Chief Engineer
Leads technical execution for defense autonomy programs on autonomous ground vehicles, owning system architecture, integration across engineering disciplines, risk management, and delivery to government customers. Requires 5+ years in robotics/systems integration and bachelor's in engineering.
About the job
What You'll Do
Program Technical Leadership
- Coordinate the software development lifecycle for integrated vehicle systems
- Define, manage, and own logical and physical system architecture across software and hardware
- Lead technical execution across software, electrical, mechanical, autonomy, systems, and integration
- Manage and mitigate technical and programmatic risks
- Own engineering schedule and alignment with program milestones
- Collaborate with defense customers, partners, and vendors
Systems Engineering & Integration
- Lead system requirements decomposition and interface definitions
- Ensure compliance with standards like MIL-STD-882E, NIST 800-53
- Oversee integration and commissioning of autonomous platforms and weapons payloads
- Coordinate system-level validation, verification, tests, and demos
Cross-Functional Influence
- Operate with full accountability without direct authority
- Resolve technical and organizational conflicts
- Ruthlessly prioritize tasks and resources
- Represent program at technical reviews and stakeholder engagements
Artifact & Compliance Management
- Drive creation of engineering artifacts: requirements, interface documents, compliance packages
- Conduct/supervise integration, verification, validation, and testing
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Software, Mechatronics, Robotics, Aerospace, or similar)
- 5+ years experience in systems integration, robotics, or autonomous vehicles
- Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional engineering teams in high-stakes environments
- Strong background in autonomy, drive-by-wire systems, or related fields
- Ability to obtain Secret clearance
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (M.S., Ph.D.)
- 10+ years experience in systems integration, robotics, or autonomous vehicles
- Experience with DoD robotics/autonomous systems
- Experience in DoD acquisition or military collaboration
Compensation
US Salary Range: $175,000—$235,000 (plus equity and competitive benefits)
Skills
Autonomous Vehicles, Systems Integration, Robotics, Systems Architecture, Software Development Lifecycle, Mil-Std-882E, Nist 800-53, Drive-By-Wire Systems, Cybersecurity, Systems Engineering
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