Senior Engineering Project Lead

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Engineering Project Lead based in the United States.** The Senior Engineering Project Lead will oversee engineering execution for complex technology and mission-critical programs, guiding multidisciplinary teams from planning through system integration, testing, and verification. This leadership role combines technical expertise with project management to ensure engineering deliverables meet quality standards, schedules, budgets, and performance objectives. You will coordinate resources, manage technical risks, resolve project challenges, and foster collaboration across engineering teams and organizational stakeholders. The position also contributes to proposal development, cost estimation, and continuous improvement initiatives. Success requires strong decision-making, clear communication, and the ability to motivate teams while maintaining accountability for results. This opportunity offers the chance to influence advanced engineering solutions in a collaborative environment supporting demanding national security and defense missions. ### Accountabilities - Plan, authorize, coordinate, and monitor engineering activities, ensuring project milestones and technical objectives are achieved. - Build and staff project teams in collaboration with engineering leadership, assigning the appropriate personnel and resources to meet project needs. - Foster cross-functional collaboration, resolve disagreements, and build consensus among engineering teams and stakeholders. - Oversee engineering performance, cost, scope, and schedules, including subcontracted activities where applicable. - Validate overall system requirements and ensure successful system integration, testing, and verification. - Ensure engineering deliverables, technical documentation, and project outputs meet quality standards and are completed on time. - Develop, maintain, and execute engineering plans aligned with project objectives and established engineering practices. - Identify and manage engineering risks and opportunities, anticipate emerging technical or resource needs, and implement corrective actions when required. - Support project change management processes and maintain effective coordination across organizational interfaces. - Manage engineering resources, including personnel assignments, capital equipment, and scope allocation. - Define, analyze, track, and report engineering project performance metrics, including relevant schedule, cost, and quality indicators. - Conduct monthly engineering status reviews and prepare supporting information for broader program reviews. - Lead the resolution of technical issues, communicate their impact, and ensure timely follow-through. - Conduct lessons-learned reviews following major project phases to identify opportunities for improvement. - Establish clear project goals, maintain team motivation, recognize individual contributions, and provide performance feedback where appropriate. - Take timely, decisive action to address technical challenges, performance concerns, and project execution risks. - Lead small proposals and Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), identifying cross-business-unit strengths and technical gaps. - Assist with Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost and effort estimates. - Identify opportunities to apply artificial intelligence (AI) to improve engineering processes, productivity, and innovation. - Depending on project size, lead small- to medium-sized engineering teams and initiatives or support the leadership of larger programs. ### Requirements - Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related science, engineering, or mathematics discipline, with at least 10 years of relevant experience; alternatively, a master's degree with at least 8 years of relevant experience. - U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense Secret security clearance within a reasonable timeframe. Selected candidates must meet government eligibility requirements for access to classified information. - Demonstrated experience leading engineering projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and managing technical work against defined objectives. - Strong organizational, planning, prioritization, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing demands and maintain project momentum. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical topics, project status, risks, impacts, and corrective actions to diverse audiences. - Proven leadership, team-building, motivation, conflict-resolution, negotiation, and problem-solving capabilities. - Recognized proficiency in project management, including the ability to apply advanced engineering technologies, principles, theories, and concepts to complex technical environments. - Strong understanding of engineering processes, established practices, and organizational policies. - Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and Microsoft Project. - Familiarity with different project life cycles and methodologies, including Agile. - Ability to apply project performance and financial management principles, including Schedule Performance Index (SPI), Cost Performance Index (CPI), Earned Value Management, Cost Account Management (CAM), and Statistical Process Control. - Ability to anticipate future technology, process, and skills requirements and translate technical developments into business value. - Strong reporting and analytical skills, including the ability to communicate project measures and progress clearly and accurately. - A proactive leadership approach, with the confidence to address performance issues and drive accountability. - Interest in identifying and applying AI-enabled opportunities for continuous improvement and engineering innovation. ### Benefits - Annual salary: Estimated range of $173,032–$182,495 USD, depending on experience, geographic location, and other relevant factors. Actual compensation may vary. - Flexible work environment: The role lists telework as an option, with additional listed locations in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Boise, Idaho. Confirm the specific remote-work arrangements and location requirements during the hiring process. - Competitive benefits package: The employer describes its benefits as highly competitive, although individual benefit details are not specified in the provided posting. - Recognition and career development: A work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. - Mission-driven work: The opportunity to contribute to advanced engineering and technology solutions supporting defense, scientific, and national security missions. - Collaborative culture: Work alongside experienced professionals in a high-performance engineering environment focused on innovation, shared purpose, and technical excellence.