Senior Chief Engineer, Defense Vehicle Systems

Zobility; Michigan; On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

401k

Short-term disability

AD&D

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Zobility in Michigan seeks a Chief Engineer to lead defense-focused engineering programs, align with business units, and grow teams. You will report to the Defense Technical Director and drive profitability while ensuring customer satisfaction.

The role requires deep systems engineering expertise, experience with vehicle architectures, and the ability to manage ambiguity. Travel may be required; security clearance is obtainable.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in the Defense industry.
• Experience in full vehicle design, including chassis, propulsion, and energy systems.
• Ability to obtain Security Clearance.
• Expertise in testing, evaluation, and verification of vehicle systems.
• Familiarity with lean product development and CAE tools.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Assist in market intelligence, lead generation, scope meetings, opportunity evaluation, and leading proposal efforts.
• Oversee the engineering execution of projects, ensuring technical approach, customer satisfaction, quality, timing, and profitability.
• Lead and mentor engineering teams, fostering growth and team development.
• Plan and formulate engineering programs, reviewing product designs for compliance with engineering principles, company standards, and customer requirements.
• Approve design changes, specifications, and drawing releases.
• Coordinate technical development, scheduling, and resolve engineering design and testing challenges.
• Lead the identification of electrical and hybrid vehicle technical architectures and system partitioning.
• Develop SWOT analyses and identify competitive advantages, proposing PM solutions based on market needs.
• Integrate engineering best practices across the organization.
• Present technical capabilities and solutions to management, customers, and partners.
• Ensure alignment of project solutions with broader organizational goals, industry roadmaps, and emerging technologies.
• Set technical objectives, resolve conflicts, and make decisions based on trade studies and requirements.
• Coordinate resource forecasting, program management, and recruiting efforts.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks to customer satisfaction and project deliverables.
• Lead internal and external technical communications to keep projects on track.
• Oversee financials and ensure project profitability.
• Manage customer relationships, provide status updates, and ensure on-time deliverables.
• Offer feedback on customer needs and continuous process improvements.

Skills

Systems engineering

Security clearance

Defense industry experience

Vehicle design

Leadership

Project management

Lethality & survivability

Education

BS/MS in Mechanical/Electrical/Aerospace engineering

Tools

CAE tools

MS Office

Job description

Zobility in Michigan seeks a Chief Engineer to lead defense-focused engineering programs, align with business units, and grow teams. You will report to the Defense Technical Director and drive profitability while ensuring customer satisfaction.

The role requires deep systems engineering expertise, experience with vehicle architectures, and the ability to manage ambiguity. Travel may be required; security clearance is obtainable.