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.
• 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.

Equal Opportunity:

Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status.

As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

By submitting your resume or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus. Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to HR@airbusus.com.

Company Website: www.airbusus.com