Project Engineer IV

San Diego, CA

Full Time

Project Engineering

Experienced

GROW WITH US AND STAY EXTRAORDINARY:
Launch your career to new heights with Innoflight—one of San Diego’s fastest-growing Aerospace and Defense innovators. Here, visionary minds engineer the future of space technology through pioneering, compact, and cyber-secure solutions. From software-defined radios to cutting-edge cryptographic systems and avionics, everything we build powers the next era of New Space. Join our small, agile, and mission-driven team where your work has real impact and your growth has no limits. We’re not just reaching for the stars—we’re engineering them. Let’s innovate the infinite, together.

A DAY IN THE LIFE:
As a Project Engineer IV, you’ll operate as a senior technical leader responsible for guiding advanced space-capable products from concept through delivery. You’ll lead cross-functional engineering teams—spanning Software, Hardware, Mechanical, FPGA, Systems, and Test—through architecture development, requirements definition, integration, verification, and transition to manufacturing. You’ll serve as the primary technical interface to customers and internal stakeholders, resolving complex engineering challenges, driving strategic design decisions, and ensuring mission success across all phases of the program. Your decisions shape system performance, technical rigor, and overall program execution.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Lead Full Lifecycle Engineering: Direct cross-functional teams through concept development, requirements definition, architecture, detailed design, integration, verification, and manufacturing transition for advanced satellite electronics.
Represent Technical Leadership to Customers: Serve as the primary engineering point of contact, driving technical discussions, clarifying requirements, presenting design decisions, and maintaining strong customer relationships.
Own System Requirements and Architecture: Capture, validate, and manage system requirements for embedded real-time space systems; develop system-level architectures and allocate requirements across engineering disciplines.
Drive Cross-Functional Design Execution: Lead Hardware, Software, FPGA, Systems, and Test engineering in defining derived requirements, resolving interface challenges, and developing compliant, high-performance system designs.
Define Verification Strategy: Partner with Systems Engineering to build verification plans, define system test cases, establish performance criteria, and ensure complete requirements traceability.
Lead Integration and Test: Plan and oversee system-level integration and test activities, troubleshoot complex technical issues, and ensure efficient progression through verification and validation phases.
Ensure High-Quality Engineering Deliverables: Review and approve design documentation, analyses, ICDs, test procedures, and verification reports, ensuring technical accuracy and completeness.
Run Major Design Reviews: Lead PDRs, CDRs, TRRs, and other key customer and internal reviews, ensuring readiness, compliance with specifications, and alignment with contractual objectives.

YOU’RE AWESOME AT:

Cross-Functional Technical Leadership: You excel at guiding diverse engineering teams through complex system development with clarity, structure, and technical authority.
System Architecture & Requirements Ownership: You’re strong in system-level thinking, trade studies, interface management, and the rigorous development of embedded real-time systems.
Technical Problem Solving: You can diagnose, model, and resolve multifaceted hardware/software/FPGA integration challenges with minimal guidance.
Stakeholder Communication: You’re confident and articulate when engaging customers, presenting design decisions, and representing program technical status.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
7 or more years of experience leading complex engineering projects and cross-functional teams.
Experience guiding programs from concept through delivery while balancing technical, schedule, and resource constraints.
Deep expertise in embedded systems development, debugging, integration, and real-time system behavior.
Experience with system architecture, design optimization, and advanced performance analysis.
Knowledge of RTOS, low-level device drivers, and Linux-based development environments.
Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, including requirements management, verification/validation, and interface control.
Ability to evaluate and optimize system-level trade-offs across hardware, software, and FPGA domains.
Strong understanding of networking and communication protocols used in embedded and aerospace systems.
Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and drive results.
Experience in aerospace or defense environments and familiarity with industry standards and compliance frameworks (preferred).
Ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
The starting base salary for this position ranges from $150,000 to $170,000 per year, depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to a competitive base salary, Innoflight offers a well-rounded compensation package that includes a Profit-Sharing Bonus and a Cash Performance Bonus to reward both individual and company performance. Additional benefits include:

401(k) with 3% company match (automatic enrollment)
Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, HSA & life insurance
10 paid holidays + 120 hours PTO (starting in year one)
Access to ancillary benefits such as critical illness, accident, disability, legal and pet insurance.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE WORKING HERE:

Flexible Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off—whether you use it to recharge, work on a passion project, or spend time with family, the choice is yours.
Continuous Learning & Development: We’re serious about professional development. From tuition reimbursement to internal "Ask Me Anything" sessions and weekly “Lunch & Learns,” we make learning a core part of the job.
Mission-Driven Culture: We aren’t just building tech—we’re enabling the next era of space exploration. Our Culture Ambassadors help lead initiatives around inclusion, positivity, recognition, and transparency. Here, your voice is heard, your work is respected, and your individuality is celebrated.

BE YOU, WITH US:
At Innoflight, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone belongs. We recognize that great talent comes in many forms, and you don’t need to meet every requirement to bring value to our team. If this role excites you, we encourage you to apply—even if you don’t check every box.

YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Potential new employees must successfully complete a background check which includes criminal search, education certification and employment verification prior to hire. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S as you must have the ability to obtain a security clearance. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

A NOTE TO STAFFING AGENCIES:
Innoflight does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies, recruiters, or any third-party sources. Any such submissions will be considered property of Innoflight, and no fees will be paid in the event a candidate is hired from an unsolicited referral.

To California residents applying for this job, please read Innoflight’s CCPA Notice: https://www.innoflight.com/careers/california-consumer-privacy-act-notice-for-job-applicants.

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Project Engineer IV

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