Project Engineer

About the role

Natilus is seeking a Project Engineer to join our engineering team in San Diego, CA. In this role, you will support the planning, coordination, and execution of engineering activities across multiple technical disciplines as we advance the development of our blended-wing-body aircraft.

You will work closely with engineering leadership and cross-functional teams to coordinate technical deliverables, manage project schedules, track engineering milestones, and identify risks that may impact development objectives. The ideal candidate combines a strong technical engineering background with excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

This role requires someone who can understand complex engineering challenges, connect the work across teams, and help drive projects from concept through integration and testing.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate engineering projects across aircraft development including: structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, mechanical systems and integration.
• Manage technical deliverables and timelines with suppliers, manufacturing teams, and external partners.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, milestones, engineering requirements, and documentation.
• Collaborate with engineering leadership to establish priorities, allocate resources, and track progress toward program objectives.
• Identify project dependencies, technical challenges, and schedule risks, proactively driving solutions.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration, design reviews, technical meetings, and project updates.
• Support engineering change management, configuration control, and technical documentation.
• Coordinate and support aircraft integration, ground testing, and flight-test preparation activities.
• Improve engineering workflows and processes to support efficient project execution.
• Take ownership of assigned engineering workstreams, ensuring milestones and deliverables are completed.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of aerospace engineering experience in a technical project engineer or project management role.
• Experience supporting aircraft development, integration, testing, or certification.
• Strong understanding of engineering processes, technical requirements, and project execution.
• Experience coordinating suppliers, manufacturing teams, and external engineering partners.
• Ability to develop and manage engineering schedules, milestones, and technical deliverables.
• Strong technical understanding with the ability to collaborate across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and drive results independently.
• Experience in an early-stage aerospace company or prototype development environment strongly preferred.

Core Behaviors

• Build trust through ownership, transparency, and follow-through
• Communicates clearly, directly, and respectfully across teams
• Lead by example and model expected behaviors
• Ability to give and receive direct, constructive feedback
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with evolving priorities

Travel Requirements

Occasional travel and on-site work at the local hangar may be required

Compensation

The expected salary range for this position is $110,000 to $165,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on qualifications, relevant experience, skills, and business needs.

Benefits & Perks

• Health Care Plan (Medica, Dental, Vision)
• Retirement Plan - 401k
• Unlimited PTO
• Onsite Gym Access