Chief Engineer

Chief Engineer

Folsom, CA or Reno, NV or Huntsville, AL or Long Beach, CA or Remote

Voyager is an innovative defense, national security and space technology company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, mission-critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets to lead in the race for technological and operational superiority from ground to space.

Forge the Future: Join Voyager Technologies

The future belongs to those who build it. At Voyager Technologies, we're building technologies that protect lives, expand frontiers and prepare us for what's next. And we're doing that with people who are wired to solve, build, adapt and lead. These roles are not for the faint of heart.

You'll help lay the foundation for humanity's future. Join a culture where innovation thrives, curiosity is rewarded, and impact is real. We're a company of doers, thinkers and builders, united by purpose and grounded in reality.

If you want to put your skills to work where the stakes are real and the mission is bigger than any one person, forge the future with Voyager.

The Chief Engineer for Strategic Systems is an autonomous technical leader responsible for the end-to-end mission success of solid rocket propulsion system programs by managing large multidisciplinary teams, overseeing complex systems engineering processes, and aligning technical execution with budgetary and schedule requirements.

The position reports to the Director of Engineering and is part of the Strategic Systems department based in Reno, NV. This role is based in Reno, NV or Folsom, CA or Huntsville, AL or Long Beach, CA or Remote.

In this role, the essential functions are:

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other relevant engineering discipline with 15 years of engineering experience and 5+ years of technical leadership in solid rocket motors (SRMs)
2. Able to direct the end-to-end technical lifecycle of the program by leading cross-functional teams through rigorous design reviews and qualification milestones, ensuring that the final system is producible, compliant with technical data requirements, and balanced against cost and schedule constraints.
3. Able to lead the engineering team in meeting all program milestones by maintaining a rigorous focus on the critical path, proactively deconflicting resources, and driving schedule performance through the aggressive management of task span-times and alternative execution strategies.
4. Demonstrated responsibility in establishing and maintaining lean technical scope baselines by eliminating contingency budgeting, monitoring cost performance indices (CPI) to mitigate variances, and rigorously challenging budget change requests to preserve management reserves through the exploration of alternative technical solutions.
5. Has served as the primary technical spokesperson for a program, managing both internal and external stakeholder relationships by presenting programmatic material, cultivating new business, and ensuring all customer requests remain within authorized scope while providing data-driven technical alternatives for collaborative decision-making.
6. Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level (requires U.S. Citizenship).

Preferred Qualifications:

1. At least four years of experience leading controllable solid rocket propulsion system projects consisting of high-performing multi-disciplinary teams of no less than 10 people
2. Current DoD Secret Security clearance

Travel, Physical and/or Government Mandated Requirements:

• Travel up to 25%, including the possibility of overnights within the vicinity of our site locations or external test facilities
• Ability to lift, move or carry items or equipment up to 50 pounds

The good faith base salary range for this role is $195,000–$250,000 at the time of this posting. Where you fall within the range depends on your experience, skills, and location. This range reflects base salary only and does not include benefits or bonus/incentive. This range may be adjusted in the future.

Voyager offers a highly competitive total compensation package designed to support the well-being, growth, and success of our employees. Employees benefit from a flexible and comprehensive rewards program that supports both professional and personal well-being.

• Flexible Time Off (FTO), empowering employees to take the time they need to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company and many benefits paid at 100% for employees
• Flexible, affordable gym memberships with 12,700+ options nationwide including 24 Hour Fitness, EoS Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Blink Fitness, Chuze Fitness and more! No long term contracts and FREE on-demand workout videos before you enroll
• 401(k) retirement plan with a company match of up to 4% to help you build long-term financial security
• Company wellness programs that support physical and mental well-being
• Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources
• The opportunity to work alongside a highly talented team in an innovative, mission driven environment

Voyager is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.