Actuation Systems Chief Engineer

Moog Military Aircraft LLC; Town of Elma (NY); On-site; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

401k matching

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Flexible Spending Account

Health Savings Account

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Moog seeks an Actuation Systems Chief Engineer in Buffalo, NY to lead technical strategy for actuation products and own system integrity across the product lifecycle. You will mentor engineers and guide cross-functional teams in an aerospace environment.

In this role, you will influence technology direction, partner with program management, manufacturing, and customers to ensure performance, safety, and compliance with industry standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical or Systems Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive engineering leadership in aerospace/defense actuation systems.
• Technical authority for complex engineering products and programs.
• Strong understanding of actuation technologies, motion control, hydraulics or related disciplines.
• Proven ability to lead large cross-functional initiatives and influence decisions.
• Knowledge of systems engineering, requirements management, risk assessment, verification/validation, configuration management.
• Experience reviewing critical deliverables and qualification activities.
• Ability to balance cost, schedule, performance, manufacturability and customer requirements.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with customers and leadership.
• Experience mentoring engineers and developing technical talent.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for actuation system products throughout the lifecycle.
• Ensure product integrity across development, qualification, production, and sustainment.
• Lead technical execution of aerospace/defense programs with multidisciplinary teams.
• Contribute to technology strategy and roadmaps for the business unit.
• Establish standards for performance, safety, manufacturability and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with engineering processes and industry standards.
• Approve technical content and artifacts across development and validation.
• Delegate authority while maintaining accountability.
• Guide production issue resolution and root-cause analysis.
• Mentor engineers and foster a culture of excellence.

Skills

Leadership experience

Actuation systems

Systems engineering

Customer engagement

Cross-functional leadership

Regulatory aerospace

Mentoring

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Success

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.

Employee Benefits

• 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

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.

Compliance

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

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.