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Karman Space & Defense
Engineering Manager
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What they do
An Aerospace Engineering Manager oversees engineering and technical design of aerospace engineering projects, such as airplane or rocket components. Manages communication and coordination among different types of engineers working on a project. Supervises project schedule, budget, and communications with stakeholders.
$185,307 / year median in Washington
+9% projected growth
Job Description
Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.
This role supports our Defense Systems business, bringing together Hypersonics, Strategic Missile Defense, Tactical Missiles, and Integrated Defense Systems. Modern defense missions demand more than piecemeal parts or patchwork products; they require hardware that seamlessly integrates disparate technologies into a unified system. Backed by decades of flight-proven performance, our teams deliver tailored mission-ready solutions across air, land, and sea, including: launch and deployment systems, propulsion, payload protection, integration and deployment.
In this role, you will lead the operational and people-management foundation of a functional engineering group. You will oversee resource planning, consolidate labor demand across programs, coordinate staff assignments, and support programs in defining clear, actionable engineering work. You will also partner closely with technical experts to ensure engineering standards, qualifications, and training are effectively delivered, helping the team build capability while keeping program execution on track.
ScheduleThis role follows a 9/80 schedule, with 9-hour shifts Monday through Thursday, an 8-hour shift every other Friday, and the alternating Friday off.
ResponsibilitiesLeads consolidation of labor demand across programs to create a unified view of committed, requested, and open needs.
Coordinates functional resource allocation, balancing workload, program priorities, and individual career development goals.
Acts as traffic control for resource requests by sequencing work, identifying conflicts, and preventing reactive scheduling issues.
Drives proactive hiring by identifying staffing gaps using consolidated demand data.
Partners with technical experts to schedule, track, and maintain engineering standards and training for the functional group.
Manages qualification tracking for new hires and transfers, ensuring progression through the qualification ladder.
Supports programs by breaking down engineering requests into scoped, staffable work packages.
Works with program leads to define realistic schedule and effort expectations before commitments are made.
Identifies required skill sets for tasks and routes ambiguous technical requests to the appropriate expert.
Provides direct people management, including goal-setting, coaching, performance reviews, onboarding support, and routine administrative oversight.
Required QualificationsBachelor of Science (B.S.) in Engineering.5 or more years of engineering leadership experience, including at least 2 years in aerospace or engineering.
Demonstrated experience in resource planning, scheduling, and managing technical staff.
Ability to manage data-driven scheduling across multiple concurrent programs.
Experience supporting staff career growth while balancing program needs.
Ability to partner with technical experts to route design sign-off, waivers, and contested technical decisions appropriately.
Experience helping programs translate ambiguous engineering requests into scoped work packages.
Preferred QualificationsDiscipline-specific technical depth that supports partnership with technical experts.
This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.
BenefitsMedical, dental, and vision insurance401(k) with company matchPaid time offHealth Savings Account (HSA) with company contributionFlexible Spending Accounts (FSA)Companypaid life and AD&D insuranceShort and longterm disability coverageTuition reimbursementKarman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
This role supports our Defense Systems business, bringing together Hypersonics, Strategic Missile Defense, Tactical Missiles, and Integrated Defense Systems. Modern defense missions demand more than piecemeal parts or patchwork products; they require hardware that seamlessly integrates disparate technologies into a unified system. Backed by decades of flight-proven performance, our teams deliver tailored mission-ready solutions across air, land, and sea, including: launch and deployment systems, propulsion, payload protection, integration and deployment.
In this role, you will lead the operational and people-management foundation of a functional engineering group. You will oversee resource planning, consolidate labor demand across programs, coordinate staff assignments, and support programs in defining clear, actionable engineering work. You will also partner closely with technical experts to ensure engineering standards, qualifications, and training are effectively delivered, helping the team build capability while keeping program execution on track.
ScheduleThis role follows a 9/80 schedule, with 9-hour shifts Monday through Thursday, an 8-hour shift every other Friday, and the alternating Friday off.
ResponsibilitiesLeads consolidation of labor demand across programs to create a unified view of committed, requested, and open needs.
Coordinates functional resource allocation, balancing workload, program priorities, and individual career development goals.
Acts as traffic control for resource requests by sequencing work, identifying conflicts, and preventing reactive scheduling issues.
Drives proactive hiring by identifying staffing gaps using consolidated demand data.
Partners with technical experts to schedule, track, and maintain engineering standards and training for the functional group.
Manages qualification tracking for new hires and transfers, ensuring progression through the qualification ladder.
Supports programs by breaking down engineering requests into scoped, staffable work packages.
Works with program leads to define realistic schedule and effort expectations before commitments are made.
Identifies required skill sets for tasks and routes ambiguous technical requests to the appropriate expert.
Provides direct people management, including goal-setting, coaching, performance reviews, onboarding support, and routine administrative oversight.
Required QualificationsBachelor of Science (B.S.) in Engineering.5 or more years of engineering leadership experience, including at least 2 years in aerospace or engineering.
Demonstrated experience in resource planning, scheduling, and managing technical staff.
Ability to manage data-driven scheduling across multiple concurrent programs.
Experience supporting staff career growth while balancing program needs.
Ability to partner with technical experts to route design sign-off, waivers, and contested technical decisions appropriately.
Experience helping programs translate ambiguous engineering requests into scoped work packages.
Preferred QualificationsDiscipline-specific technical depth that supports partnership with technical experts.
This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.
BenefitsMedical, dental, and vision insurance401(k) with company matchPaid time offHealth Savings Account (HSA) with company contributionFlexible Spending Accounts (FSA)Companypaid life and AD&D insuranceShort and longterm disability coverageTuition reimbursementKarman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.