Propulsion Systems Chief Engineer

Moog Inc; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Moog Inc in Buffalo, NY is seeking a Propulsion Systems Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership across concept through sustainment for advanced propulsion products. You will guide technology strategy, ensure product integrity, and lead multidisciplinary teams in a highly visible, regulated environment.

The role demands a strong engineering background, 10+ years in aerospace/defense programs, and the ability to mentor staff while collaborating with customers and leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible engineering experience, including significant experience leading complex aerospace, defense, propulsion, or electromechanical systems programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in product development, system design, qualification, verification, and lifecycle support for highly engineered systems.
• Proven ability to serve as a technical authority and influence engineering decisions across organizations.
• Experience developing technology strategies, product roadmaps, and long-term engineering plans.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, requirements management, risk management, and design assurance processes.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams through complex technical challenges.
• Track record of balancing technical, schedule, cost, and customer requirements in a regulated environment.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage effectively with engineers, customers, senior leadership, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and foster a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Experience with aerospace and defense industry standards, product qualification processes, and mission-critical system development.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, if required.
• Preferred: Master's degree; recognized propulsion/actuation/controls expertise; Chief Engineer/Lead Systems Engineer experience; customer-facing experience; active clearance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for propulsion system products and programs across development, production, and sustainment activities.
• Be accountable for product integrity throughout the entire product lifecycle, including research and development, customer-funded programs, production, and aftermarket support.
• Lead technical execution of large, complex engineering programs involving multidisciplinary teams.
• Partner with business and engineering leadership to develop and execute technology roadmaps and long-term product strategies.
• Ensure compliance with Moog engineering processes, industry standards, customer requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Own and approve technical content, design decisions, qualification activities, and engineering deliverables associated with product development programs.
• Delegate technical authority where appropriate while maintaining accountability for technical decisions affecting product performance, reliability, safety, and quality.
• Provide final technical disposition and decision-making support for production, sustainment, and field issues, including notices of escape and corrective actions.
• Lead internal technical reviews and development assurance activities to ensure product readiness and risk reduction.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, program management, and customer teams.
• Act as a trusted technical partner and subject matter expert for customers, suppliers, and executive leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to engineering processes, product development methodologies, and technical standards.
• Mentor and develop engineering talent while promoting Moog’s values and technical excellence culture.
• Balance technical risk, cost, schedule, manufacturability, and customer requirements to achieve successful program outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Systems engineering

Product development

System design

Lifecycle support

Technology strategy

Roadmaps

Engineering planning

Requirements management

Risk management

Design assurance

Team leadership

Program management

Communication

Presentation

Mentoring

A&D standards

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Systems Engineering or related

Master's degree in Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Moog is a performance culture that empowers people to achieve great things. Our people enjoy solving interesting technical challenges in a culture where everyone trusts each other to do the right thing. For you, working with us can mean deeper job satisfaction, better rewards, and a great quality of life inside and outside of work.

Job Title:

Propulsion Systems Chief Engineer

Reporting To:

Executive, General Engineering

Work Schedule:

Onsite - Buffalo, NY

Moog is a performance culture that empowers people to achieve great things. Our employees enjoy solving interesting technical challenges in an environment built on trust, collaboration, and accountability. At Moog, you'll work alongside talented professionals who are passionate about innovation and committed to delivering mission-critical solutions for aerospace and defense customers around the world.

The Space and Defense Group is seeking a Propulsion Systems Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership across the full lifecycle of advanced propulsion and actuation products. This is a highly visible role for an experienced engineering leader who will serve as the technical authority for critical programs, guide technology strategy, and ensure product integrity from concept development through production and sustainment.

For you, working with us can mean deeper job satisfaction, better rewards, and a great quality of life inside and outside of work.

To be considered for the Propulsion Systems Chief Engineer role, here's what you'll need to bring with you:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible engineering experience, including significant experience leading complex aerospace, defense, propulsion, or electromechanical systems programs.

• Demonstrated expertise in product development, system design, qualification, verification, and lifecycle support for highly engineered systems.

• Proven ability to serve as a technical authority and influence engineering decisions across organizations.

• Experience developing technology strategies, product roadmaps, and long-term engineering plans.

• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, requirements management, risk management, and design assurance processes.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams through complex technical challenges.

• Track record of balancing technical, schedule, cost, and customer requirements in a regulated environment.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage effectively with engineers, customers, senior leadership, and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and foster a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.

• Experience with aerospace and defense industry standards, product qualification processes, and mission-critical system development.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, if required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.

• Recognized subject matter expertise within propulsion, actuation, aerospace systems, controls, or related technologies.

• Experience serving as Chief Engineer, Technical Director, Lead Systems Engineer, or equivalent technical leadership role.

• Prior customer-facing experience supporting aerospace, defense, or government programs.

• Active U.S. Government security clearance.

As a Propulsion Systems Chief Engineer, you will:

• Serve as the technical authority for propulsion system products and programs across development, production, and sustainment activities.

• Be accountable for product integrity throughout the entire product lifecycle, including research and development, customer-funded programs, production, and aftermarket support.

• Lead technical execution of large, complex engineering programs involving multidisciplinary teams.

• Partner with business and engineering leadership to develop and execute technology roadmaps and long-term product strategies.

• Ensure compliance with Moog engineering processes, industry standards, customer requirements, and regulatory obligations.

• Own and approve technical content, design decisions, qualification activities, and engineering deliverables associated with product development programs.

• Delegate technical authority where appropriate while maintaining accountability for technical decisions affecting product performance, reliability, safety, and quality.

• Provide final technical disposition and decision-making support for production, sustainment, and field issues, including notices of escape and corrective actions.

• Lead internal technical reviews and development assurance activities to ensure product readiness and risk reduction.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, program management, and customer teams.

• Act as a trusted technical partner and subject matter expert for customers, suppliers, and executive leadership.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to engineering processes, product development methodologies, and technical standards.

• Mentor and develop engineering talent while promoting Moog’s values and technical excellence culture.

• Balance technical risk, cost, schedule, manufacturability, and customer requirements to achieve successful program outcomes.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, you will be recognized as a trusted technical leader whose decisions directly influence product performance, customer satisfaction, business growth, and technology advancement. You will help shape the future of Moog’s propulsion technologies while ensuring the highest standards of engineering excellence, product integrity, and mission success.

How We Care for You:

• Financial Rewards: great compensation package, bonus opportunities, matching 401k, and the ability to participate in Employee Stock Purchase Plan (select locations), Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts

• Work/Life Balance: Flexible paid time off, holidays and parental leave program, relocation assistance.

• Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan ("EAP") and other supplemental benefit coverages.

• Professional Skills Development: Tuition Assistance, mentorship and coaching opportunities, leadership development and other personal growth programs

• Culture: Warm, respectful, family-like environment driven by our 12 core values. Multiple Employee Resource Groups led by our employees, open and welcoming to all.

#LI-KM

Salary Range Transparency:

Buffalo, NY $200,000.00-$240,000.00 Annually

Salary Range Disclaimer

The base salary range represents the low and high end of the Moog salary range for this position in the given work location. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range(s) listed is just one component of Moog's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, employee stock purchase plan, an open paid time off policy, and many region-specific benefits.

This position requires access to U.S. export-controlled information.

Moog offers an inclusive workplace, and, as such, affirms the right of every person to participate in all aspects of employment based on merit without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, contact our Human Resources department via phone at 844-367-5787.

No unsolicited agency submittals please. Agency partners must be invited to participate in a search by our Talent Acquisition Team and have signed terms in place prior to any submittal. Absent compliance with these pre-conditions resumes submitted directly to any Moog Inc. employee or affiliate will not qualify for fee payment, and therefore become the property of Moog Inc.