Senior Project Manager

Kearfott Corporation•Pine Brook, NJ

21d

About The Position

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for executing complex inertial navigation and guidance projects across development, qualification, production, and sustainment. This role is intended for an experienced professional who has progressed through an engineering career such as systems, electrical, mechanical, or software engineering—and has served as an engineering lead or technical lead prior to assuming full project management responsibility. The position leverages deep technical understanding to drive disciplined execution, effectively bridge engineering and operations, and lead cross-functional teams delivering mission-critical navigation and guidance systems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, Software, or related discipline).
8–12+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability systems, including:
Prior experience as an engineer and
Experience as an engineering lead, technical lead, or systems lead before moving into project or program management.
Demonstrated experience managing technically complex development and/or production programs for inertial navigation, guidance, or sensor-based systems.
Strong understanding of systems engineering, hardware/software integration, environmental qualification, and test.
Proven ability to lead engineers and cross-functional teams through technically challenging programs.
Proficiency with program planning and execution tools (e.g., MS Project, ERP/MRP systems).
Must be a US Citizen.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering or MBA.
PMP certification.
Experience with government contracts, FAR/DFARS, and EVM.
Familiarity with INS/IMU performance, error modeling, calibration, and environmental qualification (MIL-STD-810, DO-160).
Experience in AS9100-certified design and manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

Lead Guidance & Navigation projects involving INS, IMUs, gyroscopes, accelerometers, navigation electronics, and integrated guidance solutions.
Apply prior engineering and technical leadership experience to guide technical decision-making, trade studies, and issue resolution.
Translate system requirements and technical risks into executable program plans and schedules.
Serve as the primary technical and programmatic interface between engineering teams, operations, and customers.
Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams including systems engineering, hardware and software engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and test.
Chair and actively participate in technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR), leveraging hands-on engineering background to challenge assumptions and ensure technical rigor.
Ensure alignment between engineering design intent and manufacturing execution.
Develop and maintain integrated master schedules (IMS), budgets, and resource plans tied to engineering and production milestones.
Apply earned value management (EVM) or similar performance metrics where required.
Identify, assess, and mitigate technical, cost, schedule, and supply-chain risks inherent to precision navigation and guidance systems.
Manage program budgets, forecasts, and cost controls to meet margin, cash, and delivery objectives.
Support proposal development, cost estimates, and schedule builds for new and follow-on Guidance & Navigation programs.
Manage contract changes, scope adjustments, and customer-directed engineering modifications.
Act as the primary program interface to government and commercial customers, with the technical credibility to discuss system design, performance, and qualification.
Prepare and deliver program and technical status briefings to customers and Kearfott senior leadership.
Support customer audits, design reviews, and qualification activities.
Ensure programs comply with AS9100, configuration management, and applicable aerospace and defense standards.
Drive disciplined execution, lessons learned, and continuous improvement across engineering and program management processes.
Mentor engineers and junior program managers transitioning into technical leadership or program roles.