Project Engineer - Flight Software (Contract)

AIRBUS U.S. Space & Defense, Inc.

$90K — $120K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
  • 5-7 years of engineering experience in aerospace and defense industry.
  • Minimum 2 years in project engineering or technical lead role.
  • Experience with real-time embedded systems or satellite flight software development.
  • Proficiency with scheduling tools and Earned Value Management System concepts.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the engineering lifecycle for satellite flight software from design to delivery.
  • Track labor utilization and project costs against the baseline budget.
  • Develop and maintain the Integrated Master Schedule for software milestones.
  • Provide technical direction to multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • Act as primary technical contact for US Government customers during reviews and presentations.
  • Identify and mitigate technical, schedule, and cost risks, escalating to leadership as needed.
  • Ensure compliance with AS9100, CMMI, and mission assurance standards.

Benefits

  • Fully remote work opportunities across the United States.
  • Collaborative and multidisciplinary work environment.
  • Experience in a high-stakes aerospace defense project.
  • Engagement with US Government clients at a technical level.
Full Job Description
This position offers fully remote opportunities for candidates across the United States. Preferred work location: Merritt Island, FL.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a high-performing Project Engineer to lead the development, testing, and delivery of mission-critical flight software for an advanced US Government satellite program. In this customer-facing role, you will manage the day-to-day execution of a multidisciplinary engineering team within a matrixed organization. You will hold primary responsibility for schedule adherence, cost tracking, labor utilization, and technical performance metrics, ensuring all deliverables meet strict customer standards.

Position 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.

Qualified Experience / Skills / Training:

Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Experience:
  • Minimum of 5-7 years of engineering experience in the aerospace and defense industry, with at least 2 years in a project engineering or technical lead role.

Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities:
  • 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.

Eligibility:
  • US Citizenship required.

Physical Requirements:
  • 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.

Company Website:

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