Chief Engineer, Defense Aircraft Systems

Industrious Ventures; San Francisco, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vis

401(k) program and stock options

Flexible time-off policy

Flexible work environment

Job summary

Astro Mechanica is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead the technical development of aircraft for military applications. This senior role owns integrity, performance, and successful delivery across all engineering disciplines and serves as the top technical authority on the aircraft program.

You will drive cross-subsystem development, translate defense requirements into specifications, manage risks, and mentor a high-performing team while coordinating with customers, suppliers, and regulators to

Qualifications

• 10+ years of aircraft design and development experience.
• Experience supporting defense or military aerospace programs.
• Experience owning technical, schedule, and cost outcomes on a complex aerospace program.
• Deep knowledge of aircraft systems integration (propulsion, structures, aerodynamics, avionics).
• U.S. citizenship required; Secret Clearance required, Top Secret desired.

Responsibilities

• Provide Technical Leadership across propulsion, structures, avionics, flight controls, thermal management, and integration.
• Communicate with internal teams, customers, defense agencies, suppliers, and regulators on design challenges, risks, and path forward.
• Serve as the final engineering authority on design decisions and configuration control.
• Translate defense requirements into engineering specifications with traceability from requirements to test.
• Identify, track, and mitigate technical risks; lead root-cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Align engineering, manufacturing, quality, flight test, and program management around a unified plan.
• Mentor and grow a high-performing engineering organization.
• Guide analysis, ground test, and flight test campaigns to support certification milestones.

Skills

Technical Leadership

System Integration

Requirements Management

Risk Mitigation

Team Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Master's or PhD preferred

Job description

Astro Mechanica is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead the technical development of aircraft for military applications. This senior role owns integrity, performance, and successful delivery across all engineering disciplines and serves as the top technical authority on the aircraft program.

You will drive cross-subsystem development, translate defense requirements into specifications, manage risks, and mentor a high-performing team while coordinating with customers, suppliers, and regulators to