CHIEF ENGINEER

Platform Aerospace; College Park (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Platform Aerospace seeks a Chief Engineer responsible for establishing and controlling technical milestones and quality performance across multiple engineering disciplines for ultra-long endurance UAS. The Chief Engineer reports directly to the CEO and is based in Hollywood, MD, with initiatives spanning design, analysis, testing, and production readiness.

You will lead the engineering team through concept, design, testing, and full-rate production, ensuring airworthiness, safety, reliability,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in STEM with 15+ years of experience OR advanced degrees with 10+ years.
• US Citizenship with ability to obtain andmaintaina DoD Secret Clearance.
• Proven leadership across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Strong aviation and aerospace manufacturing knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Oversee design, planning, and support of all engineering products.
• Align department with funded programs and control budgets.
• Mentor and train engineering teams.
• Approve major technical decisions and deviations.
• Ensure airworthiness, safety, reliability, and performance.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing and Flight Operations to ensure producibility.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Presentation skills

People management

Education

Bachelor's in STEM

Master's in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

CAD software

Python

C/C++

Electronics

Programming

Job description

Primary Function

Platform Aerospace is seeking a highly motivated and talented individual to join our team as an executive, Chief Engineer. As the leading provider of ultra-long endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), we have established a strong presence in the aerospace industry, including partnerships with key players in the defense sector. Chief Engineer reports directly to the CEO and is accountable for establishing and controlling technical milestones and quality performance of multiple engineering disciplines, projects, and activities.

JOB TITLE: CHIEF ENGINEER

DEPARTMENT: ENGINEERING

REPORTS TO: CEO

CLASSIFICATION: EXEMPT

CLEARANCE: SECRET

LOCATION: HOLLYWOOD, MD

Supervisory Responsibilities

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage resources and processes required to design, plan, and support all engineering products and services.
• Ensure engineering department leads are in line with funded programs and oversee costing for proposing new programs.
• Plans and coordinates the manning, budget, and project-level tasking of the engineering department.
• Provides training and mentoring to engineering teams.
• Provides technical expertise in:
• Mechanical design with experience in GD&T
• Drafting in accordance withASMY14.1
• Aerospace and carbon fiber aircraft
• Software design and testing from static, functional, and full system level
• Electrical hardware design, including PCB builds

Duties/Responsibilities

• Coordinates with the executive team and senior leadership to ensure that the Engineering Department meets company schedules and goals
• Drive the technical engineering data to align with the strategic vision and the company's roadmap.
• Serves as a strong technical leader to all engineering departments.
• Supports the development of new products from concept, prototype, design, testing, and full rate production
• Drive the quality of the manufacturing package for continued serial improvement of engineering data.
• Serve as the technical authority for all aircraft systems and engineering products.
• Approve major technical decisions, design trades, and deviations from established engineering standards.
• Maintain ownership of the technical baseline and system architecture across all programs.
• Ensure airworthiness, safety, reliability, maintainability, and performance requirements are met.
• Review and approve engineering change proposals and major design modifications.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing and Flight Operations to ensure designs are producible, maintainable, and operationally effective.
• Work within the AS9100 quality management system (QMS) and champion the use of processes and procedures, and drive updates when needed.
• Participate in program kickoff meetings, including understanding contract type, statement of work, program goals, budget, and milestones/schedule.
• Lead the engineering team to validate integrated systems and designs in accordance with technical standards by conducting analysis, testing, and thorough documentation of results.
• Ensure engineering supervisors and engineering staff are working on program supported design work.
• Other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM with 15+ years of experience; OR a Master's Degree in STEM with 10 years of experience; OR a PhD in STEM with 10 years of related experience.
• 10+ years of experience managing technical teams.
• U.S Citizenship with ability to obtain andmaintaina DoD Secret Clearance.
• Outstanding leadership and team-building capabilities, strategic thinking, robust technical and businessexpertise, and the ability to lead diverse engineering disciplines across various projects.
• Strong engineering background withdemonstratedexperience managing through design and production.
• Experience interfacing with customers,includingthosefrom the DoD and other military branches
• Knowledge and experience inaviation and aerospacecomponentmanufacturing Industry
• In-depth knowledge of UAS design, propulsion systems, avionics, and system integration
• Strongunderstanding ofregulatory frameworks and standards relevant to UAS operations
• Experience with an autopilot system
• Solid understanding of engineeringprocesseswith execution experience.
• Ability to build consensus and effectively resolve conflicts.
• Excellent people-management and supervisory skills.
• Proven excellent presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Extensive technical knowledge of engineering and product development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient in CAD software
• Familiarity with Python, C++, C,and other programming languages
• Familiar with electronics and programming
• Experience designing systems architecture for autonomous systems.
• Program management experience

Physical Requirements

• Prolongedperiodssitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able tolift upto 15 pounds at times.
• Ability to traversemanufacturingfacility.

Actual compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate's relevant experience, education and training, job-related knowledge and skills, the scope and level of responsibility of the position, internal equity, and market/business considerations. The listed range is a general guideline and may vary based on the selected candidate's qualifications and work location, where applicable.