Chief Engineer- Mechanisms

Summary

We are seeking a Chief Engineer to serve as a company-wide authority for the mechanical and structural design of mechanisms. This role combines deep technical ownership with program­ level leadership: guiding requirements interpretation, tailoring standards and processes to program needs, and actively managing risk. The Chief Engineer will ensure that pyrotechnic devices - including cutters, initiators, separation joints, and energetically actuated release systems - are safe, robust, producible, and compliant.

This is both a technical and leadership role: driving designs from CAD to qualification, mentoring engineers, and representing engineering decisions to program managers, customers, and safety boards.

About Us

Karman Space & Defense provides concept-to-production solutions for mission-critical systems on spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, hypersonics, and integrated defense systems. We believe that solving the industry’s most complex and mission-critical challenges requires relentless determination and a willingness to push the boundaries of possibility. Karman Space & Defense brings to bear unparalleled production capabilities, unmatched engineering expertise, and unflinching analysis to render the impossible, possible.

Compensation & Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement*
  
  

What You Will Do

• Lead development of pyrotechnic mechanisms (initiation systems, separation systems, release devices, cutters, etc) from conceptual design through qualification and low-rate production.
• Translate system-level requirements into mechanical/structural solutions.
• Identify implied and derived requirements early to prevent scope creep and misinterpretation.
• Develop and enforce design guidelines, analysis methodologies, and test plans to ensure robustness and repeatability of pyrotechnic devices.
• Define DFM/DFA practices and ensure manufacturability with suppliers and internal manufacturing teams.
• Provide hands-on oversight during build, test, qualification, and flight operations of energetic systems.
• Own technical risk management for pyrotechnic hardware: identify key risks (design, materials, manufacturing, testing), maintain risk registers, and drive mitigation actions.
• Tailor standards, processes, and qualification approaches to program needs - balancing rigor, cost, and schedule while maintaining compliance.
• Lead design and safety reviews, documenting rationale for tailoring and maintaining alignment with customer and regulatory expectations.
• Support proposal efforts by defining scope, risk, and technical approach for new business opportunities.
• Represent mechanisms engineering in customer meetings, technical interchange meetings (TIMs), and safety boards.
• Mentor and develop engineers, growing in-house expertise in mechanism design and pyrotechnics.
  
  

What We Are Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering field (Master's or PhD preferred)
• 15 years of experience in the design and qualification of mechanisms in aerospace, defense, or related industries.
• Proven record of leading multidisciplinary teams and serving as a technical authority.
• Demonstrated expertise in safety and compliance for energetics handling, storage, and testing.
• Strong familiarity with DoD and NASA regulations governing energetic systems.
• Hands-on experience with test planning, execution, and data reduction.
• Excellent communication skills; capable of representing the company to customers, suppliers, and regulators.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with system integration into spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, or defense systems.
• Knowledge of alternative actuation systems (e.g., SMAs, EEDs, mechanical devices) to enable trade studies.
• Active DoD Secret (or higher) clearance, or ability to obtain one.
  
  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Karman is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to race; color; religion; genetic information; national origin; sex; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; disability; citizenship status; uniform servicemember status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.