Sr. Engineering Project Manager

Founded in 1918, Kearfott Corporation, a global Aerospace and Defense supplier for over 100 years, is a leader in the design and manufacture of precision motion control products and inertial navigation components.

Kearfott has a very long history of innovation and excellence and is the go-to brand for many of our global clients. Kearfott is trusted, respected and plays a vital role in the success of America’s aerospace and defense industries. With over a century of expertise & experience, Kearfott is dedicated to providing quality, reliability, and cutting-edge technology to customers worldwide to meet their sea, land, air, and space navigation and guidance requirements.

We are looking for talented individuals who want to be part of a world-class work force. Join Kearfott and become part of a company that is recognized for technical expertise and respected world-wide as a ‘full service’ provider.

For more information visit our website at www.kearfott.com

Sr. Engineering Project Manager 

Position Overview

The Engineering Project Manager is responsible for executing complex inertial navigation and guidance projects across development, qualification, production, and sustainment. This role is intended for an experienced professional who has progressed through an engineering career such as systems, electrical, mechanical, or software engineering—and has served as an engineering lead or technical lead prior to assuming full project management responsibility.

The position leverages deep technical understanding to drive disciplined execution, effectively bridge engineering and operations, and lead cross-functional teams delivering mission-critical navigation and guidance systems.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Program Leadership

• Lead Guidance & Navigation projects involving INS, IMUs, gyroscopes, accelerometers, navigation electronics, and integrated guidance solutions.
• Apply prior engineering and technical leadership experience to guide technical decision-making, trade studies, and issue resolution.
• Translate system requirements and technical risks into executable program plans and schedules.
• Serve as the primary technical and programmatic interface between engineering teams, operations, and customers.

Engineering & Cross-Functional Execution

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams including systems engineering, hardware and software engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and test.
• Chair and actively participate in technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR), leveraging hands-on engineering background to challenge assumptions and ensure technical rigor.
• Ensure alignment between engineering design intent and manufacturing execution.

Planning, Schedule & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain integrated master schedules (IMS), budgets, and resource plans tied to engineering and production milestones.
• Apply earned value management (EVM) or similar performance metrics where required.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical, cost, schedule, and supply-chain risks inherent to precision navigation and guidance systems.

Financial & Contract Management

• Manage program budgets, forecasts, and cost controls to meet margin, cash, and delivery objectives.
• Support proposal development, cost estimates, and schedule builds for new and follow-on Guidance & Navigation programs.
• Manage contract changes, scope adjustments, and customer-directed engineering modifications.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary program interface to government and commercial customers, with the technical credibility to discuss system design, performance, and qualification.
• Prepare and deliver program and technical status briefings to customers and Kearfott senior leadership.
• Support customer audits, design reviews, and qualification activities.

Quality, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure programs comply with AS9100, configuration management, and applicable aerospace and defense standards.
• Drive disciplined execution, lessons learned, and continuous improvement across engineering and program management processes.
• Mentor engineers and junior program managers transitioning into technical leadership or program roles.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, Software, or related discipline).
• 8–12+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability systems, including:
• Prior experience as an engineer and
• Experience as an engineering lead, technical lead, or systems lead before moving into project or program management.
• Demonstrated experience managing technically complex development and/or production programs for inertial navigation, guidance, or sensor-based systems.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering, hardware/software integration, environmental qualification, and test.
• Proven ability to lead engineers and cross-functional teams through technically challenging programs.
• Proficiency with program planning and execution tools (e.g., MS Project, ERP/MRP systems).
• Must be a US Citizen.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering or MBA.
• PMP certification.
• Experience with government contracts, FAR/DFARS, and EVM.
• Familiarity with INS/IMU performance, error modeling, calibration, and environmental qualification (MIL-STD-810, DO-160).
• Experience in AS9100-certified design and manufacturing environments.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, if required.
• Willingness to travel to customer, supplier, or test sites as needed.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and technical communication skills.

This position is 100% onsite at our Pine Brook, NJ location.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New Jersey is $150,000 - $200,000 Annually. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as the final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge and skills, experience, and internal consistency.

Additionally, we offer medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with company match, tuition assistance, paid vacation and sick days, paid holidays, and a 9/80 work week with every other Friday off. Our work environment embraces our people as we enjoy monthly employee events that celebrate our workplace culture.

Equal Opportunity Employer/including Disabled/Veterans