Client: One of the largest Aerospace and Defense companies in the US

Overview:

We are seeking a Project Engineer to serve as the Integrated Product Team Lead (IPTL) within our Weapon System Integration (WSI) Team in Indianapolis, Indiana. This leadership role drives technical and programmatic excellence in airborne systems development. The IPTL will be part of a dynamic and multidiscipline development team, providing leadership and establishing a vision to inspire the team to exceed program objectives. The position requires a strong engineering development background and collaboration across internal teams and Department of Defense (DoD) service areas: the United States Army (USA), United States Air Force (USAF), United States Marine Corps (USMC), and United States Navy (USN). This role also involves close collaboration with the Program Manager to address programmatic concerns, ensure adherence to schedules, budgets, and technical objectives, and deliver compliant solutions to customers while fostering strong stakeholder relationships.

Duties:

• Taking full ownership of product cost, schedule, and technical performance, while leading the development of innovative technical solutions.
• Leading a cross-functional technical team for development and production of airborne software/mechanical systems and structural elements to withstand flight stresses.
• Providing programmatic and technical direction alongside the Program Manager, including staffing forecasts and engaging resource managers to ensure tasks are executed within allocated schedules, budgets, and requirements.
• Representing the product team at Configuration Control Boards (CCBs), Engineering Review Boards (ERBs), and Failure Review Boards (FRBs).
• Providing inputs to internal and external Program Management Reviews (PMRs) and coordinating Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs) with customers and subcontractors.
• Leading technical and cost estimation efforts for Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) and new initiatives.
• Acting as the Control Account Manager (CAM) for Earned Value (EV) and Estimates at Complete (EAC) for the product team.
• Managing risk and opportunity planning for the product team.
• Elevating issues and risks to the appropriate levels within the Program Office, Portfolio Chief Engineer, and Engineering management.
• Delegating tasks effectively to the cross-functional team.
• Managing and mentoring product team members to optimize performance.
• Ensuring team compliance with established processes.
• Overseeing product team readiness for milestone reviews, such as System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR), and Test Readiness Reviews (TRR).
• Collaborating closely with the Portfolio Chief Engineer to align the program with portfolio strategies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field with 10+ years of experience or Master’s degree in STEM or MBA preferred.
• Experience with internal engineering processes and managing projects.
• Project Engineer or Manager experience.
• Strong technical background with project leadership experience.
• Earned Value Management (EVM) experience in tracking and optimizing cost and schedule performance.

Desired:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification.
• Proven track record of delivering successful engineering projects.
• Six (6) or more years of successful Department of Defense (DoD) program management or Integrated Product Team (IPT) experience.
• Experience on DoD Internal Research and Development (IRAD, Customer Research and Development (CRAD), Technical Demonstration (TD), System Development and Demonstration (SDD) or Engineering, Manufacturing, & Development (EMD) Programs.
• Experience on DoD Production, Depot, Refurbishment, or Repair type programs.
• Experience with weapon systems or special mission military platforms, architectures, capabilities, customers, and/or missions.
• Leadership experience on aerospace/defense programs working for large Prime contractors as a subcontractor