Lead Project Engineer

Purpose of Position

FlightSafety is a global leader in developing and delivering high-fidelity flight simulation and training systems for both commercial and military aviation. We design advanced simulators and integrated training environments that help pilots and crews train safely, effectively, and efficiently. Our engineering teams work at the intersection of aerospace, software, and systems innovation to push the boundaries of realism, fidelity, and performance.

The Lead Project Engineer (LPE) is the primary technical leader responsible for the planning, execution, and delivery of complex military flight simulation programs. This role bridges technical engineering management and project execution—serving as the central point of contact for the engineering team, program management, and the military customer. The LPE ensures the flight simulation training device is designed, integrated, and qualified on schedule, within budget, and in strict compliance with defense and contractual requirements.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The following duties are essential to the successful and satisfactory performance of this job. Other duties may be assigned based on departmental needs.

• Technical Execution & Leadership: Lead the technical execution of complex military flight simulation projects from initial concept through final system delivery.
• Primary Point of Contact: Serve as the primary technical interface for internal multi-disciplinary engineering teams, external military customers, and prime contractors.
• Program Management Collaboration: Assist the Program Manager with the development and maintenance of technical project plans, master schedules, budgets, and customer support strategies.
• Cross-Disciplinary Coordination: Coordinate and align day-to-day technical efforts across software engineering, mechanical design, electrical engineering, visual systems, and simulator technicians.
• Milestone Tracking & Reporting: Track engineering progress and milestones using appropriate tools (e.g., Jira, MS Project) to identify critical path items and report project status to stakeholders.
• Risk & Change Management: Proactively identify technical risks, implement mitigation strategies to prevent schedule slips, and evaluate the scope impact of Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs).
• Integration & Lifecycle Management: Drive the master integration schedule, coordinating the transition from hardware fabrication and software builds to full system testing and military qualification.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure all engineering work and system designs strictly align with customer specifications, military regulatory standards, and internal company quality requirements.
• Hands-On Problem Resolution: Facilitate rapid technical problem resolution and provide hands-on support during critical simulator integration and testing phases.
• Proposal & Business Development Support: Support the Systems Engineering team in proposal development, engineering cost estimation, and technical presentations for new projects and contract modifications.
• Operational Flexibility: Travel, shift work, and special work hours may be required to accomplish integration milestones, customer acceptance testing, and on-site deployment tasks.

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, or Systems), Computer Science, or another highly relevant technical field.

Minimum Experience

• 5+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace, defense, or flight simulation industry, including at least 2 years in project leadership, cost-account management, or technical team lead roles.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Required:
• Proven experience leading cross-functional engineering teams through the full development lifecycle of complex aerospace or simulation hardware/software systems
• Strong proficiency in engineering project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira) and schedule management
• Experience tracking engineering metrics, milestones, and budgeting (e.g., CAM or EVMS methodologies)
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to present complex technical topics confidently to military officers, government civilians, and corporate executives
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain DoD Secret Clearance
• Preferred:
• Direct experience managing the delivery of military Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs)
• Familiarity with systems engineering frameworks, configuration management practices, and requirements tracking tools (e.g., Jama, DOORS)
• Knowledge of military acquisition processes and defense standards (e.g., MIL-STD-882E for system safety, RMF for cybersecurity)
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met and or encountered by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of the Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and vibration.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.