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Project Officer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Leidos' Undersea Systems Division is seeking a Project Officer in San Diego, CA to join a fast-paced R&D engineering group. This role is a unique opportunity to drive innovation in underwater vehicle ...

Leidos' Undersea Systems Division is seeking a Project Officer in San Diego, CA to join a fast-paced R&D engineering group. This role is a unique opportunity to drive innovation in underwater vehicle ...

Description The AVP, Branch Projects Officer manages multiple projects independently and handles ... Establishes project priorities, timeline, and success metrics to ensure the projects are ...

IT Systems Integrator

Port Hueneme, CA · On-site

$150 - $210/hr

Coordinate directly with Construction team to include NAVFAC Construction Manager, MILCON Project Officer, end user, existing IT team, and contractors. Job Requirements Requirements: * Senior Systems ...

IT Systems Integrator

Port Hueneme, CA · On-site

$150K - $210K/yr

Coordinate directly with Construction team to include NAVFAC Construction Manager, MILCON Project Officer, end user, existing IT team, and contractors. Job Requirements Requirements: * Senior Systems ...

You'll work directly on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and play a critical role in the success of multiple custom home projects. If you're highly organized, proactive, and know your way ...

You'll work directly on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and play a critical role in the success of multiple custom home projects. If you're highly organized, proactive, and know your way ...

You'll work directly on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and play a critical role in the success of multiple custom home projects. If you're highly organized, proactive, and know your way ...

In a solar company, the CFO plays a critical role in project finance, cash flow management, tax incentives (ITC), regulatory compliance, and supporting scalable growth. Key Responsibilities Financial ...

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Showing results 1-20

Project Officer information

See California salary details

$41K

$84.9K

$135.2K

How much do project officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for project officer in California is $84,851.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,700.00 and $109,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a project officer?

A project officer is responsible for the administrative and organizational aspects of project management. As a project officer, your primary objective is to ensure the project’s success. It’s your job to set up meetings with the project manager and the project board, who oversee the big picture including the project’s budget and strategic goals. You must take detailed meeting minutes and share information and documents with key players who are unable to attend a meeting. Your duties also include documenting project developments, monitoring potential risks, and motivating the project team to meet deadlines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a project officer?

To excel as a Project Officer, you typically need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a relevant degree such as business administration or project management. Familiarity with project management software like MS Project or Asana and certifications such as PRINCE2 or PMP are commonly required. Excellent communication, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork set outstanding Project Officers apart. These skills ensure projects are well-coordinated, deadlines are met, and objectives are achieved efficiently.

What are some common challenges a project officer faces when coordinating between multiple stakeholders?

Project Officers often encounter challenges in balancing differing priorities and expectations among various stakeholders, such as team members, clients, and senior management. Effective communication and strong organizational skills are essential to ensure all parties are aligned and project goals remain on track. Navigating conflicting interests while maintaining project timelines and quality standards can be demanding, but developing good rapport and proactive problem-solving strategies can greatly help. Regular status updates and transparent reporting also contribute to smoother collaboration and project success.

What is the difference between Project Officer vs Project Coordinator?

AspectProject OfficerProject Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesSupports project implementation, monitors progress, assists with reportingOrganizes tasks, manages schedules, coordinates team activities
Required SkillsCommunication, basic project management, reportingOrganization, time management, communication
CertificationsOften requires project management or related certificationsTypically no formal certifications required
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, project sitesOffice-based, team environments

While both roles support project execution, a Project Officer focuses on monitoring and reporting, whereas a Project Coordinator handles organizing tasks and team coordination. The roles often overlap, but the Project Officer typically has a broader focus on project oversight and compliance.

Is a project officer a stressful job?

A project officer role can be stressful due to managing multiple tasks, deadlines, and stakeholder expectations. However, stress levels vary depending on the organization, workload, and experience, with strong organizational and communication skills helping to manage pressure effectively.

What is the salary for project officers?

The salary for project officers varies depending on experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $50,000 to $80,000 annually. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced project officers with certifications can earn higher salaries. Many roles also include benefits such as health insurance and paid leave.

What are the most commonly searched types of Project Officer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Project Officer jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Project Officer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,851 per year, or $40.8 per hour.

Project Officer

Leidos

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 153 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

81st of 500 rated business services


Job description

General program information and/or position overview:
Leidos' Undersea Systems Division is seeking a Project Officer in San Diego, CA to join a fast-paced R&D engineering group. This role is a unique opportunity to drive innovation in underwater vehicle systems, maritime sensors, subsea telemetry, and ISR solutions that support critical defense and national security missions at Naval Information Warfare Center, Pacific (NIWC PAC).
Leidos' USD is a recognized leader in C4ISR technologies, delivering innovative, mission-critical solutions across sensor networks, unmanned systems, and tactical platforms. We're known for achieving "industry firsts" in the most challenging maritime domains.
The selected candidate will be part of an elite, top-notch group and will be responsible for overseeing and managing the acceptance, testing, and certification of unmanned maritime vehicles for a rapid-paced, high-priority project. This is a high-impact leadership role that bridges the gap between the vehicle R&D team and the onsite production team. The Vehicle Production Lead manages the laboratory/shop environment, directs a team of technicians, and ensures that each unmanned platform meets the government's rigorous testing requirements and system specifications.
Join us and be part of a world-class team delivering unmatched solutions for today's most pressing maritime missions.
This position will require the candidate to maintain a Top Secret Clearance.
This position will require the candidate to work a 9/80B schedule (80 hours of work into nine days over a two-week period, allowing for every other Friday off) to align with the NIWC government team.
Primary Responsibilities:
  • Coordinate with NIWC Vehicle SMEs to review vehicle system data and address unforeseen technical issues.
  • Support the Test Director with planning and executing at-sea Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs), performance testing, and certification checks.
  • Manage and maintain the Master Production Schedule (MPS) along with system software and hardware baseline milestones.
  • Engage with industry partners on schedules, issues, and resources that impact NIWC's ability to deliver fully tested and operational vehicles on schedule.
  • Keep NIWC project leadership (PM, DPM, LSE, and Vehicle Lab Lead) informed of risks, issues, and challenges.
  • Oversee the configuration of vehicles to support sponsor requirements.
  • Generate vehicle readiness reports and track the status of each vehicle's issues/failures.
  • Manage vehicle inventory, materials, parts, and procurement of lab supplies.
  • Align the flow of materials to meet production requirements.
  • Prepare procurement requests for the production or purchase of components or parts based on the Master Production Schedule, shop load, and inventory requirements.
  • Manage vehicle production lab space and test equipment.
  • Manage local test procedures, tools, and equipment for conducting vehicle preparation, checkout, and post data offload for each system and at-sea event.
  • Coordinate with industry partners to develop in-lab test procedures, plans, tools, and equipment to ensure proper Factory and Government Acceptance Testing.
  • Liaison between Engineering/R&D and Production teams.
  • Implement, manage, and oversee quality assurance and configuration management programs for the vehicle production effort.
  • Maintain current knowledge of the quality control field, relying on current literature pertaining to materials use, technological advances, or statistical studies.
  • Analyze data to inform operational decisions or activities.
  • Affect significant improvements in projects, processes, and solutions to enhance results.

Basic Qualifications
  • U.S. Citizen with ability to obtain TOP SECRET security clearance; active SECRET clearance required.
  • Bachelor's (or higher) degree from an accredited institution and 5+ years of relevant experience.
  • Process-oriented and attention to detail.
  • Strong leadership skills.
  • Experience working with and managing small groups.
  • Must be flexible and responsive to customer needs.
  • Requires frequent movement around piers, docks, and facility spaces.
  • Required to transport or lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds across the facility.
  • Requires constant use of hands/fingers to operate machinery, tools, or computer equipment.
  • Requires ability to move about the warehouse, stoop, kneel, or reach for extended periods.
  • Ability to climb ladders up to 20 feet.
  • Able and willing to work aboard marine vessels of various sizes, sometimes overnight.
  • Requires work in various temperatures and inclement weather.
  • Required to work in /or in loud production environments.
  • Supervise 1+ personnel in their daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly activities and provide mentoring, guidance, and career discussions for direct report employee(s).
  • Be responsible for hiring, firing, raises, promotions, and all HR associated actions for direct report employee(s).

Preferred Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
  • System production experience
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills and teamwork abilities.
  • Highly organized and able to prioritize tasks for team members.
  • Ability to read, understand, and interpret complex technical documents.
  • Strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills
  • UUV testing experience (or general at-sea test experience)
  • Project management experience
  • Experience with Microsoft Office and Visio
  • Experience with Open Project is a plus
  • Ability to operate crane/davit
  • Capable of supporting at-sea testing is a plus
  • Small boat certified (or willingness to get certified) is a plus

SUBSEAMSS
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
August 19, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $82,550.00 - $149,225.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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