Manager, Project Engineering

Aerojet Rocketdyne is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader providing propulsion and energetics to its space, missile defense, strategic, tactical missile and armaments customers throughout domestic and international markets. The company offers a complete line of propulsion products for launch vehicles, missile defense, tactical and advanced hypersonic propulsion.  Visit our website at www.rocket.com for more information on Aerojet Rocketdyne.

Aerojet Rocketdyne is seeking a Project Engineering Manager (Space Systems) to join our Redmond, WA location.

Chemical and electric propulsion systems are key components of satellites used by our military, NASA, and commercial satellite service providers.  Missions include interplanetary exploration, Earth orbit raising, and orbit maintenance for small, medium, and very large spacecraft.  Aerojet Rocketdyne is a major supplier of these enabling propulsion systems and sub-systems, as well as similar systems used for upper stage attitude control and defense applications.  In this role, you will be responsible for providing knowledgeable project engineers to support both the Space and Defense Business Units (primarily Space Systems).  This includes working with the Aerojet Rocketdyne discipline organizations to identify engineers for the project engineering organization, as well as mentoring and developing project engineers within the group to maintain the group’s capacity and capability to support the business.  The successful candidate will help assure the success of space missions through robust technical planning, development, qualification, and production of in-space chemical and electric thrusters and propulsion systems. The candidate will demonstrate attention to detail and the highest standards of quality assurance for the production of mission critical hardware. The successful candidate will also be a key resource in the strategic planning and technology development of new electric and chemical propulsion products.

You will be expected to manage others such that they have opportunities for career growth and job satisfaction, while simultaneously producing a high quality product.  At Aerojet Rocketdyne, an Engineering Manager collaborates with multiple disciplines within the company and with our customers to deliver hardware enabling the missions to be possible, successful, and cost effective.

This current opening may be filled at this level as posted or at one level higher.

40% – Responsible for ensuring project engineering teams implement appropriate engineering best practices, technical risk management, developing and updating Design Development Plans and program schedule management on programs under this manager.  Includes consistent application and improvement plans for project engineer executed processes and tools across all programs.

35% – Work with Program Chief Engineers to define project engineer resource needs taking into account staffing risks and opportunities.  Assess health of project engineer organization to meet current and future program needs.  Provide coaching and career development and resource assignment.  Work proactively with program management team to address resource conflicts and develop needed skill sets to support technical excellence.   Establish project engineer development and succession plans and monitor progress.

10% – Plan and manage the overhead budget and control staffing resources to meet those budget requirements.  Provide input to the financial planning organization. Track and meet all financial goals.  Support proposal activities and manage internal research and development efforts.  Perform technology development and road-mapping activities to maintain Aerojet Rocketdyne’s position as a worldwide industrial leader in propulsion.

10% – Provide mentorship and coaching to project engineers across organization.  Maintain a visible, respected presence in the propulsion technical community and serve as an internal and external technical expert on propulsion systems and sub-systems.

5% – Continuously stress health and safety, diversity, and environmental goals and maintain metrics to provide a safe, respectful, and ethical environment for all employees at all times.

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace or related engineering discipline and at least 9 years of progressive experience in (Space Systems) propulsion systems including Hall, Arcjet, Ion, or other EP thrusters systems and Chemical thruster systems (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).  Advanced degree and knowledge of spacecraft systems, electronics and their development are highly desired.  A general knowledge of related disciplines such as material science, component selection, thermal and structural analysis, spacecraft integration, and mission planning is desirable.

US Citizenship required. Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level (U.S. Citizenship required).  Must also be able to satisfy federal government requirements for access to government information, and having dual citizenship may preclude you from being able to meet this requirement.

Additional Requirements and Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a chief engineer or project engineer on a significant propulsion program.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.  Must be capable of leading a diverse team and collaborating in a cross-functional organization.  Ability to adapt in a dynamically changing environment is also a necessary skill for this position.
• Must have a demonstrated ability to organize and complete projects, objectives, and tasks.
• Demonstrated positive interaction with both internal and external customers and the ability to engender respect from peers, customers and senior staff.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills, as well as high quality written and oral communication skills.  This position requires proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated communication skills with new hires, senior staff, chief engineers, manufacturing personnel, quality personnel and executives.
• Must be willing and available to travel to multiple Aerojet Rocketdyne sites (~10%). 
• Successful candidates will have direct experience in manufacturing, production and/or production support systems.
• M.S. degree preferred.

Work Environment/Physical Requirements:

Employees in these positions must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer; stamina to sit or stand and maintain attention to detail despite interruptions; may occasionally lift/carry/push/pull up to 25 pounds; may require occasional walking, climbing, stooping, crouching, and/or bending; and vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.  May require the ability to travel by air or auto.  May require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coat.  These positions may be expected to work varying shifts and hours to ensure successful operation of activities in the organization.