Opportunity Snapshot

For the project engineer extraordinaire with hands-on expertise in earned value management and the leadership track record to expertly navigate staff and resources through the entire Engineering life cycle, consider this highly visible opportunity at one of the defense and aerospace industry's most respected and innovative suppliers!

As Senior Project Engineer, you will be exclusively working on a multi-year, multi-million dollar project involving an unmanned air vehicle that we anticipate will become a transformational force in our company's continued growth. The project kick off is six short weeks away and you will be spearheading all aspects of the project ranging from scope definition and identification of key resources to problem identification, risk management and scheduling and budgeting.

To be a good fit for this opportunity, you will ideally have a Systems Engineering background along with a track record of success in managing projects of $10M or more. Of course, as in any large project involving multiple stakeholders, you will also have the interpersonal finesse to collaborate with customers, articulate the strategic project vision and influence and energize the team to embrace this vision and relentlessly drive it to completion.

Our embedded computing solutions provide the most innovative and complete product integration services for high density data processing requirements while performing under the most rugged operating conditions. CWCEC's ISO-certified Santa Clarita facility develops embedded systems solutions for a wide variety of control applications in aerospace, defense and commercial markets. You'll find CWCEC solutions on planes, UAV's, helicopters, tanks, nuclear vessels, Humvees, and in other demanding applications.

What Else You'll Bring to the Table

• BSEE, BSME, BSCS or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 8-12 years of Systems Engineering & Project Management experience within Defense or commercial arenas; MUST HAVE hands-on expertise in earned value management.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills to motivate the team.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to manage large amounts of data.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence and facilitate cross-functional project teams.
• Computer proficiency in a Microsoft Office environment with advanced knowledge of MS Project.

Preferred, but not required:

• Six Sigma training from CMMI and/or Green Belt/Black Belt certification.
• Familiarity with DOORS or similar requirements management software.
• Experience with high speed digital systems design and/or familiarity with TEMPEST and/or RED/BLACK design separation requirements.
• Security background from a design perspective.

What's in It for You

• Ground floor opportunity to make a discernible impact -- this is by far our most high profile in-house project and you will be walking into a very early stage (we've just completed the proposal and won the contract) which means you'll be able to "make your mark" in short order as you ensure successful execution of project milestones and deliverables.
• Broad visibility -- you will interact with many of our organization's key players providing you with unique insight into our business and plenty of recognition for your achievements.
• Driver's seat within cutting-edge tech environment -- this role will offer you a plethora of experiences that can greatly strengthen your technical competencies as a project engineering professional.
• Career growth -- we place a strong emphasis on employee development and succession planning; in fact this is a high potential opportunity and we'll likely be grooming you for bigger and better opportunities, such as Program Manager, as we continue to grow.
• The best of both worlds -- you will enjoy the small-company entrepreneurial energy of Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing (CWCEC) as well as the stability and global resources of our parent company, $1.8 billion Curtiss-Wright Corporation. We are a tight-knit team focused on teamwork, innovation, and results rather than bureaucratic processes.
• Excellent compensation -- in addition to a competitive salary, we offer a robust benefits package including health care, a stock purchase plan, a 401(k) plan, a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off, and more.

More About Your Role

If you're a good fit for this position, you already know most of what the job entails. However, to be sure we're providing a complete picture, here are some details.

At our Santa Clarita facility, you will report directly to the Director of Project Engineering and provide technical leadership to a team of 20-25 engineers.

You'll be walking into the requirements definition stage of this multi-phase project that has a development cycle of 2-3 years and we'll expect you to hit the ground running and create the momentum to help us meet our project targets.

At a high level, you will coordinate between customers and design engineering to ensure the program is on track and manage the timely completion of engineering milestones within specified project parameters. You will also lead design reviews and serve as a role model for your team as you instill confidence in your abilities and drive project engineering excellence.

Keys to Success

This role requires a combination of systems engineering expertise to help us capitalize on cutting edge technologies along with the hands-on leadership prowess to energize the team and keep the project on track. Also pivotal to your success are top notch communication and interpersonal skills to build relations with customers, vendors and suppliers, managing people with diverse skill sets and influencing those over whom you have no direct authority. Other facets of success are to:

• Strike an appropriate balance between high-level strategic thinking and hands-on execution of the implementation details.
• Embrace our commitment to true teamwork. All of our projects are built around teams that foster an open and collaborative environment for exchange of ideas.
• Leverage your strong problem identification and risk management skills, be persistent in following through on problems, but also know when to escalate the situation and ask for help.
• Bring a high-energy approach, sense of urgency, and solid focus to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.

If this sounds like the right mix of challenge and opportunity for you, and you meet the minimum qualifications, we want to hear from you!

Who We Are

Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing (CWCEC) is the largest defense and aerospace COTS supplier in the world, serving more than 2000 customers in 26 countries. Our product expertise includes state-of-the-art radar and graphics solutions, high-speed communication, custom software design and hardware engineering, and manufacturing services. From board level products to fully integrated subsystems, we provide advanced technologies to the aerospace, defense and commercial markets. In fiscal year 2008 we invested $55 million in technology development.

The spirit of innovation drove our company's founders, Glenn Curtiss and Wilbur & Orville Wright, to achieve feats of scientific development and advancement once thought impossible. This same spirit drives us to be the best at what we do, whether it's taking the lead in defining and developing board-level technologies, creatively integrating embedded hardware and software in response to specific customer requirements, or delivering on the promise of COTS through the deployment of the latest technologies accompanied by longevity and support programs to fit the special requirements of the defense and aerospace marketplace.

CWCEC is part of Curtiss-Wright Controls, whose multiple business units represent the best in their fields and work as one fully integrated company to offer value-added comprehensive subsystem solutions for the most challenging motion control requirements. Curtiss-Wright Controls is a division of Curtiss-Wright Corporation, a diversified global provider of highly engineered products and services in the areas of motion control, flow control, and metal treatment.