Product Engineer

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., is a leading defense technology company focused on uncrewed systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, training, and combat systems. Our customers include the U.S. federal government, foreign governments, commercial enterprises, and state and local government agencies. At Kratos, we prioritize affordability as a cornerstone of our technology. We leverage proven, cutting-edge methodologies and technology to minimize costs, streamline schedules, and mitigate risks, ensuring timely delivery of cost-effective solutions to market.GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:The Product Engineer is responsible for leading assigned products and engineering workstreams across their full lifecycle, from requirements definition through design release, production support, and customer delivery. This role serves as the technical point of contact (TPOC) for assigned customers and programs, ensuring technical requirements, design intent, and execution details are clearly understood, controlled, and delivered.Reporting to the Lead Product Engineer, the Product Engineer leads engineering execution at the product and project level, coordinating cross-functional activities across Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Test, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management to ensure products are technically mature, configuration-controlled, and ready to build, test, and deliver.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSProduct & Project LeadershipLead assigned products and engineering projects from concept through production and sustainmentOwn day-to-day engineering execution, priorities, and deliverables for assigned productsPlan, coordinate, and execute engineering activities to meet program schedules and milestonesIdentify technical risks and lead mitigation actions in coordination with the Lead Product EngineerTechnical Point of Contact (TPOC) - Customer InterfaceServe as the primary technical point of contact for assigned customers and programsLead customer technical discussions, reviews, and issue resolutionEnsure customer requirements are clearly understood, documented, and flowed into engineering deliverablesSupport customer design reviews, test reviews, and technical data exchangesRequirements, Design & Configuration ControlOwn requirements flowdown from customer and system requirements to design outputsCoordinate design activities with Design Engineering and System EngineeringEnsure designs are configuration-controlled and released in accordance with AS9100DLead and support engineering change requests (ECRs) and engineering change notices (ECNs)Design-to-Production & Test SupportEnsure engineering deliverables support manufacturability, assembly, and test readinessSupport build readiness reviews, first article inspections (FAI), and test activitiesProvide real-time engineering support to Manufacturing and Test during builds and investigationsEnsure design intent is preserved through production executionRisk Management & Problem ResolutionLead or support root cause analysis for technical and product-related issuesQuantify technical impacts of design changes, deviations, or process variationImplement and verify corrective actions related to product performance and qualityEscalate technical risks appropriately to the Lead Product Engineer and Program ManagementDocumentation, Data & Digital ThreadMaintain accurate and complete engineering documentation (drawings, BOMs, specifications)Ensure traceability between requirements, designs, tests, and delivered productsSupport integration of engineering data into PLM, ERP, and QMS systemsEnsure engineering data is audit-ready and customer-readyCross-Functional CollaborationPartner with Program Management to support schedule, cost, and risk objectivesCollaborate with Supply Chain to support sourcing, material readiness, and supplier technical issuesWork closely with Quality and Test Engineering to ensure product compliance and validationSupport continuous improvement initiatives related to product executionSUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITYNo direct people management responsibilityMay provide technical guidance and task leadership to junior engineers or techniciansLeads by influence, ownership, and technical credibilityKNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIESRequiredStrong understanding of product engineering and lifecycle managementExperience leading engineering projects or workstreamsAbility to serve as a customer-facing technical point of contactAbility to read and interpret engineering drawings and specificationsStrong problem-solving, communication, and organizational skillsAbility to manage confidential and export-controlled information (ITAR)PreferredExperience in aerospace, defense, propulsion, or regulated manufacturing environmentsFamiliarity with AS9100D, configuration management, and design controlExperience supporting production, test, and sustainment activitiesEDUCATION AND EXPERIENCERequiredBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline5+ years of experience in product, design, or manufacturing engineering rolesDemonstrated experience supporting cross-functional engineering executionPreferredExperience serving as a customer technical interfaceExperience in high-mix, low-volume environmentsWORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSOffice, manufacturing, and test environmentsFrequent interaction with shop floor and test areasMay require extended hours during build, test, or customer milestonesMay be required to lift materials, components, or equipment up to 40 lbsTRAVEL REQUIREMENTS0-15% as required to support customer engagements, test activities, or other Kratos locationsTHE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALS ASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.A REVIEW OF THIS CLASSIFICATION HAS EXCLUDED THE MARGINAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASSIFICATION THAT ARE INCIDENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL JOB JUTIES. ALL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THIS JOB PROFICIENTLY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS OR ABILITIES.EEO/M/F/D/V#LI-Onsite

Created: 2026-04-02