Chief Engineer, Aerospace Propulsion & Defense

LiquidPiston, Inc.; Suffield (CT); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health & Wellness

Equity RSUs

401(k) Match

Career Growth

Job summary

LiquidPiston, Inc. seeks a Chief Engineer to provide strategic and technical leadership across the design, development, integration, and commercialization of advanced propulsion systems for aerospace and defense applications.

The role oversees mechanical, electrical, systems, testing, and other disciplines to ensure performance, safety, and regulatory compliance. You will guide teams from concept through flight-ready hardware and commercialization, collaborating with executives and partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field; Master's/PhD preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive engineering leadership in aerospace, propulsion, or defense.
• Experience developing propulsion for eVTOL, hybrid-electric aircraft, or UAVs.
• Strong understanding of propulsion integration with airframe, flight controls, avionics, and power management.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams from concept to commercialization.
• Knowledge of systems engineering, verification, validation, flight testing, and certification.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Strategic leadership

Systems engineering

Propulsion integration

Flight testing

Project management

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering

Master's or Ph.D. preferred

Job description

LiquidPiston, Inc. seeks a Chief Engineer to provide strategic and technical leadership across the design, development, integration, and commercialization of advanced propulsion systems for aerospace and defense applications.

The role oversees mechanical, electrical, systems, testing, and other disciplines to ensure performance, safety, and regulatory compliance. You will guide teams from concept through flight-ready hardware and commercialization, collaborating with executives and partners.