Project Manager

Project Manager
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. is seeking a full-time project manager to work within our project teams. ESAero is a growing aerospace company in the San Luis Obispo area and provides various services which include but are not limited to rapid system development, on-demand niche engineering, hands-on development/testing, and small UAS aerospace system manufacturing.

**This position is fully on-site at Empirical Systems Aerospace in San Luis Obispo, CA

Position Overview:
ESAero utilizes a project team methodology to execute engineering contracts.  Projects are managed by a combination of a Project Manager and a Lead Engineer. The Project Manager handles customer facing project administration and is responsible for driving project performance and results. The Lead Engineer has overall responsibility for all the technical aspects of each project. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Manager’s role will include, but is not limited to:

• Managing customer relationships and expectations, ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Understanding contractual requirements and making sure they are met.
• Developing and managing project schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Identifying risks to budget and schedule and orchestrating risk mitigation plans,
• Reporting project status to external customer(s), the project team, and senior leadership.
• Working with cost accounting to ensure accurate project performance and projections.
• Ensure that project tasking remains within agreed upon scope.
• Develop initial or follow-on quotes, SOWs, and proposals.
• Initiate customer interaction to get contracts modified in the event of any changes to the contracted project scope.

The Project Manager will work hand in hand with the assigned Project Lead Engineer to:

• Coordinate any sub-contracting and/or outsourcing.
• Develop Statements of Work (SOW), project plans, schedules and budgets.
• Ensure all regulatory and customer requirements are considered and executed in the project plan.
• Define deliverables and work with customers to finalize acceptance criteria.
• Define resource requirements and work with other ESAero management to secure the resources required for successful project execution

The Project Manager will coordinate with Quality Assurance and the Chief Engineer to:

• Develop a quality plan for each project and ensure its execution.
• Identify and execute traceability requirements, inspection requirements, test requirements and FAI requirements
• Ensure all quality requirements have been met prior to delivery.

The Project Manager will coordinate with the Manufacturing/Operations leads and the lead Engineer to:

• Identify and secure machine availability, machinist, assembly, material handling, and test personnel to support project deliverables and schedules.
• Identify and secure enough space and the appropriate equipment needed to support the project team.
• Identify any training requirements needed by the project team and/or manufacturing personnel in support of the project team, and ensure the training is conducted timely.

Essential Qualifications:

• Due to Federal Government Contracts US Citizenship or Permanent Resident Card is required
• Demonstrated experience in Project and/or Program Management is required.
• BA/BS degree in engineering, or a technical related field; MA/MS or MBA degree preferred
• Formal project management education or training
• 5-7+ years’ experience in any combination of the following areas: program management, project management, engineering, quality, contracts, operations, procurement and/or supplier management.
• Excellent computer skills are a must, including a variety of software applications; experience with project management software like Microsoft Project tracking/scheduling software
• Expertise working with cross-functional teams.
• Experience in aerospace program management is preferred.
• Experience with financial forecasting
• Responsible for promoting actively an ethics-based business culture in his/her project team(s), ensuring that all associates are aware of, and fully comply with, ESAero’s “Code of Ethics,” and related policies. 

Necessary Skills, Knowledge & Judgement:

• Must possess solid organizational skills and attention to detail
• MRP/ERP experience a plus
• Disciplined execution of processes and systems
• Familiar with ISO9001/AS9100
• Knowledge of ASTM workmanship standards
• Ability to read engineering drawings
• Knowledge of DFAR, TINA, ITAR a plus

Standard Benefits:
• Health: Health/Dental/Vision
• PTO - 80hours accrued and additional 40 hours (Christmas Holiday)
• Retirement: 401k/match
• Casual dress code, Free snacks
• Amazing location to live, work, and play