Project Engineer, Principal

Redwire Space

• $175K — $225K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
  • 15+ years experience in production hardware design and testing.
  • Proven leadership in systems-level engineering and technical team management.
  • Familiar with space mechanism design and aerospace standards.
  • Proficient in CAD and PDM systems; knowledge of GD&T and tolerance analysis.
  • Experience in presenting technical information to diverse audiences.
  • Knowledge of root cause analysis processes.

Responsibilities

  • Lead technical execution for complex space hardware projects from concept to delivery.
  • Serve as the primary technical resource and mentor for junior engineers.
  • Maintain technical integrity throughout project phases and lead technical resolution.
  • Translate strategies into system-level requirements; develop lower-level specifications.
  • Conduct design reviews and oversee verification plans and procedures.
  • Create and present comprehensive project documentation.
  • Monitor project scope, schedule, resources, and budget alignment.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional growth and development.
  • Collaboration with a talented, innovative team.
  • Engagement with cutting-edge technology in aerospace.
  • A supportive environment for mentorship and career advancement.
  • Flexible travel options to support project needs.
Full Job Description
We are seeking Principal Project Engineer to join our Goleta, CA team and lead the technical execution of complex, mission-enabling space hardware from concept through delivery. You will drive systems-level design, development, evaluation, and refinement across the entire product lifecycle while contributing as a technical leader in long-range planning and emerging technology development.

Responsibilities
  • Serve as the technical lead for assigned programs or project teams, ensuring scope, schedule, resources, and budget remain aligned.
  • Available as a senior technical resource as needed: customer-facing technical engagement and capture support, informal mentoring of junior and mid-level engineers, and contribution to requirements, verification, and design review practice.
  • Maintain technical integrity throughout all phases of a project and act as the primary point of technical escalation and resolution.
  • Translate product development strategies into system-level requirements and coordinate with engineering disciplines to develop detailed lower-level specifications.
  • Lead design reviews and develop or review verification plans, validation procedures, and customer acceptance test procedures.
  • Generate, review, and present all required project documentation.
  • Develop system-level requirements, verification procedures, and compliance documentation.
  • Ensure requirements traceability and verification through successful test execution.
  • Assess system performance using evaluation criteria, analyses, and technical performance measures.
  • Participate in or lead non-conformance investigations and disposition activities.
  • Serve as a technical liaison with customers and support business development activities as needed.
  • Provide guidance to internal teams at the brand, program, and project levels.
  • Establish and coordinate standards, practices, and procedures related to product development and engineering excellence.
  • Partner with program management to ensure project execution aligns with customer expectations and internal guidelines.
  • Control project costs through effective resource planning and close management of system-level decisions.
  • Support both internal and customer-facing project updates and technical presentations.
  • Travel occasionally as required (approximately 10-15%), primarily local with some overnight trips.

Basic Qualifications
  • B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
  • Minimum of 15+ years of experience in designing, developing, manufacturing, and testing production hardware.
  • Proven systems-level engineering experience and prior leadership of technical teams.
  • Experience with space mechanism design and aerospace guidelines.
  • Proficiency in CAD and PDM systems.
  • Strong drafting knowledge and understanding of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and tolerance analysis.
  • Experience preparing and presenting technical updates to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Familiarity with root cause analysis processes.

Preferred Qualifications
  • M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
  • Experience with PDM Pro, SolidWorks, SolidWorks Simulation, Thermal Desktop, NASTRAN, or ANSYS.
  • Familiarity with aerospace standards such as GSFC-STD-7000A (GEVS), AIAA S-114-2005, NASA-STD-5017, MMPDS, and similar.
  • Experience with graphite and fiberglass composites, photovoltaics, flexible circuits, or printed circuit board assemblies.
  • Background in the design, manufacturing, and verification of PV systems or composite structures.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (SharePoint, Teams); Microsoft Project experience a plus.
  • Training or certification in Lean Six Sigma.
  • Strong attention to detail and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Self-motivated, with the ability to independently apply engineering principles and practices.


Pay Range
$175,000 - $225,000/year

How We Determine What We Pay (Compensation Philosophy)
Redwire determines pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data, for our locations throughout the US. We will evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index, in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company.
For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant's level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. Additionally, we consider the external market rate, the amount we have budgeted internally, and internal equity within the company for the same position. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.

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