Chief Engineer New El Segundo, CA

Skyryse; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock option plan

Subsidized medical, dental and vision

20 days PTO + 5 sick days

Job summary

Skyryse seeks a Chief Engineer to own the architectural vision and execution for its fly-by-wire systems, coordinating software, hardware, and flight operations to meet safety, performance, and regulatory requirements.

You will drive certification activities with the CEO, VP of Engineering, and VP of Certification, ensuring design evidence supports SkyOS certification on rotorcraft platforms. Strong leadership is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering, or equivalent.
• 10+ years of professional experience in full-cycle engineering roles.
• Experience with component-level qualification for aerospace applications.
• Experience with aviation certification requirements and the evidence they demand.

Responsibilities

• Own architectural vision for fly-by-wire systems and set the technical plan.
• Coordinate cross-functional execution across software, hardware, and flight operations.
• Identify technical risks early and implement mitigation strategies.
• Develop and maintain the architectural vision to meet performance, safety, and reliability requirements.
• Work with stakeholders to elicit and document system requirements and translate them into technical specifications.
• Make and defend data-informed design decisions and trade-offs; act as the accountable technical voice.
• Review technical documentation, design artifacts, and test plans.
• Partner with the certification organization to support certification basis.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for internal leadership and external partners.

Skills

Full-cycle engineering

Architectural design leadership

Risk mitigation

Trade-off decision making

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering

Master's degree or PhD in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical/Systems Engineering

Tools

ARP4754A

ARP4761

DO-178C

DO-254

14 CFR Part 27

Job description

We’re on a mission to make the skies safe and accessible for everyone. Our technology gives pilots greater control by simplifying the management of any aircraft during standard flight operations, inclement weather, and emergencies. Our SkyOS solution, rigorously and relentlessly developed by skilled and dedicated Skyrysers, is the key to unlocking this unbounded future. Our technology, combined with our commitment to saving lives and our passion for aviation, will empower everyone to experience the joy and freedom of flight.

The Chief Engineer is the senior technical authority for our fly-by-wire flight control systems, accountable for taking complex engineering programs from concept through certification and deployment.

You will own the architectural vision for the fly-by-wire system and, just as importantly, own its execution: setting the technical plan, coordinating engineering activity across software, hardware, and flight operations, resolving trade-offs, and holding the line on safety, performance, and regulatory requirements. You will work directly with the CEO, the VP of Engineering, and the VP of Certification to drive certification of SkyOS on the R66.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical project planning: scope definition, scheduling, resource allocation, and dependency management across engineering disciplines.
• Coordinate cross-functional execution across software, hardware, systems, and program management to support development, qualification, and certification.
• Identify technical risks early and implement mitigation strategies; elevate clearly and without delay when mitigation isn't working.
• Develop and maintain the architectural vision for fly-by-wire systems, ensuring they meet performance, safety, and reliability requirements.
• Work with stakeholders to elicit and document system requirements, and translate them into technical specifications and allocated design.
• Make and defend data-informed design decisions and trade-offs; serve as the accountable technical voice when requirements conflict.
• Review technical documentation, design artifacts, and test plans.
• Partner with the certification organization to ensure design, evidence, and documentation support the certification basis.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for internal leadership and external partners, including suppliers and regulators.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering, or a related field — or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of professional experience in full-cycle engineering roles.
• Experience with component-level qualification for aerospace applications.
• Experience with applicable aviation certification requirements and the evidence they demand.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• 15+ years of professional experience in full-cycle engineering roles.
• Experience with rotorcraft design and verification.
• Familiarity with ARP4754A, ARP4761, DO-178C, DO-254, and 14 CFR Part 27 certification.
• Background in complex embedded systems or avionics integration.

WHY SKYRYSE?

• The opportunity to change the world through improving aviation safety and accessibility
• Salary Range: $250,000 - $300,000
• Valuable stock option plan
• Heavily subsidized medical, dental and vision plans
• Full-time employees are eligible for 20 days of paid time off (PTO) and 5 sick days annually. PTO and sick days must be used in accordance with Company policy.
• A company with an ambitious vision, a dynamic work environment, and a team of smart, motivated, and fun to work-with colleagues!

Skyryse is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Employment is contingent upon confirmation of authorization to export in accordance with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security Export Administration Regulations.

NO AGENCY CANDIDATES WILL BE CONSIDERED.