Software engineer Jobs in Long Beach, CA

Experienced Project Engineer Digital Engineering Services (C-17)

This role offers an opportunity for an experienced Project Engineer to lead complex digital engineering services for the C-17 program. You will own the technical, schedule, and financial baselines for assigned projects and support the full product lifecycle, from business capture and baseline establishment through development, integration, field support, and customer engagement. You will coordinate hardware and software development tasks, data analytics services, and cross-functional activities across internal teams and with both U.S. and international Air Force customers. Success in this role requires strong project management capabilities, deep understanding of aerospace and defense environments, and a commitment to delivering high-quality solutions on time and within budget while ensuring customer satisfaction throughout the project life cycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the technical, schedule, and financial baselines for C-17 Digital Engineering Services projects.
• Support the entire product lifecycle, including business capture and award, baseline establishment, requirements development, and transition into execution.
• Coordinate hardware and software development tasks and data analytics services across internal engineering, program, and support teams.
• Collaborate closely with U.S. and international Air Force customers to understand requirements, clarify expectations, and ensure alignment throughout the project.
• Drive complex project management activities that maintain and accelerate schedules while minimizing impacts to other engineering efforts.
• Oversee subsystem design efforts, including requirement allocation and technical supplier management, to ensure alignment with overall system architecture.
• Lead proposal development activities, including bid preparation, cost and schedule estimates, and risk assessments for new and follow-on work.
• Manage projects through all phases, including proposals, development, qualification, and ongoing customer support.
• Monitor technical performance, quality, cost, and on-time delivery of products and services, and implement corrective actions when needed.
• Provide critical analysis and problem-solving across system, hardware, and software architectures to resolve technical issues and mitigate risks.
• Coordinate with suppliers to define technical requirements, track performance, and ensure delivery of compliant solutions.
• Serve as a focal point for internal and external stakeholders, providing clear communication on project status, risks, and milestones.
• Support fielded systems and digital engineering services by responding to customer issues, coordinating solutions, and ensuring timely resolution.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of project management and engineering practices within the digital engineering services team.
• Mentor and guide team members, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and adherence to best practices in project execution.

Essential Skills

• At least 9 years of experience in project management for United States Government (USG), aerospace, and/or Department of Defense (DoD) projects.
• Proven history of managing projects through all phases, including proposals, development, qualification, and customer support.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage technical scope, schedule, and budget simultaneously.
• Demonstrated experience working in aerospace, defense, or aviation environments.
• Knowledge and experience in subsystem design, including requirement allocation and technical supplier management.
• Ability to perform critical analysis and problem solving across system, hardware, and software architectures.
• Experience with proposal management, including bid development, cost and schedule estimation, and risk identification.
• Experience in requirement allocation and traceability from system-level needs down to subsystems and components.
• Experience managing supplier relationships, including defining technical requirements and overseeing supplier performance.
• Experience in customer support for complex technical systems, including coordination with external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent tasks.
• Effective communication skills for interacting with internal teams, suppliers, and domestic and international customers.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working on military aircraft programs.
• Familiarity with the C-17 program and experience working within a matrixed reporting organization supporting C-17 activities.
• Familiarity with PMBOK concepts and their practical application in project planning and execution.
• Strong leadership abilities with a track record of building, guiding, and motivating cross-functional teams.
• Experience mentoring less experienced engineers or project team members.
• Ability to operate effectively in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment typical of aerospace and defense programs.

Work Environment

The role is based in a professional aerospace and defense engineering environment focused on digital engineering services for the C-17 program. You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering, program management, supplier, and customer teams in a matrixed organizational structure. The work involves coordinating hardware and software development tasks and data analytics services, and engaging frequently with U.S. and international Air Force customers. The environment emphasizes rigorous project management discipline, technical excellence, and adherence to aerospace and defense standards. Work is typically performed in an office and lab setting with standard business hours, with flexibility required to meet critical program milestones and support activities across different time zones.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Long Beach, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $95.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Long Beach, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 20, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

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