Project Lead Jobs in San Diego, CA
Project Lead jobs in San Diego are in strong demand, concentrated in Sorrento Valley, UTC/La Jolla, and Downtown across defense technology, biotech, and software development. Employers hiring right now include BD, General Atomics, and Northrop Grumman. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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General Atomics (GA) and its affiliated companies are among the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development, ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless, and laser technologies.
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Project Accounting Manager II in our Accounting Department located in Torrey Pines (San Diego, CA).
This is a working manager role that combines people leadership with hands-on project accounting. The Project Accounting Manager II leads a team supporting government and commercial programs while directly performing complex project accounting, billing, revenue recognition, reconciliations, month-end close, and financial analysis.
This position is a key business partner to Contracts, Finance, Program Management, and other internal organizations and ensures project accounting activities comply with US GAAP, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Company policies, and disclosed practices.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
People Leadership and Team Management
- Supervise, lead, and develop Project Accounting personnel, including assigning work, establishing priorities, monitoring performance, and providing coaching and feedback.
- Support recruiting, selection, onboarding, retention, and development of Project Accounting staff.
- Coordinate work assignments and priorities to ensure deadlines and month-end, quarter-end, and year-end requirements are met.
- Provide financial guidance and serve as a subject matter resource to Project Accountants, management, and internal customers.
- Perform hands-on project accounting activities while managing the workload and priorities of the team.
- Prepare customer invoices for Cost Reimbursable, Fixed-fee, T&M, and Fixed-price (including progress and performance-based financing).
- Record and/or review journal entries for revenue, billed and unbilled accounts receivable, and other project accounting and close activities.
- Record revenue in close coordination with technical teams, in compliance with US GAAP and applicable Company policies.
- Perform project reconciliations; research and resolve complex discrepancies and accounting issues.
- Prepare government final and quick close-out invoices and support contract close-out activities.
- Prepare and review complex financial reports, analyses, and accounting schedules for management and internal customers.
- Coordinate and participate in government, financial, and internal audits, including responding to audit requests and researching supporting documentation.
- May provide financial information, briefings, and updates to management and internal or external representatives.
- Work closely with Contracts, Finance, Program Management, and other organizations to resolve project accounting, billing, revenue, and contractual issues.
- Ensure compliance with Financial Accounting Standards, Cost Accounting Standards, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and disclosed Company practices.
- Maintain the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Ensure all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations are observed wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
- Ensure work is accomplished in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
- Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, controls, reporting, and operational efficiency.
- Lead or support implementation of approved process improvements.
- May participate in the development and implementation of accounting policies, procedures, and practices affecting Project Accounting.
- Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.
- This position is expected to maintain a balance between people leadership and direct execution of Project Accounting responsibilities. The Project Accounting Manager II will not function solely in an administrative or supervisory capacity and is expected to remain actively involved in complex project accounting activities, including billing, revenue, reconciliations, journal entries, close activities, audits, and issue resolution.
We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.
Job Qualifications
- Typically requires a Bachelors degree in accounting, finance, or related discipline and nine or more years of progressively complex experience in finance/accounting. Must have experience in a commercial or government contractor environment. Equivalent experience may be substituted in lieu of education.
- Demonstrated experience with project accounting and invoicing for Cost Reimbursable, Fixed-fee, T&M, and Fixed- price (including progress and performance-based financing) contracts in a government contracting environment.
- Experience with USG portals MOCAS, VIPERS and WAWF along with industry standard portals.
- Demonstrated experience recording journal entries, performing reconciliations, and supporting month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
- Prior supervisory or leadership experience, including:
- Providing guidance on complex government contracting billing,
- Assigning work and establishing priorities,
- Reviewing work, coaching employees, and managing team performance.
- Detailed understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and government contracting accounting requirements.
- Strong knowledge of revenue recognition and project accounting invoicing principles.
- SAP experience is strongly preferred.
- Ability to identify and resolve complex accounting and financial issues and develop practical solutions.
- Ability to analyze and interpret complex financial data and communicate findings and recommendations to management.
- Strong organizational, planning, scheduling, and coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established deadlines.
- Strong leadership, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively with Contracts, Finance, Program Management, and other internal organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and make decisions within established guidelines.
- Strong customer service orientation and ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external customers.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, with strong working knowledge of Excel.
- Ability to work extended hours as required and travel as needed.
Job Category
Finance/Accounting
Experience Level
Management
Workstyle
Hybrid
Full-Time/Part-Time
Full-Time Salary
Pay Range Low
81,190
Pay Range High
145,338
Travel Percentage Required
0% - 25%
Relocation Assistance Provided?
No
US Citizenship Required?
Yes
Clearance Required?
No
Search Jobs at | General Atomics and Affiliated Companies
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Who's Hiring
- BD28

- General Atomics28

- Northrop Grumman28

- Turner Construction Company28

- EDF14

Project Lead Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a project lead job in San Diego?
Focus your search on San Diego's defense contracting corridor in Sorrento Valley and Kearny Mesa, the biotech and life sciences cluster in Torrey Pines and UTC, and the growing software and cybersecurity firms Downtown and in Carlsbad. Employers here value PMP certification, Agile fluency, and cross-functional coordination. Candidates with experience managing technical teams in defense or life sciences have a measurable edge in this market.
Which companies hire project leads in San Diego?
Companies currently hiring project leads in San Diego include BD, General Atomics, and Northrop Grumman, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Diego's hiring base skews heavily toward defense primes, biotech firms, and mid-size software companies, many of which run multiple simultaneous projects requiring dedicated lead oversight.
Are there remote project lead jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though availability depends on the sector: software and analytics-focused project lead roles are more often remote, while defense and lab-based biotech roles typically require on-site presence. About 40% of project lead openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of September 2026. Software and IT project leads working with San Diego's distributed tech firms tend to have the most remote flexibility.
How can I get a project lead job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Diego is moving into a project coordinator or associate project manager role at a mid-size defense contractor or biotech company, then building toward a lead title. San Diego employers like those in the Kearny Mesa industrial corridor and Sorrento Valley tech parks regularly hire coordinators who grow into leads. Demonstrating proficiency with tools like Jira, Smartsheet, or MS Project and completing a CAPM or entry-level Agile certification strengthens any application.
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