Lead Project Engineer

Lead Project Engineer - Defense - Onsite Position

We are seeking a Lead Project Engineer in Santa Clarita, CA to provide technical leadership and program execution support across complex, mission-critical defense engineering initiatives. This role focuses on driving program performance, supporting cross-functional coordination, and ensuring alignment with customer requirements and business objectives.

The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) management and solid proficiency in Microsoft Project, with demonstrated experience contributing to large-scale, multi-disciplinary programs in defense or aerospace environments.

Location: Santa Clarita, CA- Onsite

Salary Range: $ 108,900.00 - 145,200.00 USD annual per year plus bonus

Please note that the salary range information provided is a general guideline only, reflecting a position based in California. Criteria such as the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience, the scope of the specific position, as well as market and business considerations will be evaluated when extending an offer.

Your Challenge:

• Lead execution of key program activities within complex defense programs, ensuring alignment with defined objectives, customer requirements, and organizational priorities.

• Develop and maintain Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), identifying risks, dependencies, and critical paths to support on-time program delivery.

• Partner with program leadership to provide schedule insights, highlight risks, and support data-driven decision-making.

• Coordinate with cross-functional engineering teams to achieve program milestones, operating effectively within a matrixed organization.

• Apply established best practices in program execution, including schedule management, cost awareness, and risk mitigation.

• Support technical reviews of designs, specifications, and system architectures to ensure compliance with performance and defense standards.

• Assist in resolving technical and programmatic issues, balancing cost, schedule, and performance considerations.

• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts by enhancing engineering processes, tools, and execution methodologies.

• Support development of test strategies, validation activities, and system integration planning to ensure product readiness.

• Collaborate with manufacturing and production teams to support production readiness and lifecycle considerations.

• Participate in customer interactions, including technical discussions and program reviews, as needed.

• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior engineers, supporting team development and knowledge sharing.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required; Master’s degree or relevant certifications are a plus.

• 8–12+ years of engineering experience, preferably within defense or aerospace programs.

• Experience contributing to complex programs with involvement in scope, schedule, and delivery execution.

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Project and Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) management.

• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at multiple levels.

• Solid systems-level understanding with the ability to work across engineering disciplines.

• Familiarity with risk management, cost tracking, and program execution frameworks (e.g., EVMS is a plus).

• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills in dynamic environments.

Who We Are:

Our Values
Environmental, Social and Governance
The Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions facility in Santa Clarita, California is the center of excellence for hardware level system integration and advanced package design.
Integrated Systems in Santa Clarita prides itself on experience, expertise, and low risk solutions. Our primary focus is understanding the technical challenges our customers face and creating partnerships in order to provide a high TRL solution.
For more information visit: Santa Clarita, California | Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions (curtisswrightds.com)

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No unsolicited agency submittals please.  Agency partners must be invited to participate in a search by our Talent Acquisition Team and have signed terms in place prior to any submittal.  Resumes submitted directly to any Curtiss-Wright employee or affiliate will not qualify for fee payment, and therefore become the property of Curtiss-Wright.  

Compliance Statement

This position may require exposure to export-controlled information and subject to additional security screening.  In the event information provided during the security screening reveals ineligibility to access export-controlled information, any offer of employment may be reconsidered or withdrawn. 

Curtiss-Wright is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, age, ancestry, legally protected medical condition, family care status, marital status, religion, veteran status, national origin, or any other legally protected status. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Talent Acquisition.

For US Applicants: EEO is The Law – click here for more information.

If you require accommodation due to a disability at any time during the recruitment and/or assessment process, please contact Talent Acquisition and we will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.