Project Manager - Applied Photonics - 062QE

Quartus Engineering • San Diego, CA

2h • $104,190 - $160,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Applied Photonics is a business unit within Quartus that focuses on the practical application of the science and technology of light. Our teams develop innovative products as well as custom optical and metrology solutions for commercial and industrial applications. Our expertise spans precision metrology, robotics, machine vision, semiconductor and emerging photonic technologies including quantum optics. Typical development cycles begin with defining customer objectives, progress through all stages of design and analysis, and conclude with hardware build and rigorous testing.
Our clients range from large, industry-leading organizations to agile startup-style companies. We pride ourselves on bridging diverse perspectives and delivering advanced technical systems that meet each program’s budget and schedule constraints.
Our multidisciplinary team—comprising optical, opto-mechanical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers—works in a highly collaborative environment where communication and team ethics are paramount.
As a Technical Project Manager in our San Diego office, you will lead small to mid-sized engineering projects and support larger programs as a deputy to a Program Manager. Acting as the primary liaison between Quartus and our clients, you will manage expectations while planning and executing projects from inception to completion.
Success in this role requires exceptional communication, leadership, and time management skills in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. This is a dynamic position where effective time management—both for yourself and your project team—is critical to achieving results.

Requirements

• BS in engineering field – Mechanical, Optical, Electrical, Aerospace or similar discipline
• 8+ years of experience in one or more of the following areas: Applied imaging optical systems (preferred), Opto-Mechanical, Aerospace, Mechanical, Optical, Electrical or similar
• Experience managing a team of interdisciplinary engineers on technical development programs, including Mechanical, Opto-Mechanical, Electrical and Software Engineers
• Experience defining scope, budget and staffing requirements for projects up to <$1.5M
• Schedule development and management
• Strong aptitude for customer interaction and communication
• Demonstrated understanding of engineering fundamentals
• Demonstrates a positive attitude and willingness to learn
• Must be a US Person (US Citizen or US Permanent Resident)

Nice To Haves

• Experience with technical proposal development (lead or assisting)

Responsibilities

• Overseeing scope, schedule, and budget
• Delegating tasks and ensuring quality deliverables
• Mentoring junior team members
• Applying strong technical expertise to drive complex, challenging work
• Responsible for all phases of project(s) from conception through completion, including: o Proposal/project planning
• Managing project performance to ensure quality, business, and financial objectives are met
• Participate with engineering to establish engineering technical approach that aligns with project budget and schedule, typically including generation and maintenance of requirements verification/validation strategy and risk mitigation planning
• Planning project staffing
• Track labor, material, and expense costs against developed cost estimate baselines
• Manage bill of material suppliers and subcontractors based on project needs to mitigate impact of cost and schedule constraints
• Responsible for handling issues or nonconformances as they occur and reacting quickly towards resolution
• Communicate with client and manage their expectations
• Organize and lead internal and external weekly project status meetings
• May be a key technical contributor on project work. For example, perform engineering tasks such as design, hardware build and test, etc.
• Deliver project performance feedback – both directly to engineers and to their respective managers
• Foster a collaborative and transparent work environment, encouraging effective communication and knowledge sharing across project teams and departments
• May be expected to mentor Junior Project Managers
• Work with program managers, engineering, and sales to write effective proposals, which includes defining scope, estimating costs, generating a schedule, and defining technical content for a variety of contract vehicles
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement by evaluating and enhancing program management methodologies, tools, and processes

Benefits

• Quartus provides comprehensive benefits including competitive salary, discretionary performance-based bonus, employee stock ownership plan, medical, dental, vision, and 401k plan with company match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level