CHIEF ENGINEER

Job Description

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Chief Engineer
DEPARTMENT: Engineering
REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

Primary Function

Platform Aerospace is seeking a highly motivated and talented individual to join our team as Chief Engineer. As a leading provider of ultra-long-endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Platform Aerospace has established a strong presence in the aerospace industry, including partnerships with key organizations in the defense sector.

The Chief Engineer reports directly to the CEO and is accountable for establishing and controlling technical milestones, engineering quality standards, and the performance of multiple engineering disciplines, projects, and activities. This position serves as the senior technical leader responsible for guiding engineering strategy, product development, and execution across the organization.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Manage the resources and processes required to design, develop, and support all engineering products and services.
• Provide technical leadership and expertise in aerospace systems and carbon fiber aircraft technologies.
• Ensure engineering department leads are aligned with funded programs and support cost estimation for proposed programs.
• Plan and coordinate engineering staffing, budgets, and task assignments.
• Mentor, train, and develop engineering personnel and leadership teams.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate with the executive team and senior leadership to ensure Engineering outputs align with the company's strategic vision and technology roadmap.
• Collaborate with the Chief Technology Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Production, and Director of Operations to establish long-range operating and manufacturing goals.
• Serve as the senior technical leader across all engineering disciplines.
• Lead the development of new products from concept and prototype through testing and production-ready manufacturing release.
• Coordinate with Operations to ensure engineering activities remain within budget, meet delivery schedules, and achieve required performance and quality standards.
• Operate within the AS9100 Quality Management System (QMS) and drive continuous improvement of engineering processes and procedures.
• Participate in program kickoff meetings, including review of contract requirements, statements of work, budgets, schedules, milestones, and deliverables.
• Validate integrated system designs through engineering analysis, testing, and documentation.
• Ensure engineering supervisors and staff perform work within approved scope, schedule, and budget constraints.
• Support technical reviews, design reviews, and strategic planning activities.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and 15+ years of relevant experience; or
  • Master's degree in a STEM field and 10+ years of relevant experience; or
  • Ph.D. in a STEM field and 10+ years of related experience.
• 10+ years of experience leading and managing technical teams.
• Demonstrated leadership, team-building, and organizational management skills.
• Strong engineering background with proven experience leading products through design, development, testing, and production.
• Extensive experience executing engineering processes and managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to build consensus, resolve conflicts, and drive organizational alignment.
• Excellent people-management and supervisory skills.
• Strong presentation and executive communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Extensive technical knowledge of engineering principles and product development.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with CAD software.
• Program management experience.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, UAS, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading the development and production of composite aircraft systems.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality standards and aerospace certification processes.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds on occasion.
• Ability to traverse office, manufacturing, and testing facilities as required.