Job Information
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. Product Engineer in Auburn Hills, Michigan
Job Descriptions:
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 FUNCTIONS
Product & Project Leadership
Lead assigned products and engineering projects from concept through production and sustainment
Own day-to-day engineering execution, priorities, and deliverables for assigned products
Plan, coordinate, and execute engineering activities to meet program schedules and milestones
Identify technical risks and lead mitigation actions in coordination with the Lead Product Engineer
Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) – Customer Interface
Serve as the primary technical point of contact for assigned customers and programs
Lead customer technical discussions, reviews, and issue resolution
Ensure customer requirements are clearly understood, documented, and flowed into engineering deliverables
Support customer design reviews, test reviews, and technical data exchanges
Requirements, Design & Configuration Control
Own requirements flowdown from customer and system requirements to design outputs
Coordinate design activities with Design Engineering and System Engineering
Ensure designs are configuration-controlled and released in accordance with AS9100D
Lead and support engineering change requests (ECRs) and engineering change notices (ECNs)
Design-to-Production & Test Support
Ensure engineering deliverables support manufacturability, assembly, and test readiness
Support build readiness reviews, first article inspections (FAI), and test activities
Provide real-time engineering support to Manufacturing and Test during builds and investigations
Ensure design intent is preserved through production execution
Risk Management & Problem Resolution
Lead or support root cause analysis for technical and product-related issues
Quantify technical impacts of design changes, deviations, or process variation
Implement and verify corrective actions related to product performance and quality
Escalate technical risks appropriately to the Lead Product Engineer and Program Management
Documentation, Data & Digital Thread
Maintain accurate and complete engineering documentation (drawings, BOMs, specifications)
Ensure traceability between requirements, designs, tests, and delivered products
Support integration of engineering data into PLM, ERP, and QMS systems
Ensure engineering data is audit-ready and customer-ready
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Program Management to support schedule, cost, and risk objectives
Collaborate with Supply Chain to support sourcing, material readiness, and supplier technical issues
Work closely with Quality and Test Engineering to ensure product compliance and validation
Support continuous improvement initiatives related to product execution
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
No direct people management responsibility
May provide technical guidance and task leadership to junior engineers or technicians
Leads by influence, ownership, and technical credibility
Required Experience:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Required
Strong understanding of product engineering and lifecycle management
Experience leading engineering projects or workstreams
Ability to serve as a customer-facing technical point of contact
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications
Strong problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills
Ability to manage confidential and export-controlled information (ITAR)
Preferred
Experience in aerospace, defense, propulsion, or regulated manufacturing environments
Familiarity with AS9100D, configuration management, and design control
Experience supporting production, test, and sustainment activities
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Required
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
5+ years of experience in product, design, or manufacturing engineering roles
Demonstrated experience supporting cross-functional engineering execution
Preferred
Experience serving as a customer technical interface
Experience in high-mix, low-volume environments
WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Office, manufacturing, and test environments
Frequent interaction with shop floor and test areas
May require extended hours during build, test, or customer milestones
May be required to lift materials, components, or equipment up to 40 lbs
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
- 0–15% as required to support customer engagements, test activities, or other Kratos locations
THE 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
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Keyword: product engineering, lifecycle management, configuration control, AS9100D, requirements flowdown, design reviews, root cause analysis, PLM integration, customer interface, technical leadership
Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Disability Accessibility Accommodation
If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to HRAccessibility@kratosdefense.com or call 858-964-2916. Any inquires not related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded.
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From: Kratos Defense