The Chief Aircraft Engineer, internally referred to as Project Engineer, assumes a leadership role in overseeing the technical performance of the engineering team on the M401 aircraft program, ensuring alignment with program technical objectives while meeting cost and schedule requirements. This individual establishes and maintains adherence to engineering processes throughout the development, modification, and testing phases of the M401 program. The focus of this role is specifically directed toward the ongoing technical and programmatic management of integration and flight test activities.

Category: Engineering

Location: Mojave, CA

Citizenship Required: United States Citizenship

Clearance Type: Secret

Schedule: 9/80 Work Schedule

Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance may be available

Benefits: 100% Paid Benefits and 401k Matching 

Summary: 

Founded by a legendary aircraft designer Our Client is a 41-year-old aerospace company continually working to push boundaries, prove out ideas, and influence the future. We are a rapid prototyping and manufacturing facility, designing, building, and testing proof-of-concept and prototype vehicles. We have flown an average of one new aircraft type per year over our 41-year history such as Proteus, GlobalFlyer, SpaceShipOne, Model 401, and Stratolaunch.

Duties and Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Maintaining technical authority for all aspects of engineering on M401 program elements.
• Providing engineering leadership of system architecture and key vehicle-level trade studies.
• Planning and executing vehicle modifications and payload integrations.
• Maintaining appropriate configuration control and documentation of the aircraft and all technical content.
• Managing the technical performance of the engineering team on M401 program.
• Assisting the Program Manager and Program Business Manager with tracking the status of the program – both cost and schedule.
• Briefing senior management and the customer on project status.
• Providing the technical interface for internal and external customer interaction.
• Working with customers and business development on program bids and proposals.
• Delivering appropriate technical solutions for budget and schedule.
• Mentoring and developing the technical development of associate-level engineers.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or substantial equivalent experience AND 15 years of directly related work experience.
• 7 years of leading/managing in an engineering development environment
• Comprehensive knowledge of the fundamentals of aircraft design, construction, and testing – including aircraft structures, subsystems, and stability and control.
• Experience managing multiple aircraft disciplines, including a familiarity with systems engineering concepts.
• Demonstrates a robust ability to collaborate effectively, navigating and balancing the diverse requirements of customers, engineers, pilots, shop personnel, and management.
• Ability to represent the company with the customer through direct communication.
• Understands the various processes tailored to engineering disciplines.
• Experience and understanding of various tools and techniques associated with cost/schedule management.
• Experience leading efforts through the entire engineering life cycle.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Great verbal and written communication skills. 
• Ability to work autonomy as well as on a team 
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate
• Ability to obtain and maintain DoD Secret Clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in high level technical role on a flying testbed aircraft
• Previous experience in high level technical role on an experimental composite aircraft
• Experience with 14 CFR Part 23 and 25
• Experience with FAA Experimental Aircraft Airworthiness
• Flight test experience
• Rapid prototyping experience
• Pilot’s license
• Aircraft home-building experience
• DoD secret clearance
• Additional degrees or relevant work experience

Essential Functions:

• Requires mobility and the ability to bend and reach 
• May infrequently require lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling materials weighing up to 30 pounds. 
• Manual dexterity and coordination are required; repetitive hand motion (e.g., to operate computer keyboard) 
• Vision at close distances and the ability to adjust focus for prolonged periods (i.e., computer screen)
• Ability to remain sedentary or stationary for prolonged periods of time 
• Ability to write for extended periods of time 
• Ability to work in an office setting for prolonged periods of time
• May be asked to carry up to 20 lbs. up and down a flight of stairs on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, etc. 
• Occasional reaching overhead and lifting up to 15 pounds
• Ability to converse and communicate information with others
• Occasional exposure to chemical vapors and/or fumes in low non-hazardous concentration
• Potential to climb up and down steps on a daily basis
• Must be able to read and understand SDS