Project Engineer IV

Innoflight LLC • San Diego, CA

38d • $150,000 - $170,000 • Onsite

About The Position

As a Project Engineer IV, you’ll operate as a senior technical leader responsible for guiding advanced space-capable products from concept through delivery. You’ll lead cross-functional engineering teams—spanning Software, Hardware, Mechanical, FPGA, Systems, and Test—through architecture development, requirements definition, integration, verification, and transition to manufacturing. You’ll serve as the primary technical interface to customers and internal stakeholders, resolving complex engineering challenges, driving strategic design decisions, and ensuring mission success across all phases of the program. Your decisions shape system performance, technical rigor, and overall program execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 7 or more years of experience leading complex engineering projects and cross-functional teams.
• Experience guiding programs from concept through delivery while balancing technical, schedule, and resource constraints.
• Deep expertise in embedded systems development, debugging, integration, and real-time system behavior.
• Experience with system architecture, design optimization, and advanced performance analysis.
• Knowledge of RTOS, low-level device drivers, and Linux-based development environments.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, including requirements management, verification/validation, and interface control.
• Ability to evaluate and optimize system-level trade-offs across hardware, software, and FPGA domains.
• Strong understanding of networking and communication protocols used in embedded and aerospace systems.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and drive results.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in aerospace or defense environments and familiarity with industry standards and compliance frameworks (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead Full Lifecycle Engineering: Direct cross-functional teams through concept development, requirements definition, architecture, detailed design, integration, verification, and manufacturing transition for advanced satellite electronics.
• Represent Technical Leadership to Customers: Serve as the primary engineering point of contact, driving technical discussions, clarifying requirements, presenting design decisions, and maintaining strong customer relationships.
• Own System Requirements and Architecture: Capture, validate, and manage system requirements for embedded real-time space systems; develop system-level architectures and allocate requirements across engineering disciplines.
• Drive Cross-Functional Design Execution: Lead Hardware, Software, FPGA, Systems, and Test engineering in defining derived requirements, resolving interface challenges, and developing compliant, high-performance system designs.
• Define Verification Strategy: Partner with Systems Engineering to build verification plans, define system test cases, establish performance criteria, and ensure complete requirements traceability.
• Lead Integration and Test: Plan and oversee system-level integration and test activities, troubleshoot complex technical issues, and ensure efficient progression through verification and validation phases.
• Ensure High-Quality Engineering Deliverables: Review and approve design documentation, analyses, ICDs, test procedures, and verification reports, ensuring technical accuracy and completeness.
• Run Major Design Reviews: Lead PDRs, CDRs, TRRs, and other key customer and internal reviews, ensuring readiness, compliance with specifications, and alignment with contractual objectives.

Benefits

• 401(k) with 3% company match (automatic enrollment)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, HSA & life insurance
• 10 paid holidays + 120 hours PTO (starting in year one)
• Access to ancillary benefits such as critical illness, accident, disability, legal and pet insurance.
• Flexible Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off—whether you use it to recharge, work on a passion project, or spend time with family, the choice is yours.
• Continuous Learning & Development: We’re serious about professional development. From tuition reimbursement to internal "Ask Me Anything" sessions and weekly “Lunch & Learns,” we make learning a core part of the job.
• Mission-Driven Culture: We aren’t just building tech—we’re enabling the next era of space exploration. Our Culture Ambassadors help lead initiatives around inclusion, positivity, recognition, and transparency. Here, your voice is heard, your work is respected, and your individuality is celebrated.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees