Skip to content
ForterraForterraArlington, VA

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.

175k – 235k/yr
On-site5+ YOEEngineering Management

About the role

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 VehiclesSystems IntegrationRoboticsSystems ArchitectureSoftware Development LifecycleMil-Std-882ENist 800-53Drive-By-Wire SystemsCybersecuritySystems Engineering

Similar roles

Engineering Management jobs
Shield AI

Chief Engineer, Autonomy (R4614)

Shield AIWashington, DC +2

Leads engineering team as Chief Engineer to develop and deploy Hivemind autonomy solutions on unmanned aircraft systems for DoD contracts. Requires 10+ years in autonomy/UAS, expertise in robotics stack, GNC, and leadership of technical teams.

200k – 300k/yr
On-site10+ YOEEngineering Management
Shield AI

Chief Engineer, Autonomy

Shield AIWashington, DC +1

Lead technical execution and architecture for Shield AI's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) autonomy program, overseeing development, integration, flight test, and operational deployment of mission-ready autonomous systems.

205k – 307k/yr
On-site15+ YOEEngineering Management
Skyways

Chief Technology Officer

SkywaysAustin, TX

Leads engineering across autonomy, software, hardware, and systems integration for scaling a working aircraft prototype into reliable production. Owns technical decisions, team scaling, and cross-functional collaboration with ops and manufacturing.

Salary not listed
On-siteEngineering Management
Projecthealthyminds

VP of Development

ProjecthealthymindsNew York, NY

Leads nonprofit fundraising operations, builds and manages development team, crafts multi-year strategy, and secures major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Requires 15+ years nonprofit fundraising experience, bachelor's degree, and management skills.

175k – 250k/yr
On-site15+ YOEEngineering Management
Neon Health

VP of Engineering

Neon HealthSan Francisco, CA

Leads engineering team to execute product delivery at startup speed, recruits top talent, scales infrastructure, and aligns with business goals in enterprise SaaS/AI startup. Requires proven leadership in high-growth environments.

211k – 260k/yr
On-siteEngineering Management