Project Manager I in Colorado Springs, Colorado at OPTICAL ENGINES INC

We are seeking a Project Manager to support the planning, execution, and delivery of multiple, R&D-type programs primarily in Directed Energy and NewSpace. The Project Manager will support project scope, schedule, and performance while ensuring compliance with policies, contractual requirements, and organizational standards. This role requires strong organizational and leadership skills to support the Program Manager and Engineering Team to manage project plans, schedules, and deliveries. The Project Manager must be an expert at working with Office-based tools (Excel, MS Project, PowerPoint, Word) to support bill of materials management, and schedule management and controls. The ideal candidate has a technical background, project management experience, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Support Program Manager and Engineering Team
• Assist with program planning, budgeting, scheduling, and performance tracking
• Help manage day-to-day operations and facility needs to complete tasks on schedule
• Develop necessary documentation to ensure efficient execution of multiple projects in parallel (schedules, task lists)
• Provide regular written and verbal reports to peers and management.
• Maintain appropriate business and operations systems in support of program execution needs.
• Work with engineering, operations, accounting, and supply chain to equip team with needed resources
• Support the hiring process and onboarding/offboarding of employees
• Manage R&D inventories of parts, equipment, and assets

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years working in a technical environment
• 3+ years of experience managing Government/Military, Directed Energy, Aerospace, or Space/NewSpace programs
• Bachelor's degree in project management, business, or technical field
• Demonstrated experience working with customers and suppliers
• Proven ability to support complex programs with cross-functional teams
• Strong communication, negotiation, and leadership skills
• Proficiency with program management tools (MS Project, Jira, ClickUp, Excel, etc.).
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment and maintain composure and good working relationships under pressure.
• Strong problem-solving ability and ability to absorb information from multiple sources to reach a solution.
• Maintain documentation in support of customer needs and design reviews (i.e. PDR, CDR, ICD, etc.)
• Strong technical presentation and writing skills
• Ability to work with and learn new ERP and programmatic software programs

Desired Skills

• Bachelor's or Advanced degree in technical field (Engineering, Physics, or related).
• Experience with design challenges of High Energy Laser systems and Space applications
• Proven record interfacing with Government, Space, and Aerospace customers
• Growing knowledge of Directed Energy and NewSpace directives

Benefits

• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
• 9 paid Holidays per year
• Health, Vision and Dental Care paid 100% by employer
• 401k with company matching
• Tuition Assistance for Continuing Education

About OEI

Optical Engines is an engineering firm specializing in photonic devices for the commercial, industrial, space, and defense sectors, located right in Old Colorado City in Colorado Springs, CO, just a few minutes from Garden of the Gods and Red Rock Canyon Open Space. In 2005, Optical Engines was founded with a vision to become the destination for ambitious engineers to see how far they could push fiber and photonic technologies. Since then, we have continued to grow and work tirelessly to demonstrate what we can do for our customers. We are a solution-focused company in an industry with no limit on the potential or impact. That provides us with the unique opportunity to both set the standards and then surpass them. Most of all, it allows us to connect with people who are as passionate as we are.