What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Engineer System Integration position at Karman Space & Defense?
Summary
We are seeking a Chief Engineer – System Integration to serve as the program-level authority for the integration of mechanical and electrical subsystems within munition development programs. This individual will take mission-level requirements and translate them into system requirements and boundaries, define subsystem allocations, and ensure that integration risks are identified and mitigated early. The Chief Engineer will have formal responsibility for sign-off of system-level requirements, interface control documents, and system-level testing, ensuring cohesive operation across all subsystems. This is a hands-on role in a small company environment, with direct engagement in architecture, interface definition, and test planning.
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
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.
We are seeking a Chief Engineer – System Integration to serve as the program-level authority for the integration of mechanical and electrical subsystems within munition development programs. This individual will take mission-level requirements and translate them into system requirements and boundaries, define subsystem allocations, and ensure that integration risks are identified and mitigated early. The Chief Engineer will have formal responsibility for sign-off of system-level requirements, interface control documents, and system-level testing, ensuring cohesive operation across all subsystems. This is a hands-on role in a small company environment, with direct engagement in architecture, interface definition, and test planning.
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*
- Translate program-level mission requirements into system requirements and allocate to subsystems.
- Define system boundaries, interface requirements, and integration strategies for mechanical and electrical systems.
- Oversee and coordinate subsystem development across multiple programs, ensuring alignment with system-level objectives.
- Identify, track, and mitigate integration risks during design, build, and test phases.
- Review, approve, and formally sign off on system-level requirements, interface control documents, and test results.
- Lead cross-disciplinary technical discussions to resolve integration issues and maintain program schedule and performance.
- Mentor subsystem engineers and other team members on integration principles and best practices.
- Act as the authoritative point of contact for system integration issues both internally and with external partners.
- 15 years of relevant experience in systems engineering, integration, and program-level oversight, preferably in missile or aerospace systems.
- Hands-on experience with mechanical and electrical system integration; familiarity with avionics/software systems is a plus.
- Proven experience deriving system requirements from mission-level objectives and allocating to subsystems.
- Strong technical judgment, problem-solving, and risk management skills.
- Prior roles such as Systems Engineer, Integration Lead, or Chief Engineer on complex programs are highly relevant.
- Active security clearance required.
- BS or MS in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or Systems Engineering (preferred but flexible based on experience).
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
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.
Salary : $165,000 - $220,000
