Program Chief Engineer: Propulsion Systems

Plainsvc; Addison (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Dental and Vision plans

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Flexible work schedule (9/80)

On-site perks

Mentorship and growth opportunities

Job summary

Firehawk Aerospace in Addison, TX, seeks a Program Chief Engineer to lead the development of next‑generation solid and hybrid propulsion systems. You will serve as a technical integrator across research, design, analysis, manufacturing, test, quality, and production to meet technical, cost, schedule, and risk goals.

Reporting to the Chief Engineer, you will act as a technical deputy across Design, Development, Test, Manufacturing, and Production, guiding decisions and execution across the full

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of engineering experience with hardware development in aerospace, defense, propulsion, flight systems, or other complex high‑consequence products.
• Proven success leading technical execution, integrated planning, and cross‑functional coordination in a fast‑paced R&D or product development environment.
• Strong technical foundation in mechanical design, structural analysis, thermal analysis, internal ballistics/SRM performance, combustion/CFD, systems integration, or test engineering.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams in a matrixed organization.
• Ability to travel approximately 10% to Firehawk facilities, supplier locations, and test sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary team in the design, development, integration, test, and maturation of advanced solid and hybrid rocket propulsion systems.
• Own integrated planning and day‑to‑day execution across requirements, design, analysis, prototyping, system integration, test, manufacturing readiness, and transition to production.
• Drive program execution against technical performance, cost, schedule, and risk objectives.
• Serve as a primary technical focal point between Chief Engineering, Program Management, and functional teams to drive issue resolution and execution alignment.
• Develop and maintain integrated execution plans, schedules, risk/opportunity registers, and performance metrics.
• Support program planning disciplines including Earned Value Management, baseline management, and change control as applicable.
• Lead cross‑functional coordination across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Test Operations, Safety, and Program Management.
• Lead technical status reviews and provide actionable updates on performance, risks, opportunities, and mitigation plans.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional coordination

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering

Master’s degree or higher in Engineering

Job description

Firehawk Aerospace in Addison, TX, seeks a Program Chief Engineer to lead the development of next‑generation solid and hybrid propulsion systems. You will serve as a technical integrator across research, design, analysis, manufacturing, test, quality, and production to meet technical, cost, schedule, and risk goals.

Reporting to the Chief Engineer, you will act as a technical deputy across Design, Development, Test, Manufacturing, and Production, guiding decisions and execution across the full