Project Lead Engineer - Integrated Product Team Lead

Project Lead Engineer / Integrated Product Team Lead

Published 09.18.2026

Company : Safran Electronics & Defense Job field : Project management Location : Rockford , Illinois , United States Contract type : Permanent Contract duration : Full-time Required degree : Bachelors Degree Required experience : More than 5 years Professional status : Professional, Engineer & Manager Salary range : $100,000 - $130,000 depending on level of experience ITAR : ITAR Controlled position

# 2026-188135

Apply Apply with one click Any questions ?

Published 09.18.2026

Job Description

The Project Lead Engineer independently leads and coordinates the execution of highly technical Aerospace & Defense engineering projects, including Flight Control and Utility Actuation systems. This role drives disciplined project execution through structured planning, engineering processes, risk management, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration. The Project Lead Engineer is expected to lead the project execution, coordinate multi-disciplined engineers and Integrated Product Teams (IPT) to resolve technical and project issues, maintain alignment to requirements, and deliver quality solutions within established cost and schedule objectives.

Roles and Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Engineering Execution

• Lead and coordinate technical teams to ensure requirements and deliverables are achieved.
• Lead engineers and cross-functional teams in defining problems and developing solutions.
• Coordinate engineering reviews, technical discussions, and cross-functional activities.
• Support root-cause and field investigations with IPTs and customers to drive corrective actions.
• Analyze engineering and project data to support data-driven technical decisions.
• Prepare and present technical content, project status, risks, and recommendations to engineering and business leadership.

Process & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure adherence to established engineering standard work, processes, and development lifecycle activities throughout project execution.
• Ensure development activities, reviews, documentation, and approvals are completed in accordance with defined processes.
• Promote consistent use of standard work and drive accountability for process execution.
• Apply structured problem-solving and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Support compliance with AS9100 and AS9145 requirements.
• Identify opportunities to standardize processes, improve communication, and strengthen execution.

Project Planning, Schedule & Resources

• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, resource plans, and performance metrics.
• Track progress, staffing, and schedule; identify variances and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate with engineering leadership to forecast resource requirements.
• Maintain processes for tracking tasks, deliverables, decisions, risks, issues, and action items.
• Maintain and present project plans and progress reports to ensure objectives are achieved.

Budget, Cost & Program Performance

• Develop and maintain project budgets and monitor engineering spending against objectives.
• Own cost performance and variances while maintaining focus on technical execution.
• Cost Account Management and Earned Value Management (EVM) for military programs.
• Analyze project data and recommend efficiency and optimize resource utilization.

Job Requirements

Risk & Issue Management

• Identify risks, assess impacts, develop mitigations, and communicate status to leadership.
• Develop alternative approaches and recommendations to address technical and project challenges while maintaining project and technical objectives.

Customer Communication

• Establish and maintain customer communication including technical reviews, project/program reviews, investigations, and status of product, project, or problems.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support other duties and functions as required by business needs.
• Travel up to 10%.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Bachelor of science degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with two (2) years of engineering experience - or - an advanced degree in engineering or a related technical discipline - or- five (5) years of relevant project engineering experience.
• Ability to effectively communicate in English with customers, coworkers, and supervisors.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Aerospace & Defense industry experience.
• Experience leading or coordinating technical teams and engineering activities.
• Experience working within engineering, quality, or project management processes.
• Experience supporting projects with requirements, budgets, schedules, and deliverables.
• Experience with root-cause analysis, risk management, and continuous improvement.
• Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM).
• Experience with Microsoft Office, SAP, Microsoft Project or other project management tools.

Company Information

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazines ""Worlds Best Companies 2025"" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with more than 19,000 employees who bring together expertise and team spirit to design high-technology solutions for the aerospace, defense and space sectors. By combining human and technological intelligence, the company develops products and services for both civil and military customers, operating on land, at sea, in the air and in space.

Locate your future workplace

4747 Harrison Ave, M/S 298-6 61108

Rockford

Illinois United States

Copy Address

100,000

employees worldwide

27

Number of countries where Safran is located

35

business area families