Chief Aerospace Engineer (relocation provided)

Brightleaf Group; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Brightleaf Group seeks a Chief Engineer, Aerospace to provide strategic and technical leadership for propulsion technologies in aerospace and defense. You will oversee multidisciplinary teams, drive concept-to-production development, and ensure compliance with regulatory and customer requirements.

This high‑level role partners with exec leadership, government agencies, defense customers, and commercial partners to align technical solutions with business objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, Master’s or Ph.D. preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical vision, architecture, and engineering execution for aerospace propulsion programs.
• Direct multidisciplinary engineering teams including mechanical, electrical, controls, power systems, manufacturing, and testing.
• Define system requirements, technical roadmaps, and development milestones for advanced propulsion solutions.
• Oversee the complete product lifecycle from concept development to prototyping, validation, certification support, manufacturing, and field deployment.
• Serve as the principal technical authority for customer engagements, government programs, and strategic partnerships.
• Drive the sizing, development and integration of advanced propulsion systems for eVTOL, hybrid‑electric aircraft, and UAS.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering

Master's or Ph.D. preferred

Job description

The Chief Engineer, Aerospace, provides strategic and technical leadership for the design, development, integration, and commercialization of advanced propulsion technologies for aerospace and defense applications. This high-level technical role oversees multidisciplinary engineering teams responsible for developing innovative engine systems that meet demanding performance, reliability, regulatory, and customer requirements. Working closely with executive leadership, government agencies, defense customers, and commercial partners, the Chief Engineer drives technology development from concept through production, ensuring engineering excellence while aligning technical solutions with business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical vision, architecture, and engineering execution for aerospace propulsion programs.
• Direct multidisciplinary engineering teams including mechanical, electrical, controls, power systems, manufacturing, and testing.
• Define system requirements, technical roadmaps, and development milestones for advanced propulsion solutions.
• Oversee the complete product lifecycle from concept development to prototyping, validation, certification support, manufacturing, and field deployment.
• Serve as the principal technical authority for customer engagements, government programs, and strategic partnerships.
• Drive the sizing, development and integration of advanced propulsion systems for electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL), hybrid‑electric aircraft, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
• Direct the design, testing, and validation of propulsion solutions optimized for hover, transition, and forward‑flight performance.
• Integrate propulsion systems with flight controls, power management, avionics, and aircraft systems to achieve mission, performance, and reliability objectives.
• Guide engine integration for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), defense aviation, and next‑generation aerospace platforms.
• Establish engineering standards, design review processes, risk management practices, and configuration control.
• Lead trade studies, system performance analyses, failure investigations, and continuous product improvements.
• Collaborate with business development teams to identify new market opportunities and support proposal development for government and commercial contracts.
• Manage relationships with suppliers, research institutions, defense organizations, aircraft manufacturers, and aerospace partners.
• Mentor engineering leaders while fostering innovation, technical excellence, and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace, defense, quality, and safety standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline; Master’s or Ph.D. preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience within aerospace, propulsion, defense, or advanced energy systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in internal combustion engines, propulsion systems, thermodynamics, combustion, and powertrain development.
• Extensive experience developing propulsion systems for eVTOL, hybrid‑electric aircraft, or unmanned aerial vehicles.
• Strong understanding of propulsion integration with airframe, flight controls, avionics, and power management systems.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations from concept through commercialization.
• Strong knowledge of systems engineering, design verification, validation, flight testing, and product certification processes.
• Experience managing government‑funded R&D programs, including the Department of Defense and related agencies.
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts to executive leadership, customers, and stakeholders.
• Strong project management,, and organizational leadership skills.