Chief Launch Vehicle Engineer - Lead Spaceflight Programs

X-Bow Systems; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

X-Bow Systems in Huntsville, AL seeks a Launch Vehicle Chief Engineer with 10+ years of progressive aerospace experience to lead development, integration, testing, and operation of launch vehicles. You will set engineering discipline standards and be the technical authority across propulsion, structures, avionics, GNC, and mission planning.

You will supervise multidisciplinary teams, drive risk management, and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements while delivering technically

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive engineering experience in aerospace/defense industries.
• Deep technical understanding of launch vehicle systems including propulsion, structures, avionics, and performance analysis.
• Proven track record leading multidisciplinary engineering teams on complex aerospace programs.
• Experience leading technical efforts on orbital, sub-orbital, or tactical vehicle programs.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal technical authority for launch vehicle development, integration, and flight operations.
• Establish and maintain technical vision, architecture, and design philosophy for the launch vehicle system and subsystems.
• Lead technical decision-making, risk assessments, and resolution of complex challenges.
• Chair technical review boards and provide final technical approval for major milestones (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR).
• Ensure technical integrity and mission success criteria across all program phases.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated launch vehicle solutions.
• Drive design-for-manufacturability, design-for-testability, and design-for-operations.
• Oversee trajectory design, performance analysis, and mission planning.
• Serve as technical lead for launch campaigns and flight operations; mentor engineering talent.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or related field

Job description

X-Bow Systems in Huntsville, AL seeks a Launch Vehicle Chief Engineer with 10+ years of progressive aerospace experience to lead development, integration, testing, and operation of launch vehicles. You will set engineering discipline standards and be the technical authority across propulsion, structures, avionics, GNC, and mission planning.

You will supervise multidisciplinary teams, drive risk management, and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements while delivering technically