Project Engineer - Combustion Engines

Baker Engineering LLC.•Crockery Township, MI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Project Engineer leads technical execution across the full project lifecycle, from concept and design through prototyping, testing, and delivery. The role coordinates with engineering, test lab, manufacturing, and program management teams to meet customer and government contract requirements. The position manages project schedules, budgets, and technical deliverables for propulsion and power systems programs, which may involve internal combustion engines, electrification, and hybrid-electric integration. The Project Engineer supports design reviews, technical documentation, and test planning and execution, and serves as a primary technical liaison with government and commercial customers regarding program status, risks, and deliverables. The role may involve controlled or export-restricted technical data subject to ITAR/EAR requirements. The ideal candidate has strong engine and propulsion engineering fundamentals and the organizational skills to keep multidisciplinary programs on track in a hands-on, innovation-focused environment where designs move from the lab to flight and field testing.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
Demonstrated experience designing and developing internal combustion engines and accessories.
Demonstrated experience managing technical scope, schedule, and risk on an engineering development program.
Working knowledge of engineering analysis methods, such as thermal, structural, or performance analysis, and their application to hardware design decisions.
Experience working directly with manufacturing, quality, and supplier organizations to resolve producibility and technical issues.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting technical status to internal and customer stakeholders.
Proficiency with standard MS Office and project tracking software.
Mechanical aptitude.
Knowledge of hand tools.
Critical thinking skills.
Attention to detail.
U.S. citizenship and ITAR compliance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with internal combustion engine control systems and calibration.
Experience with power generation, hybrid and high-voltage EV, propulsion, or drivetrain systems in an industrial, defense, marine, or automotive setting.
Engine test laboratory experience, including instrumentation, setup, and operation.
Proficiency using PTC Creo software or other CAD and PLM tools.
Experience with design for manufacturing.

Responsibilities

Own the technical scope, design intent, and configuration of assigned power and propulsion systems from concept through production release.
Plan and direct engineering analysis—including thermal, structural, electrical, and performance analysis—and test programs to validate designs against requirements.
Lead and participate in design reviews, ensuring findings are tracked, assigned, and closed.
Coordinate with manufacturing engineering, quality, and suppliers to ensure designs are producible, testable, and deliverable on schedule.
Identify, track, and drive resolution of technical risks and open issues throughout the program lifecycle.
Interpret and apply customer and program requirements to engineering decisions, and communicate technical status, risks, and trade-offs to program management and customers.
Support root-cause investigations for test anomalies, field issues, or non-conformances, and drive corrective actions to closure.
Maintain technical documentation, including design records, analysis reports, and change history, in compliance with company and customer requirements.
Support cost estimating, scheduling, and technical proposal development for new or follow-on program work.
Perform other duties as requested by management.