Systems Engineer II - Project Engineer
The Project Engineer II at Confidential Client provides entry-level engineering support and technical coordination for defense and aerospace projects, working under close supervision. This role involves supporting technical planning, schedule tracking, subcontract coordination, and documentation preparation to ensure successful project execution within a mission-critical environment. The position requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to identify technical risks while contributing to integrated product teams.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
Confidential Client is seeking a Project Engineer II to support defense and aerospace systems engineering efforts. In this role you will:
- Support technical planning and execution of assigned work packages on defense and aerospace projects
- Participate in Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings, capture action items, minutes, and follow-ups
- Assist with maintaining integrated master schedules and milestone tracking in coordination with engineering and program management
- Track subcontract technical execution, deliverables, coordination items, and interfaces
- Help prepare statement of work (SOW) inputs for internal and subcontracted efforts
- Draft and maintain engineering documentation (test plans, ECNs, interface documents) for senior engineer review
- Track program deliverables, CDRLs, and contract requirements per established procedures
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in systems engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related STEM field with ~2 years of project engineering experience — OR
- Master’s degree in a related STEM/project engineering field with ~1 year of experience — OR
- 6 years of project engineering experience in lieu of a degree — OR
- High school diploma or equivalent with relevant experience
- Basic understanding of the engineering project lifecycle (requirements through verification and delivery)
- Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM) and Integrated Master Plans/Schedules (IMP/IMS) concepts (training provided)
- Exposure to aerospace or defense programs (DoD or MDA experience a plus)
- Clear written and verbal communication skills for multidisciplinary team interaction
- Ability to identify and escalate technical risks to senior team members
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and willing to learn under direction
Preferred Qualifications
- Internship or co-op experience in aerospace/defense, or exposure to solid rocket motors/propulsion systems
- Familiarity with project planning tools (Microsoft Project, Primavera, or equivalent)
Travel, Clearance & Legal Requirements
- Travel up to 5–10%, including occasional overnights for customer reviews and test events
- U.S. citizenship required due to federal contract eligibility
- Must have, or be able to obtain and maintain, an active DoD Secret clearance
- Must comply with ITAR regulations
Compensation & Benefits
- Nevada (Reno) base salary range: $82,460 - $121,600 per year (base pay only; actual placement depends on experience, skills, and location)
- California pay range (where applicable): $86,800 - $128,000 per year
- Incentive plan eligible
- Flexible Time Off (FTO)
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage (company-paid portions vary)
- 401(k) with company match up to 4%
- Company wellness programs and voluntary benefits
- Flexible gym membership options and other employee support resources
- Opportunity to work on mission-critical defense and space systems with a talented engineering team
Keywords & Search Terms (for candidates)
- Systems Engineer II - Project Engineer Reno, NV
- Project engineer Reno NV
- Systems engineering aerospace
- Earned Value Management (EVM)
- IMP/IMS scheduling
- DoD / Secret clearance eligible
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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