Sr. Project Engineer - Flight Software (Contract)

Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. offers advanced solutions for defense, security, and space requirements. They are seeking a high-performing Project Engineer to lead the development, testing, and delivery of mission-critical flight software for a US Government satellite program, managing a multidisciplinary engineering team and ensuring adherence to project schedules and customer standards.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end engineering lifecycle for satellite flight software from initial design through final delivery and integration
• Track labor utilization, manage project costs, and analyze performance metrics against the baseline budget
• Develop, maintain, and own the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for all software development and testing milestones
• Provide clear technical direction to a matrixed engineering team, including software developers, systems engineers, GNC specialists, and functional validation testers
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact for US Government customers, leading technical reviews, status updates, and milestone presentations
• Identify, mitigate, and track technical, schedule, and cost risks, escalating critical blockers to the Flight Software IPT leader
• Ensure all software development processes align with AS9100, CMMI, and program-specific mission assurance standards

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Minimum of 7 years of engineering experience in the aerospace and defense industry, with at least 4 years in a project engineering or technical lead role
• Proven track record working on software development projects, ideally involving real-time embedded systems or satellite flight software
• Proficiency with scheduling tools (e.g., MS Project) and Earned Value Management System (EVMS) concepts
• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive results across cross-functional, matrixed engineering teams without direct reporting authority
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for high-visibility customer briefings and executive-level internal reporting
• US Citizenship required
• Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents
• Hearing: able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds including safety warnings or alarms
• Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment
• Carrying: able to carry documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg
• Lifting: able to lift documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg
• Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer
• Squatting / Kneeling: able to occasionally squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items shelved on bottom shelves
• Standing: able to stand for long periods of time
• Walking: able to walk through office and outside areas including uneven surfaces
• Master's degree in aerospace engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline