Chief Engineer- Production WSI

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

Job summary

V2X in Indianapolis seeks a Production Chief Engineer to serve as the technical authority for defense programs, owning the design baseline and coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure compliant, cost-efficient delivery.

You will lead reviews, manage risks, and interface with Program Managers and customers while driving readiness through PRRs, FRBs, CTS, and production transitions using deep aerospace and DoD lifecycle expertise.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering required with 15+ years in defense system development.
• Master’s degree in Engineering preferred.
• Experience leading DoD or aerospace programs.

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

Skills

Chief Engineer experience

Systems engineering leadership

DoD program experience

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

Production readiness

Customer-facing leadership

MRO experience

DoD lifecycle knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering (preferred)

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 Production Chief Engineer within the Weapons System Integration (WSI) Team in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Production 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 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

• 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.
• Experience in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) program environments.
• Knowledge of routings, and work instructions.
• 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

• Experience supporting U.S. Air Force bomber programs (B-1B, B-2, B-52, B-21) in a technical leadership role
• 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.

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.

#LI-VH1