Principal Project Engineer

About the role

Voyager is an innovative space, defense, and national security technology company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, mission-critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets to lead in the race for technological and operational superiority from ground to space.

Forge the Future: Join Voyager Technologies

The future belongs to those who build it. At Voyager Technologies, we're building technologies that protect lives, expand frontiers and prepare us for what's next. And we're doing that with people who are wired to solve, build, adapt and lead. These roles are not for the faint of heart.

You'll help lay the foundation for humanity's future. Join a culture where innovation thrives, curiosity is rewarded, and impact is real. We're a company of doers, thinkers and builders, united by purpose and grounded in reality.

If you want to put your skills to work where the stakes are real and the mission is bigger than any one person, forge the future with Voyager.

The Role

The Principal Project Engineer for Voyager's Strategic Systems line of business leads end-to-end execution of solid rocket motor programs while beginning to shape technical and programmatic direction across the broader SRM portfolio. This role bridges deep individual program ownership with emerging cross-program influence - the natural next step for a Senior PE who has consistently delivered and is ready to expand their scope.

The Principal is the senior technical authority on assigned programs and a go-to resource for the team on the hardest engineering and execution challenges, with increasing responsibility for mentoring, standards, and portfolio-level visibility.

This position reports to the Program Manager, Solid Rocket Motors, and is part of Voyager's Strategic Systems line of business based in Penrose/Pueblo, Colorado. This role is on-site in Penrose/Pueblo, Colorado.

In this role, the essential functions are

• Own end-to-end technical and programmatic execution on one or more solid rocket motor programs - serving as the senior decision-maker on cost, schedule, and technical performance from proposal through qualification and into production.
• Serve as the primary customer and stakeholder interface on assigned programs, driving alignment on requirements, managing expectations, and representing Voyager's technical capabilities with credibility and authority.
• Drive resolution of technically complex or ambiguous engineering and program execution challenges, applying deep SRM domain expertise to issues that exceed the scope of senior engineers and setting the standard for how the team approaches hard problems.
• Begin building cross-program influence by contributing to portfolio-level technical visibility, identifying shared risks or dependencies across programs, and mentoring junior Project Engineers in both technical and programmatic disciplines.

Additional information

If your experience aligns with our basic qualifications and you are inspired by our mission, we'd like to connect. If you don't see the right role right now, Join Our Talent Community and stay connected as we continue to build what's next.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Aerospace, or closely related engineering or science field with 10 years of combined technical engineering and project engineering or project management experience OR 14 years of combined experience in lieu of a degree. We value candidates who bring both deep technical expertise and a proven record of program execution; the balance across these areas will vary by candidate.
• Deep experience with solid rocket motor or energetics design, development, and manufacturing - including a track record of leading programs through qualification and into production with full ownership of technical and programmatic outcomes.
• Proven ability to manage complex, fast-moving defense programs with accountability for cost, schedule, and technical scope - including demonstrated success serving as the primary customer and stakeholder interface.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD Security Clearance (U.S. citizenship required).

Preferred Qualifications

• Background leading multiple concurrent SRM or energetics programs or demonstrated readiness to expand from single-program to portfolio-level scope.
• Strong technical expertise in hardware design, manufacturing, or systems engineering within defense, space, or aerospace programs, with early experience setting technical standards or mentoring engineers.

Travel, Physical, and Government Mandated Requirements

• Travel up to 25%, including the possibility of overnights, to customer sites, industry conferences, and program reviews.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level (requires U.S. Citizenship).
• Candidates must meet all eligibility requirements to obtain and maintain applicable state and federal explosives licenses, including minimum age requirements (21 and over), a drug-free workplace in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. §§ 8101-8106), Executive Order 12564 (Drug-Free Federal Workplace), applicable Department of Defense directives including DoD Instruction 1010.09 and DFARS and successful completion of any legally required background investigations.
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Pay and benefits

The good faith base salary range for this role is $140,000 -$170,000 at the time of this posting. Where you fall within the range depends on your experience, skills, and location. This range reflects base salary only and does not include benefits or bonus/incentive. This range may be adjusted in the future.

Voyager offers a highly competitive total compensation package designed to support the well-being, growth, and success of our employees. Employees benefit from a flexible and comprehensive rewards program that supports both professional and personal well-being.

• Flexible Time Off (FTO), empowering employees to take the time they need to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company and many benefits paid at 100% for employees
• Flexible, affordable gym memberships with 12,700+ options nationwide, including 24 Hour Fitness, EoS Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Blink Fitness, Chuze Fitness, and more! No long-term contracts and FREE on-demand workout videos before you enroll
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 50% company match on contributions up to 8%, supporting long-term financial security
• Company wellness programs that support physical and mental well-being
• Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources
• The opportunity to work alongside a highly talented team in an innovative, mission-driven environment

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Parts 120-130) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730-774), applicants for this position must be a U.S. Person: a US Citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3). Applicants must be eligible to obtain any required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.

Colorado pay range $140,000—$170,000 USD