Chief Propulsion Architect – Aerospace

LiquidPiston Inc.; Suffield (CT); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health coverage

RSUs (Equity)

401(k) match

Career growth

Job summary

LiquidPiston, Inc. is seeking a Chief Engineer, Aerospace to provide strategic leadership for advanced propulsion technologies. The role oversees cross-disciplinary teams from concept through production, aligning technical solutions with business goals.

Responsibilities include defining system requirements, roadmaps, and milestones for propulsion solutions, plus ensuring compliance with aerospace standards. The position is onsite in Bloomfield, CT with relocation to Suffield planned for 2026.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field; Master’s or Ph.D. preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience in aerospace, propulsion, defense, or advanced energy systems.
• Expertise in internal combustion engines, propulsion systems, thermodynamics, combustion, and powertrain development.
• Experience developing propulsion systems for eVTOL, hybrid-electric aircraft, or UAVs.
• Strong understanding of propulsion integration with airframe, flight controls, avionics, and power management.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations from concept through commercialization.
• Knowledge of systems engineering, design verification, validation, flight testing, and certification processes.
• Experience managing government-funded R&D programs, including the DoD and related agencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical vision, architecture, and engineering execution for aerospace propulsion programs.
• Direct multidisciplinary engineering teams including mechanical, electrical, controls, power systems, manufacturing, and testing.
• Define system requirements, roadmaps, and milestones for advanced propulsion solutions.
• Oversee product lifecycle from concept to prototyping, validation, certification, manufacturing, and field deployment.
• Serve as principal technical authority for customer engagements and government programs.
• Drive sizing, development, and integration of propulsion for eVTOL, hybrid-electric aircraft, and UAS.
• Guide engine integration for UAS, AAM, defense aviation, and next-gen platforms.
• Establish engineering standards, design reviews, risk management, and configuration control.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Propulsion systems

Aerospace engineering

Systems engineering

DoD program management

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master’s or Ph.D. preferred

Job description

LiquidPiston, Inc. is seeking a Chief Engineer, Aerospace to provide strategic leadership for advanced propulsion technologies. The role oversees cross-disciplinary teams from concept through production, aligning technical solutions with business goals.

Responsibilities include defining system requirements, roadmaps, and milestones for propulsion solutions, plus ensuring compliance with aerospace standards. The position is onsite in Bloomfield, CT with relocation to Suffield planned for 2026.