Lead Project Engineer

Purpose of Position

The Lead Project Engineer serves as the technical lead for assigned flight simulation programs, overseeing the planning, execution, integration, and delivery of complex engineering projects.  This role interfaces with all engineering disciplines, project management, and the customer (both internal and external) – ensuring that all technical requirements, schedules, and budgets are met.

The Lead Project Engineer is also assigned a specific Learning Center Region and works directly with the respective Regional Director of Simulator Operations and the Training Center Manager of Flight Training Devices to facilitate Simulator Issue identification, prioritization and clearance.  The Lead Project Engineer manages targeted Training Center Issues Clearance efforts and Recurrent Qualification support, working with Production Support Software Engineering and Simulation Engineering to expedite Issue clearance.

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.

• Act as the Project Lead for targeted Simulated Projects, leading the technical execution of flight simulation projects from concept through delivery.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for internal teams and external customers.
• Assist the Program Manager with technical project plans, schedules, budgets, customer support, and risk assessments.
• Coordinate technical efforts across multiple disciplines (software, mechanical, electrical, visual, and simulator technicians.
• Ensure all engineering work aligns with customer specifications, regulatory standards, and company quality requirements.
• Support requirements definition, design reviews, integration, and system verification activities.
• Track progress using appropriate tools and report project status, risks, and mitigations to stakeholders.
• Facilitate problem resolution and provide hands-on support during integration and testing phases.
• Act as the liaison between the Regional Directors and their Learning Center MFTD’s and Simulation Engineering and Production Support Software Team.
• Assists the MFTD’s in identifying and prioritizing Simulator Issues.
• Work with Production Support Software Engineering and Simulation Engineering to resolve Training Center Issues.
• Manage the targeted Training Center Issues Clearance efforts and Recurrent Qualification support.  Coordinating on-site activities, including Simulator Schedules, SME support for issue clarification, evaluation and Issue closure and scheduling promotion of software final load to a regulatory qualifiable Training load.
• Support the Systems Engineer in proposal development, cost estimation, and technical presentations for new projects.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives in project execution and engineering processes.
• Travel, shift work, and special work hours may be required to accomplish some of the above tasks.
• May be required to apply for and maintain a security clearance.

Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

Minimum Experience

• 5+ years of experience in requirements engineering or systems engineering, ideally within the aerospace or flight simulation industry.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Required:

• Strong understanding of project engineering principles including requirements management, lifecycle management, configuration management, change management, and risk assessment.
• Proven ability to analyze, write, and validate complex technical requirements across multiple domains.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong attention to detail.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and facilitate customer or internal design reviews.
• Knowledge in project engineering, preferably in the aerospace, defense, or simulation industries.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently or on a team without constant direct supervision.
• Ability to exercise good judgement and to assume responsibility for accuracy and completeness of work.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance (if needed on the project assigned)

Preferred:

• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools such as Cameo, Enterprise Architect, or similar.
• Knowledge of aircraft systems and aviation
• Experience with flight simulation standards (e.g., FAA Part 60, ICAO, or military simulation standards)
• Knowledge of software/hardware integration, network protocols, and real-time operating systems
• Familiarity with DOORS, Jama, Jira, Git, or other configuration and requirements management tools
• Knowledge of software and hardware integration processes in real-time

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 accommodation 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 area is usually moderate.