Senior Project Management Specialist at QuEST Defense · Cincinnati

Quest Defense is seeking a Project Management Specialist to provide planning, scheduling, task management, structured problem solving, and operational execution support within an advanced aerospace engineering environment.

The individual will partner with engineering leadership and technical teams to develop and maintain task sheets, integrated schedules, Gantt charts, action registers, operating-review inputs, and visual-management tools. This role requires an individual who can translate technical-team inputs into clear execution plans, identify dependencies and schedule risks, and maintain disciplined follow-through within a classified work environment.

Due to the nature of these roles, applicants must be US Citizen. This role is 100% onsite in Cincinnati, OH.

Potential Job Functions:

• Lead daily stand-ups, Project/Line of balance (LOB) meetings
• Develop and track engineering project schedules
• Track schedule, commit dates & delivery of critical engine hardware
• Track/communication of action items
• Prepare project schedule variance and recovery plan
• Provide weekly progress updates on existing issues until items are closed
• Review issue logs on a daily basis and acknowledge and process new issues
• Manage/coordinate due dates on a weekly basis to prevent issues from becoming overdue
• Participate in internal team calls to engage help where needed to resolve issues
• Interact with multiple organizations and management levels
• Leverage internal contacts to drive issues to closure
• Prepare & present weekly & monthly reports

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, project management, business, operations, supply chain, or related discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of experience leading (project management) of engineering or technically driven projects
• 5-9 years of experience with Aerospace/Aircraft Engines
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or other scheduling software
• Knowledge of engineering processes:
  • Engineering change process
  • Customer gated review process
  • Design reviews process
• Experience developing and maintaining project schedules or Gantt charts.
• Experience managing tasks, milestones, dependencies, actions, and due dates.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Ability to structure incomplete or complex information into practical execution plans.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate with engineering and leadership stakeholders.
• Ability to work full-time on-site in the Greater Cincinnati area.
• Due to the nature of these roles, applicants must be US Citizen.

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace or defense industry experience.
• Experience working in classified engineering or program environments.
• Experience supporting engineering design teams or advanced technology programs.
• Experience with Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Smartsheet, Open Plan, or similar scheduling tools.
• Familiarity with critical-path analysis, schedule recovery, and dependency management.
• Experience with Lean, FLIGHT DECK, Daily Management, or structured problem-solving methods.
• Experience preparing weekly, monthly, or executive operating-review inputs.
• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, Spotfire, or similar visualization tools.
• Experience in adoption and/or integration of emerging technologies (e.g., generative AI, automation platforms, digital assistants) into day-to-day operations for continuous improvement.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

• Mostly Office Environments, Occasional Shop Floor involvement.
• Substantial amounts of telephone, video conferencing and computer work.
• Heavily Regulated Industries with strict adherence to procedures.
• Flexibility to meet business deadlines by staying late or arriving early.
• Typical 8 hour days plus lunch / 40 hour weeks / core (required) hours are 9AM to 4PM
• Ability to use personal transportation to visit customer locations

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The QDSS Advantage:

At QDSS, our advantage is purpose-driven work, collaborative teams, and complex challenges that push boundaries and build lasting impact. You’ll grow your career while contributing to mission-critical programs that demand excellence and shape the future.

What You’ll Find Here

• Work That Matters – Next-generation, safety- and mission-critical projects where your contributions have real-world impact.
• Growth That’s Supported – Competitive compensation, employer-matched 401(k), certification assistance, and clear opportunities for advancement.
• A Culture That Works – A flexible, collaborative, and people-first environment where teamwork, innovation, and balance are valued.

Benefits Include

• Competitive pay, comprehensive medical/dental/life and disability coverage, 401(k) with employer match, professional development support, and a flexible, friendly workplace.

Full compensation package is based on candidate experience and certifications Pay Ranges

$72,000—$85,000 USD