Chief Engineer - Aerospace

Chief Engineer – Aerospace Systems

Connecticut | Relocation Assistance Available

An innovative aerospace organization is seeking an accomplished Chief Engineer to lead the development of advanced aerospace platforms from concept through production. This confidential opportunity offers the chance to provide executive-level technical leadership while guiding the design, integration, testing, and delivery of highly engineered aerospace products supporting commercial and government customers.

As the senior engineering leader, you will establish the technical vision, lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, and oversee every phase of the product lifecycle—from system architecture and detailed design through integration, verification, testing, and production. This role offers significant influence over technology strategy, engineering excellence, and organizational growth.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for complex aerospace development programs from concept through production.

• Define system architecture, engineering strategy, and long-term product development roadmaps.

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams including aerospace, mechanical, electrical, avionics, systems, manufacturing, and test engineering.

• Direct the design, integration, and validation of advanced aerospace platforms and mission-critical systems.

• Oversee aircraft structures, systems integration, flight controls, propulsion integration, aerodynamics, and supporting subsystems.

• Guide prototype development, laboratory testing, ground testing, flight testing, verification, and validation activities.

• Establish and maintain engineering best practices, including design reviews, configuration management, technical risk management, and quality standards.

• Serve as the primary technical liaison with customers, suppliers, government agencies, and strategic partners.

• Mentor engineering managers and technical staff while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Partner with executive leadership to align engineering initiatives with business objectives and future growth.

Qualifications

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

• 15+ years of progressive aerospace engineering experience with increasing technical and organizational leadership responsibilities.

• Demonstrated success leading the development of complex aerospace products from concept through testing and production.

• Strong expertise in aircraft design, structural development, systems integration, aerodynamics, propulsion integration, flight controls, and product validation.

• Experience integrating avionics, electrical systems, communications, navigation, sensors, propulsion, and other critical aircraft systems.

• Proven success leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations and large-scale product development efforts.

• Strong understanding of systems engineering, verification and validation, configuration management, and engineering development processes.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills with the ability to work effectively across engineering, operations, executive leadership, customers, and government stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with unmanned aircraft, autonomous systems, or other advanced aerospace technologies.

• Experience supporting defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated engineering programs.

• Familiarity with FAA, military, or other aerospace certification and airworthiness requirements.

• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).

• Knowledge of AS9100 quality systems and engineering best practices.

Why This Opportunity?

This is a unique opportunity to shape the technical direction of a growing aerospace organization developing next-generation flight technologies. The successful candidate will have significant influence over engineering strategy, product innovation, and organizational success while leading an experienced multidisciplinary engineering team through the development of complex aerospace systems.

Position Details

• Full-time, onsite leadership role

• Located in Connecticut

• Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate

• Competitive compensation, performance incentives, and comprehensive benefits