Chief Engineer
$275,000–$325,000 year
On-siteSan Jose, California, United States
Job Summary
Lead design, analysis, development, integration, and launch of space vehicles by managing technical integrity and baselines. Act as independent technical authority for requirements, design, risks, and schedule assessments with Program Managers. Identify gaps across requirements, design, manufacturing, and operations to provide practical solutions throughout the life cycle. Assess aggregate technical risks, approve compliance at major reviews, and provide engineering leadership for design, analysis, and systems engineering processes. Define system requirements, perform trade studies, lead design reviews, and manage spacecraft harnessing and interface design. Collaborate with leadership to align technology roadmaps, ensure engineering process compliance, and represent the company to key customers. Oversee program gate reviews, validate designs for cost and quality, and provide customer-facing technical guidance. Define and maintain risk mitigation strategies while supporting on-orbit operations and flight anomaly resolution. Mentor engineers across all levels and drive consensus among diverse stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
- Knowledge of Vehicle Product development designs including structures; guidance, navigation, software, propulsion, electronics/payloads, communications, materials, subsystems, and Integration and Testing
- Knowledge in the development of high-fidelity aerospace vehicle control and dynamics, vehicle structural dynamics, and accuracy simulations and performance assessment (including propulsion, steering and control, and accuracy)
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated experience with high value customer presentations, with ability to focus on multiple projects with competing priorities
- Ability to collaborate and achieve consensus when dealing with groups from diverse organizations and backgrounds
- Experience integrating multiple engineering specialties and stakeholders across multiple Integrated Product Teams and Suppliers
- Experience leading design, production, and integration of complex systems
- Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) experience
- Strong understanding and broad application of complex engineering systems (engineering standards, configuration management, material review board, process control, tooling, facilities, software, etc.)
- Demonstrated ability to make difficult technical decisions with good judgement
- Demonstrated ability to work with multifunctional teams and drive to results
- Design Engineering/Computer-aided Design (CAD) experience and engineering releases utilizing Product Lifecycle Management tools
- Experience defining requirements and executing verification plans
- Experience performing system level trade studies
- Experience creating power, communications and mass budgets
- Experience leading a technical team in system level reviews
- Experience with spacecraft mission analysis, design, and AI&T
- Ability to work independently
- Excellent technical communications skills
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- BS, MS, and/or Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline
- 15+ years relevant experience in full life-cycle development of spacecraft
- U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)
Desired Qualifications
- Expert knowledge of Vehicle Product development designs including structures; guidance, navigation, software, propulsion, electronics/payloads, communications, materials, subsystems, and Integration and Testing
- Expert knowledge in the development of high-fidelity aerospace vehicle control and dynamics, vehicle structural dynamics, and accuracy simulations and performance assessment (including propulsion, steering and control, and accuracy)
- Subject Matter Expert {SME) experience and familiarity with high accuracy inertial measurement system modeling and performance; including calibration and alignment principles, Kalman filtering, and instrument error modeling
- SME experience in subsystem and vehicle model maturation and validation using test and proven analytical methods
- SME experience and knowledge in principles of MBSE (Model Based System Engineering)
- Experience with industry program management processes including CCB, ERB, EVMS, and Risk Management
- Previous experience working on DoD and other USG development and deployment programs
- Ability to hold and maintain a USG Security Clearance
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