Actuation Systems Chief Engineer

Socket.dev; Elma (WA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

401k matching

Relocation assistance

PTO policy

Job summary

Moog in Buffalo, NY seeks an Actuation Systems Chief Engineer to lead technical execution and program integrity for actuation products. You will mentor engineers, engage with customers and government stakeholders, and guide cross-functional teams across the full lifecycle.

The role emphasizes rigorous systems engineering, risk management, and adherence to aerospace standards, with strong focus on strategic technology advancement and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or Systems Engineering.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible engineering experience in aerospace/defense.
• Experience as technical authority for complex engineering products and programs.
• Strong understanding of actuation technologies and control systems.
• Proven ability to lead large cross-functional initiatives and influence decisions.
• Knowledge of systems engineering, requirements, risk, verification and config mgmt.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for actuation system products throughout the lifecycle.
• Ensure product integrity across development, qualification, production, sustainment, and aftersales.
• Lead technical execution of complex aerospace/defense programs with multidisciplinary teams.
• Contribute to technology strategy and roadmaps within the business unit.
• Establish standards for performance, reliability, safety, and manufacturability.
• Ensure compliance with engineering processes, policies, and standards.
• Approve technical content and artifacts; delegate authority when appropriate.
• Provide technical disposition for production and field issues; lead IDRs.
• Collaborate with program management, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and customers.

Skills

Bachelor's degree in engineering

10+ years engineering leadership

Technical authority

Actuation technologies

Cross-functional leadership

Systems engineering

Customer engagement

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Electrical/Systems Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Moog is a performance culture that empowers people to achieve great things. Our people enjoy solving interesting technical challenges in a culture where everyone trusts each other to do the right thing. For you, working with us can mean deeper job satisfaction, better rewards, and a great quality of life inside and outside of work.

Job Title

Actuation Systems Chief Engineer

Reporting To

Executive, General Engineering

Work Schedule

Onsite – Buffalo, NY

Moog is a performance culture that empowers people to achieve great things. Our employees enjoy solving interesting technical challenges in an environment built on trust, collaboration, and accountability. At Moog, you'll work alongside highly skilled professionals developing advanced aerospace and defense technologies that support critical customer missions around the world.

As part of the Moog Space and Defense Group, the Actuation Systems Chief Engineer serves as the technical leader responsible for ensuring product integrity, technical excellence, and strategic technology advancement across a portfolio of sophisticated actuation systems. This is a highly influential role that combines technical leadership, customer engagement, product stewardship, and engineering mentorship.

For you, working with us can mean deeper job satisfaction, better rewards, and a great quality of life inside and outside of work.

To be considered for the Actuation Systems Chief Engineer role, here's what you'll need to bring with you:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible engineering experience, including extensive experience leading the design, development, qualification, and lifecycle support of complex aerospace, defense, electromechanical, or actuation systems.

• Demonstrated experience serving as a technical authority for complex engineering products and programs.

• Deep understanding of actuation technologies, motion control, electromechanical systems, hydraulic systems, servo systems, or related engineering disciplines.

• Proven ability to lead large, cross-functional engineering initiatives and influence technical decisions across multiple organizations.

• Strong knowledge of systems engineering principles, requirements management, risk assessment, verification, validation, and configuration management processes.

• Experience reviewing and approving critical engineering deliverables, technical baselines, and qualification activities.

• Ability to evaluate complex technical trade-offs involving cost, schedule, performance, manufacturability, reliability, and customer requirements.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to effectively engage customers, executive leadership, and engineering teams.

• Demonstrated success mentoring engineers and developing technical talent.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in highly complex environments.

• Ability to work effectively in a regulated aerospace and defense environment.

• U.S. Citizenship may be required to support certain government contracts and access controlled information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.

• Experience as a Chief Engineer, Technical Fellow, Lead Systems Engineer, Engineering Manager, or equivalent technical leadership role.

• Recognized subject matter expertise in aerospace actuation systems, flight control systems, electromechanical systems, motion control technologies, or related disciplines.

• Experience supporting military, space, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries.

• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance.

• Experience interacting directly with customers and government agencies on highly technical programs.

As an Actuation Systems Chief Engineer, you will:

• Serve as the technical authority for actuation system products and programs throughout the full product lifecycle.

• Be accountable for product integrity across development, qualification, production, sustainment, and aftermarket support activities.

• Lead the technical execution of complex aerospace and defense programs involving multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Play a key role in Business Unit technology strategy development and execution of technology and product roadmaps.

• Establish and maintain technical standards that support product performance, reliability, safety, manufacturability, and customer satisfaction.

• Ensure compliance with Moog engineering processes, company policies, customer specifications, and applicable industry standards.

• Own and approve the technical content and quality of development, verification, validation, and qualification artifacts.

• Delegate technical authority when appropriate while maintaining overall accountability for technical decisions and product performance.

• Provide final technical disposition and decision-making support for production and field issues, including notices of escape and corrective actions.

• Lead and participate in Internal Development Reviews (IDRs) to ensure technical rigor and development process compliance.

• Partner closely with program management, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, systems engineering, and customer teams to achieve program objectives.

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor and primary subject matter expert for customers, business leadership, and engineering teams.

• Drive continuous improvement of engineering processes, standards, tools, and technical documentation.

• Mentor engineers and technical leaders while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and technical excellence.

• Balance technical risk, customer commitments, cost objectives, and business priorities to protect product integrity and mission success.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, you will be recognized as the technical leader responsible for safeguarding product integrity, advancing actuation system technologies, and ensuring successful program execution. You will influence technology direction, shape engineering best practices, mentor the next generation of technical leaders, and help deliver innovative solutions that support critical aerospace and defense missions worldwide.

How We Care for You:

• Financial Rewards: great compensation package, bonus opportunities, matching 401k, and the ability to participate in Employee Stock Purchase Plan (select locations), Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts

• Work/Life Balance: Flexible paid time off, holidays and parental leave program, relocation assistance.

• Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”) and other supplemental benefit coverages.

• Professional Skills Development: Tuition Assistance, mentorship and coaching opportunities, leadership development and other personal growth programs

• Culture: Warm, respectful, family-like environment driven by our 12 core values. Multiple Employee Resource Groups led by our employees, open and welcoming to all.

Salary Range Transparency

Buffalo, NY $200,000.00–$240,000.00 Annually

Salary Range Disclaimer

The base salary range represents the low and high end of the Moog salary range for this position in the given work location. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range(s) listed is just one component of Moog's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, employee stock purchase plan, an open paid time off policy, and many region-specific benefits.

Moog offers an inclusive workplace, and, as such, affirms the right of every person to participate in all aspects of employment based on merit without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, contact our Human Resources department via phone at 844-367-5787.

This position requires access to U.S. export-controlled information.