Project Engineer

Engineering

Project Engineer Coral Gables, FL Posted: 8/4/2026

Job Description

Job ID#:

224522

Job Category:

Engineering

Position Type:

Associate - W2

Shift:

1

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Project Engineer, in Coral Gables, FL.

Job Description:

This client designs and manufactures flight deck control panels, audio systems, display units, and pilot interface systems for commercial, business, and military aircraft. Searching for a Project Manager with a genuine engineering background to lead cross-functional development programs from concept through certification and delivery. This is a hands-on role. You'll need enough technical depth to have credible, substantive conversations with electrical, mechanical, software, test, & systems engineers as well as manufacturing supervisors to develop & build new products - not just track their schedules.

Program & Project Management

• Own the schedule, budget, scope, and risk register for new product development programs, from requirements capture through RTCA DO-160/DO-254/DO-178C-aligned qualification testing and delivery.

• Build and maintain integrated program schedules across electrical, mechanical, software, and systems engineering disciplines including manufacturing builds of prototypes & initial production units.

• Run design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) and ensure engineering deliverables meet internal gates and customer/regulatory milestones.

• Manage program risk, including supply chain constraints, obsolescence, and technical unknowns; escalate and resolve blockers proactively.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers on program status, contractual issues related to SOW, technical trade-offs, and change requests.

• Identify critical path/long lead material items up-front in the assigned programs.

• Communicate program information internally and externally.

Engineering Involvement

• Participate directly in technical discussions on product offering to customer, design tradeoffs, human-machine interface layout, wiring and connector design, environmental qualification, and integration with aircraft systems.

• Generate product or system specification (SCD) & corresponding Requirements Verification compliance Matrix.

• Assist in reviewing engineering documentation (product requirements, test plans, safety & reliability, non-conformance reports) with enough fluency to catch gaps in the requirements before they become schedule or quality problems.

• Partner with engineering leads to translate customer requirements into actionable technical tasks.

• Identify recurring technical or process bottlenecks and drive improvements to product development workflows.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA/BS in a technical specialty. A combination of education and previous experience may be substituted.

• 2+ years of experience managing or leading technical projects/programs, including schedule, budget, and cross-functional coordination.

• Working knowledge of aerospace development and qualification processes (e.g., DO-160, DO-254, DO-178C) is a plus.

• Demonstrated ability to read and engage with engineering artifacts: schematics, technical requirements documents, drawings, and test procedures, and non-conformance reports.

• Strong communication skills, excellent customer service with experience presenting technical status to both engineers and customers/executives.

• High energy level, comfortable with multi-tasking.

• Must be well-organized, flexible and able to work in a fast paced office environment.

• MS Office Suite including; Outlook, Excel, Access, and MSWord.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Direct experience with flight deck systems and control/display units, human factors or pilot experience, and aircraft installations.

• PMP or similar project/program management certification.

• Prior experience mentoring engineers or leading a small technical team.

Familiarity with MRP/ERP systems

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This role involves occasionally lifting to 20 lbs., frequently up to 10 lbs.

• Most functions are performed while sitting.

• Manual dexterity is required for assembly/testing of circuit boards.

• Visual acuity is required for inspection of components and defects.

Benefits offered to vary by the contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.

Job Requirements

Minimum Security Clearance:

No Clearance

Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act

• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers

• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled