Project Manager Job Description
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. is seeking a full-time project manager to work within our project teams. ESAero is a growing aerospace company in the San Luis Obispo area and provides various services which include but are not limited to: rapid system development, on-demand niche engineering, hands-on development/testing, and small UAS aerospace system manufacturing.
**This position is fully on-site at Empirical Systems Aerospace in San Luis Obispo, CA
ESAero utilizes a project team methodology to execute engineering contracts. Projects are managed by a combination of a project manager and a lead engineer. The project manager handles customer facing project administration and is responsible for driving project performance and results. The lead engineer has overall responsibility for all the technical aspects of each project.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Manager’s role will include, but is not limited to:
- Managing customer relationships and expectations, ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Understanding contractual requirements and making sure they are met.
- Developing and managing project schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
- Identifying risks to budget and schedule and orchestrating risk mitigation plans,
- Reporting project status to external customer(s), the project team, and senior leadership.
- Working with cost accounting to ensure accurate project performance and projections.
- Ensure that project tasking remains within agreed upon scope.
- Develop initial or follow-on quotes, SOWs, and proposals.
- Initiate customer interaction to get contracts modified in the event of any changes to the contracted project scope.
• The Project Manager will work hand in hand with the assigned project Lead Engineer to:
- Coordinate any sub-contracting and/or outsourcing.
- Develop Statements of Work (SOW), project plans, schedules and budgets.
- Ensure all regulatory and customer requirements are considered and executed in the project plan.
- Define deliverables and work with customers to finalize acceptance criteria.
- Define resource requirements and work with other ESAero management to secure the resources required for successful project execution.
• The Project Manager will coordinate with Quality Assurance and the Chief Engineer to:
- Develop a quality plan for each project and ensure its execution.
- Identify and execute traceability requirements, inspection requirements, test requirements and FAI requirements
- Ensure all quality requirements have been met prior to delivery.
• The Project Manager will coordinate with the Manufacturing/Operations leads and the lead Engineer to:
- Identify and secure machine availability, machinist, assembly, material handling, and test personnel to support project deliverables and schedules.
- Identify and secure enough space and the appropriate equipment needed to support the project team.
- Identify any training requirements needed by the project team and/or manufacturing personnel in support of the project team, and ensure the training is conducted timely.
Essential Qualifications:
- Due to Federal Government Contracts US Citizenship is required
- Demonstrated experience in Project and/or Program Management is required.
- BA/BS degree in engineering, or a technical related field; MA/MS or MBA degree preferred
- Formal project management education or training
- 5-7+ years’ experience in any combination of the following areas: program management, project management, engineering, quality, contracts, operations, procurement and/or supplier management.
- Excellent computer skills are a must, including a variety of software applications; experience with project management software like Microsoft Project tracking/scheduling software
- Expertise working with cross-functional teams.
- Experience in aerospace program management is preferred.
- Experience with financial forecasting
- Responsible for promoting actively an ethics-based business culture in his/her project team(s), ensuring that all associates are aware of, and fully comply with, ESAero’s “Code of Ethics,” and related policies.
Necessary Skills, Knowledge & Judgement:
- Must possess solid organizational skills and attention to detail
- MRP/ERP experience a plus
- Disciplined execution of processes and systems
- Familiar with ISO9001/AS9100
- Knowledge of ASTM workmanship standards
- Ability to read engineering drawings
- Knowledge of DFAR, TINA, ITAR a plus
Standard Benefits:
• Health: Health/Dental/Vision
• PTO
• Retirement: 401k
• Casual dress code, Free snacks
• Amazing location to live, work, and play
ESAero is an equal opportunity employer.
Must present proof of authorization to work in the United States
Must be able to pass background check
Hiring Range: $85,000 - $175,000 annually
What We Do
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero), an aerospace engineering design and manufacturing company, specializes in cost-effective development of innovative and advanced concepts, with emphasis on simple honesty and a track record of commitment. Since 2003, ESAero has served the needs of the engineering industry through its work on military and commercial conceptual air vehicle designs, electric and hybrid propulsion system development, aircraft modifications, sub-scale technology demonstrators, rapid system prototyping, design for manufacturing, low-rate initial production, manufacturing, and niche engineering support. An “Advanced Design Group to Advanced Design Groups”, ESAero is the Prime Contractor and Integrator of the NASA X-57 “Maxwell” all-electric airplane. ESAero customers include multiple NASA Centers, AFRL, AMRDEC, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Atomics, Electricore, and AeroVironment. With a 32,000 sq.ft. design & manufacturing facility located in San Luis Obispo, CA and an 8,000 sq.ft. integration and test location at the Oceano (CA) County Airport (L52), ESAero has expanded operations and airport space for system testing and product development. ESAero will continue to provide the aviation and aerospace industries with cutting-edge systems solutions and optimized manufacturing practices.
With an emphasis on quality, cost, and/or time, ESAero performs design, analytical, prototyping, and testing services for systems ranging from conceptual aerospace designs to aircraft seeking supplemental type certificates.
• Proven solutions that focus on the quality of results
• Rapid system development
• Hands-on development/testing to achieve customer goals
• “Out-of-the-Box” thinking and engineering
• Customized project plans structured for efficiency to meet larger program goals of cost or time
• On-demand niche engineering team to supplement ongoing projects
For more information, please visit our website at www.esaero.com or call (805) 275-1053.