Senior Project Engineer

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:

Airbus U.S. Space and Defense, Inc. seeks a Project Engineer to support the development of an advanced Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) in a competitive, multi-partner environment. Candidates must have a strong engineering background and experience in aerospace programs. As a Project Engineer on this uncrewed aircraft system, you will work with an international team of Airbus engineers and collaborate with multiple partners to ensure seamless functionality. This role requires a technically proficient and highly collaborative professional to lead the integration of system components while serving as the technical representative on the proposal team. You will ensure all technical aspects align with program requirements, stakeholder expectations, and the broader defense industry landscape. Additionally, you will help synchronize project schedules, assist in management of proposal pricing, and drive continuous improvement while fostering innovation in UAS technologies and engineering practices.

Project Engineering 50%

• Perform duties as described by the Program Manager and Director of Engineering
• Lead and coordinate technical development efforts across multiple industry and government partners.
• Serve as the primary technical interface between engineering teams, subcontractors, and external stakeholders.
• Ensure integration of mission-critical technologies, including avionics, sensors, communications, and propulsion systems.
• Manage system architecture, trade studies, and risk assessments to optimize performance, cost, and schedule.
• Conduct design reviews, verification and validation (V&V), and test planning to meet DoD/UAS program requirements.
• Track and manage technical baselines, compliance matrices, and performance specifications.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including mechanical, electrical, software, and flight test engineers.
• Manage risk, cost, and schedule trade-offs in a competitive development environment.
• Coordinate efforts with industry partners, subcontractors, and government stakeholders to align technical roadmaps.

Proposal Support & Competitive Strategy 25%

• Act as the technical lead for the proposal team, ensuring engineering solutions align with the capture strategy and customer needs.
• Develop technical volumes, white papers, and briefings for internal and external stakeholders.
• Work closely with business development, finance, and program management teams to ensure technical feasibility aligns with cost and schedule constraints.
• Support proposal reviews, red teams, and customer engagements with clear and compelling technical justifications.
• Identify key discriminators and value propositions to enhance the program's competitive positioning.
• Identify and implement emerging technologies to enhance system capabilities.
• Provide expertise in UAS payload integration, autonomy, communications, and survivability in contested environments.
• Serve as a technical advisor to leadership and government customers on engineering decisions.

General Engineering Support 25%

• Provide expertise in UAS payload integration, autonomy, communications, and survivability in contested environments.
• Serve as a technical advisor to leadership and government customers on engineering decisions.
• Lead and coordinate system architecture, requirements development, and technical integration for UAS platforms.
• Ensure compliance with DoD and industry standards for airworthiness, cybersecurity, and mission effectiveness.
• Support model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and digital engineering approaches.
• Develop and execute test plans, flight test campaigns, and system evaluations to verify performance.
• Work with simulation, modeling, and prototyping teams to validate designs.

Qualified Experience / Skills / Training:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) with relevant Requirements Engineering work experience
• Preferred: Master's in degree in Systems Engineering or a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) with relevant Engineering work experience

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years with a Bachelor's degree, or 5 years with a Master's degree
• Proven track record of working with aerospace hardware systems, from conceptual designs and trade-offs through detailed design, development, manufacturing, integration, testing, deployment, and operations

Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities:

• Solid foundation in systems engineering with hands-on experience in developing, integrating, and testing complex aerospace systems, including avionics, sensors, communications, and propulsion components.
• Proven ability to coordinate cross-functional technical teams and support collaboration between government, industry, and subcontractor partners in support of UAS programs.
• Experience serving as a key technical liaison, contributing to the alignment of engineering efforts with customer requirements and program objectives.
• Skilled in system architecture development and integration, including conducting trade studies, supporting risk assessments, and optimizing system performance across cost and schedule constraints.
• Contributing member of proposal and capture teams, assisting in the development of technical volumes, white papers, and briefings that support competitive strategies.
• Working knowledge of DoD acquisition and UAS program requirements, with experience tracking compliance with airworthiness, cybersecurity, and mission assurance standards.
• Hands-on experience supporting design reviews and test campaigns, including verification and validation (V&V) planning, execution, and reporting.
• Familiar with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and digital engineering tools to support technical development and system design analysis.
• Applied experience with UAS payload integration, autonomy, and system survivability concepts, particularly in support of operations in contested environments.
• Ability to identify and communicate technical risks and trade-offs, with growing experience in making data-driven recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.
• Effective communicator and technical team contributor, with a track record of delivering results in dynamic, schedule-driven environments.

Travel Required:

• Periodic travel (less than 20%) to Airbus U.S. Space and Defense, Inc. facilities or partner companies
• Occasional international travel to collaborate with European Airbus Helicopter counterparts

Eligibility:

US Citizenship

Clearance:

Ability to obtain and maintain a Government security clearance Active DoD security clearance at Secret or above highly desirable

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 Employment 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.

www.airbusus.com