and excellence.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Voyager is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran

THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS JOB DESCRIPTION ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL CONTENT AND REQUIREMENTS FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS JOB. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXPEDITIVE LIST OF ALL JOB DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND REQUIREMENTS. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT OR CONTRACT. MANAGEMENT HAS THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO ALTER THE SCOPE OF WORK WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THIS JOB DESCRIPTION AT ANY TIME WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.