Sr. Project Engineer - Flight Software (Contract)

This position offers fully remote opportunities for candidates across the United States. Preferred work location: Merritt Island, FL.

Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc offers advanced solutions to meet the most complex U.S. defense, security, space, and intelligence requirements. Celebrating over 50 years in the US, we remain a trusted government partner, leveraging world-class satellite, laser communication, rotor and fixed wing solutions to help our national security, defense and space focused customers meet their missions.

Airbus U.S. looks to employ a commitment driven team, dedicated to enabling our customer's mission success. We are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive work environment and a welcoming and engaging staff. With competitive compensation and superior employee benefits, as well as a commitment to fostering individual career growth, Airbus U.S. is the place where top talent wants to work.

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.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Execution: Lead the end-to-end engineering lifecycle for satellite flight software from initial design through final delivery and integration.
• Earned Value Management: Track labor utilization, manage project costs, and analyze performance metrics against the baseline budget.
• Schedule Management: Develop, maintain, and own the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for all software development and testing milestones.
• Technical Leadership: Provide clear technical direction to a matrixed engineering team, including software developers, systems engineers, GNC specialists, and functional validation testers.
• Customer Interface: Serve as a primary technical point of contact for US Government customers, leading technical reviews, status updates, and milestone presentations.
• Risk Management: Identify, mitigate, and track technical, schedule, and cost risks, escalating critical blockers to the Flight Software IPT leader.
• Process Compliance: 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. Master's degree in aerospace engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of engineering experience in the aerospace and defense industry, with at least 4 years in a project engineering or technical lead role.

Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities:

• Domain Expertise: Proven track record working on software development projects, ideally involving real-time embedded systems or satellite flight software.
• Program Management Tools: Proficiency with scheduling tools (e.g., MS Project) and Earned Value Management System (EVMS) concepts.
• Leadership Skills:  Demonstrated ability to influence and drive results across cross-functional, matrixed engineering teams without direct reporting authority.
• Communication: 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.
• Equipme