Chief Engineer

V2X, Inc.; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Life insurance, AD&D, and disability

Retirement plan

Wellness programs

Paid time off

Tuition Reimbursement

Learning and Development resources

Employee assistance resources

Job summary

V2X, Inc. in Indianapolis, IN, seeks a Program Chief Engineer to lead technical execution on rapid defense solutions programs, ensuring design integrity and compliance across the full lifecycle.

The role demands hands-on leadership of multidisciplinary teams, close collaboration with customers and program managers, and accountability for risk, cost, and schedule in a fast-paced defense environment. Bachelor's degree and 11+ years in defense systems, with MIL-STD, RMF, and ITAR familiarity

Qualifications

• Proven technical leadership of multidisciplinary teams on DoD or aerospace programs.
• Experience with manufacturing processes and MRBs, production transitions, and risk management.
• Familiarity with DoD acquisition lifecycle, systems engineering V-model, and technical review processes.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority and design owner for assigned programs.
• Develop, maintain, and control the technical baseline, architecture, interfaces, and design integrity.
• Lead cross-disciplinary technical teams across systems, software, hardware, cybersecurity, integration, and test.
• Act as the customer-facing technical lead for reviews and technical interchange meetings.
• Identify, assess, and manage technical risks throughout the program lifecycle.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager to ensure technical cost, schedule, and performance objectives.
• Lead technical gate reviews and readiness assessments (CDRs, TRRs, PRRs, FRBs, CTS).
• Ensure compliance with DoD, MIL-STD, ITAR, cyber compliance.
• Lead resolution of critical technical issues impacting program delivery.
• Provide technical leadership for proposals, including BOE, architecture development, and capture support.
• Partner with V2X leadership to apply production processes and independent assessments.

Skills

Technical leadership

Defense programs

Systems engineering

DoD lifecycle

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

RMF / NIST compliance

V-model systems engineering

Job description

Overview

V2X Overview: Working across the globe, V2X builds smart solutions designed to integrate physical and digital infrastructure from base to battlefield. With 120 years of successful mission support, we enhance security, streamline logistics, and improve readiness. Aligned around a shared purpose, our $4.5B company, supported by 16,000 employees, collaborates closely with clients, both domestic and international, to solve complex challenges with integrity, respect, responsibility, and professionalism.

Role Overview: V2X is seeking a Program Chief Engineer for the Rapid Defense Solutions Team in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Program Chief Engineer (CE) serves as the primary technical authority for assigned defense programs, with full accountability for technical execution, risk posture, and design integrity across the program lifecycle. The CE partners closely with Program Managers, customer technical leadership, and cross-functional teams to ensure delivery of mission-capable, cost-effective, and compliant solutions aligned to customer requirements, V2X technical standards, and contractual obligations.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities: As a Program Chief Engineer, you will:

• Serve as the technical authority and design owner for assigned programs.
• Develop, maintain, and control the technical baseline, architecture, interfaces, and design integrity.
• Lead cross-disciplinary technical teams across systems, software, hardware, cybersecurity, integration, and test.
• Act as the customer-facing technical lead for reviews, technical interchange meetings, and program execution.
• Identify, assess, and manage technical risks throughout the program lifecycle.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager to ensure technical cost, schedule, and performance objectives are achieved.
• Lead technical gate reviews and readiness assessments (e.g., Critical Design Review [CDRs], Test Readiness Review [TRRs], Production Readiness Review [PRRs], Failure Review Boards [FRBs], Consent to Ship [CTS] Reviews).
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards (DoD, MIL-STD, ITAR, cyber compliance, etc.).
• Lead resolution of critical technical issues impacting program execution or delivery.
• Provide technical leadership for proposals, including basis of estimate (BOE), architecture development, and capture support.
• Partner with V2X functional engineering leadership to ensure application of production processes, specialty engineering, and independent technical assessments.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic technical thinker with ability to balance innovation and disciplined execution.
• Highly collaborative leader able to work across functional teams, customers, and leadership.
• Effective communicator with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Decisive problem solver with strong ownership of program’s technical posture.

Qualifications

Required Skills

• Proven technical leadership of multi-disciplinary teams on complex DoD or aerospace programs.
• Experience with manufacturing processes, Material Review Boards (MRBs), and transition to production activities, and risk management.
• Proficiency with DoD acquisition lifecycle, systems engineering V-model, and technical review process.

Desired Skills

• Prior Chief Engineer, IPT Lead, or Lead Systems Engineer experience at a major defense integrator.
• Design and Development Program Experience
• Knowledge of routings, work instructions, and Production program environments.
• Experience interfacing with senior defense customers, including Program Executive Officers (PEOs) and Program Management (PM) offices.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD compliance, safety standards, cybersecurity compliance (RMF, NIST).
• Active Secret clearance preferred

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline with 11+ years of experience in defense system development, emerging engineering leadership, and program execution. Master’s degree in Engineering preferred.

What We Bring

At V2X we strive to be market competitive in our total reward offerings.

Employee benefits include the following:

• Healthcare coverage
• Life insurance, AD&D, and disability benefits
• Retirement plan
• Wellness programs
• Paid time off, including holidays and leave of absences
• Eligible Tuition Reimbursement
• Learning and Development resources
• Employee assistance resources

At V2X, we are deeply committed to both equal employment opportunity, including protection for Veterans and individuals with disabilities, and fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We ensure all individuals are treated with fairness, respect, and dignity, recognizing the strength that comes from a workforce rich in diverse experiences, perspectives, and skills. This commitment, aligned with our core Vision and Values of Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility, allows us to leverage differences, encourage innovation, and expand our success in the global marketplace, ultimately enabling us to best serve our clients.

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