Chief Engineer

V2X, Inc.; Indianapolis, Northern (IN, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Wellness programs

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Learning resources

Employee assistance resources

Job summary

V2X, Inc. in Indianapolis, IN, seeks a Project Chief Engineer to lead technical execution for defense programs within the Rapid Defense Solutions Team.

You will own the technical baseline, drive architecture and interfaces, and coordinate cross-disciplinary teams to deliver mission-capable, compliant solutions aligned with customer requirements. Expect extensive DoD program leadership, risk management, and strong customer engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with 15+ years of defense experience.
• Master’s degree in Engineering preferred.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams on DoD/aerospace programs.
• Proficiency with DoD acquisition lifecycle and V-model.

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 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 (PRRs, FRBs, CTS).
• Ensure compliance with DoD MIL-STD, ITAR, cyber standards.
• Lead resolution of critical technical issues impacting program execution.
• Provide technical leadership for proposals, including BOE and architecture development.
• Partner with V2X engineering leadership to ensure application of project execution processes and independent technical assessments.

Skills

Chief Engineer experience

IPT Lead

Lead Systems Engineer

Defense programs

DoD acquisition lifecycle

Systems engineering V-model

Technical review process

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree in 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. We bring 120 years of successful mission support to improve security, streamline logistics, and enhance readiness. Aligned around a shared purpose, our $4.5B company and 16,000 people work alongside our clients, here and abroad, to tackle their most complex challenges with integrity, respect, responsibility, and professionalism.

Project Engineering at V2X:

Project Engineering is a specialized field within engineering that focuses on planning, managing, and executing projects. It combines technical expertise with project management skills to successfully achieve project objectives. Project Engineering demands a robust understanding of the project life cycle and its deliverables. Project engineers possess extensive engineering experience, particularly in the development and execution of engineering projects.

Role Overview:

V2X is seeking a Project Chief Engineer within the Rapid Defense Solutions Team in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Project 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:

• 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., 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 project execution 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:

• Prior Chief Engineer, IPT Lead, or Lead Systems Engineer experience at a major defense integrator.
• Proven technical leadership of multi-disciplinary teams on complex DoD or aerospace programs.
• Direct technical experience in any of the following Department of War (DoW) areas: Offensive/Defensive UAS Ground/Air Vehicle Autonomy, Weapon Systems Integration, C5ISR & Avionics
• Proficiency with DoD acquisition lifecycle, systems engineering V-model, and technical review process.

Desired Skills:

• EVMS certification with strong cost/schedule management
• 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).
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD secret clearance.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with 15+ 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

Pay and benefits are subject to change at any time and may be modified at the discretion of the company, consistent with the terms of any applicable compensation or benefit plans.

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.