Engineering Project Manager
We are a fast-paced business with ambitious growth plans; so if you are dedicated, enthusiastic and always seeking ways to improve, you'll enjoy a career with us!
Engineering Project Manager
Company: Ontic
Department: Engineering
Location: [Location]
Reports To: Engineering Director
Position Summary
Ontic is a leading global aerospace OEM specializing in sustaining legacy aerospace products and manufacturing flight-critical electronic, electromechanical, and mechanical assemblies for commercial, defense, and rotorcraft platforms. We are seeking an experienced Engineering Project Manager to lead cross-functional engineering projects from initiation through production implementation while ensuring compliance with aerospace quality, regulatory, cost, and schedule requirements.
The Engineering Project Manager serves as the primary leader responsible for coordinating engineering activities, managing technical risks, and ensuring successful execution of projects involving new product introduction (NPI), product transfers, design changes, obsolescence management, qualification testing, and production support.
Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership
Lead cross-functional engineering projects involving electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, operations, and program management.
Develop and maintain integrated project plans, schedules, budgets, resource plans, and risk registers.
Ensure projects meet technical, cost, schedule, and quality objectives.
Facilitate project reviews, gate reviews, and executive status reporting.
Drive accountability across functional teams to achieve project milestones.
Engineering Execution
Coordinate engineering activities for:
Flight-critical electronic assemblies
Mechanical and electromechanical assemblies
Design modifications
Product redesigns due to component obsolescence
Qualification and verification testing
Product transfers between manufacturing sites
Manufacturing readiness activities
Monitor engineering deliverables including drawings, BOMs, specifications, analysis, and test documentation.
Ensure configuration management and document control processes are followed.
Technical Risk Management
Identify technical, manufacturing, supplier, and schedule risks.
Develop mitigation plans and monitor risk reduction activities.
Escalate critical issues to leadership with recommended corrective actions.
Coordinate root cause investigations and corrective actions for engineering-related issues.
Customer & Stakeholder Management
Serve as the primary engineering interface with internal stakeholders and external customers.
Present technical progress, schedules, and project health to leadership and customers.
Coordinate customer technical reviews, design reviews, and qualification activities.
Support proposal development and project planning for new business opportunities.
Compliance & Quality
Ensure engineering activities comply with:
AS9100 Quality Management System
FAA regulations where applicable
Military specifications
Customer contractual requirements
Configuration management requirements
Engineering change processes
Support Design Reviews, Failure Review Boards, MRBs, and Corrective Action Boards as required.
Continuous Improvement
Drive improvements in engineering project execution, scheduling, and resource utilization.
Develop standardized project management tools, metrics, and reporting.
Apply Lean and Continuous Improvement methodologies to engineering processes.
Capture lessons learned and implement best practices.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related discipline)
7+ years of engineering or technical project management experience in aerospace, defense, or highly regulated manufacturing
Experience leading cross-functional engineering development projects
Knowledge of aerospace product development lifecycle
Experience with engineering change management
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes for electronic and mechanical assemblies
Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and ERP/MRP systems
Preferred Qualifications
PMP (Project Management Professional) certification
Master's degree in Engineering or Engineering Management
Experience with legacy aerospace products
Experience supporting FAA, DoD, or military aerospace programs
Familiarity with DO-160 environmental qualification testing
Experience with component obsolescence management
Knowledge of IPC standards for electronics manufacturing
Familiarity with configuration management tools (PLM systems such as Windchill, Teamcenter, Arena, etc.)
Technical Knowledge
Preferred experience in one or more of the following:
Flight-critical electronics
Electromechanical assemblies
Precision mechanical assemblies
PCB assemblies
Cable and wire harnesses
Hydraulic or pneumatic components
Qualification and environmental testing
Manufacturing process validation
Design verification and validation
DFMEA/PFMEA
Root Cause Analysis (8D, Fishbone, 5 Why)
AS9102 First Article Inspection
PPAP/APQP principles (where applicable)
Key Competencies
Engineering project leadership
Cross-functional collaboration
Technical decision-making
Risk management
Schedule development and control
Customer communication
Conflict resolution
Strategic planning
Budget management
Continuous improvement mindset
Systems thinking
Strong organizational skills
Executive-level presentation skills
Success Metrics
The Engineering Project Manager will be evaluated on:
On-time project delivery
Budget adherence
Engineering milestone completion
Customer satisfaction
Risk mitigation effectiveness
Product qualification success
Engineering change cycle time
Manufacturing readiness
Quality performance
Team collaboration and stakeholder engagement
Our Benefits:
Comprehensive medical insurance
Competitive PTO, holiday pay, and sick leave
Company 401K plan with up to 4% matched contribution
Annual bonus program (varies by level and discretionary based on company and individual performance)
Flexible working arrangements
Paid volunteering opportunities
Access to mental health champions across our sites
Commitment to development
Employee referral program
#LI-Onsite
EOE/Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Disability/Veteran
Compensation Pay Range
$140K - $180K
Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran
Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
This position must meet export control compliance requirements. To meet export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person ” as defined by 22. C.F.R. §120.15 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee.