Vice President, Engineering

Company Overview:

VALT Enterprizes, Inc. is revolutionizing aerospace with cutting-edge hypersonic research and development to pioneer America’s first-of-its-kind hypersonic launch system, combining rocket and air-breathing propulsion to empower our nation’s warfighters with the tools they need to safeguard our country. We envision a world where access to space is no longer a privilege for the few but an opportunity for all. Our team is driven by data, fueled by passion, and united by a shared commitment to innovation and resilience. Challenges are embraced head-on in a culture that values creativity, determination, and collaboration. Join us in shaping the future of aerospace and making history – together.

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Vice President (VP), Engineering to provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and technical oversight for VALT's multidisciplinary engineering department. In this role, you will lead engineering disciplines including aerospace, rocket propulsion, mechanical, electrical, materials, quality, and additional engineering functions while overseeing the research, development, integration, and testing of advanced hypersonic and aerospace systems.

Reporting directly to the President/CEO, you will work closely with executive leadership, manufacturing, flight operations, business development, government and commercial customers, and cross-functional partners. You will lead and develop engineering leaders and teams, establish engineering strategy, technical standards, organizational priorities, and resource plans, and drive accountability for engineering execution across company programs. You will be responsible for building, scaling, and developing a high-performing engineering department while remaining actively engaged in critical technical decisions, advancing VALT's long-term technical capabilities, and positioning the company for continued growth across defense R&D and commercial aerospace markets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for VALT's multidisciplinary engineering department, ensuring alignment with company objectives, program commitments, and long-term growth initiatives
• Lead and oversee engineering disciplines including aerospace, rocket propulsion, mechanical, electrical, materials, quality, and additional engineering functions as the organization continues to grow
• Develop and execute the engineering department's long-term strategy, organizational priorities, and engineering roadmap to support defense R&D programs and commercial aerospace initiatives
• Oversee engineering execution across company programs, balancing technical priorities, resources, schedules, budgets, quality, risk, and customer commitments
• Establish engineering governance, technical standards, processes, and best practices while providing executive oversight of major technical decisions, engineering risks, and program performance, ensuring compliance with applicable customer requirements, industry standards, and government regulations
• Oversee the research, design, development, integration, testing, and validation of advanced hypersonic and aerospace systems, driving accountability for technical milestones, engineering deliverables, and program execution
• Direct engineering resource planning, staffing strategies, and departmental budgets to support multiple concurrent programs and continued organizational growth
• Establish engineering goals and performance metrics while communicating department performance, technical risks, resource requirements, and organizational needs to executive leadership
• Collaborate with executive leadership, government and commercial customers, and key external stakeholders to align engineering strategies, technical priorities, and program execution with organizational objectives and customer requirements
• Drive collaboration across engineering disciplines and partner with manufacturing, flight operations, and other cross-functional teams to support integrated program execution
• Provide executive-level technical leadership during critical design reviews, major proposal efforts, and strategic technical discussions with customers and industry partners
• Champion technical innovation, emerging technologies, and continuous improvement initiatives to advance engineering capabilities, strengthen competitive positioning, and support long-term organizational growth
• Build, mentor, and develop engineering leaders and teams while supporting succession planning, workforce development, and continued growth of the engineering department

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution; advanced degree preferred
• 15 years of progressively responsible engineering experience within aerospace, defense, advanced R&D, or a related high-technology environment, including substantial leadership experience overseeing multidisciplinary engineering organizations, senior technical leaders, and complex engineering programs
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering directors, managers, principal engineers, and multidisciplinary technical teams
• Extensive knowledge of complex aerospace and defense systems, including propulsion technologies, systems integration, testing, and multidisciplinary engineering principles
• Demonstrated experience leading the research, design, development, integration, testing, and transition of complex aerospace or defense systems throughout the engineering lifecycle
• Proven experience developing and executing engineering strategies, organizational priorities, workforce plans, technology roadmaps, and department growth initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to provide executive-level engineering leadership while remaining actively engaged in complex technical problem-solving, engineering decision-making, and research and development activities within a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Experience establishing engineering governance, technical standards, organizational processes, and best practices that promote technical excellence, quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement
• Extensive knowledge of systems engineering principles, engineering lifecycle management, technical risk management, verification and validation, and configuration management
• Experience managing engineering resources, staffing, departmental budgets, and multiple concurrent engineering programs
• Working knowledge of government contracting environments, Department of Defense (DoD) program requirements, and applicable aerospace and defense regulations, including FAR and DFARS
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex technical challenges and make sound engineering and organizational decisions while balancing technical, schedule, resource, customer, and business priorities
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills with the ability to effectively engage executive leadership, customers, government representatives, industry partners, and multidisciplinary engineering teams
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret-level security clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution
• Prior executive leadership experience within a high-growth aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or R&D organization
• Direct experience leading or overseeing the development of advanced hypersonic systems, propulsion systems, or next-generation aerospace technologies
• Experience working directly with Department of Defense (DoD) customers, government agencies, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), or commercial aerospace organizations
• Demonstrated experience scaling engineering departments, developing engineering leaders, and supporting organizational growth within rapidly evolving technical environments
• Experience leading major technical proposal efforts, strategic technology planning, and government contract pursuits
• Active U.S. Secret-level security clearance or higher

Work Location:

This position will be based in Presque Isle, Maine.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• 90% employer-paid comprehensive health benefits
• 4% 401(k) match
• Employee stock option program
• Flexible working schedule
• Relocation assistance
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement
• Exciting and challenging work environment

Join us in shaping the future of hypersonic flight and leading the development of next-generation aerospace systems. If you are an accomplished engineering executive passionate about building high-performing teams, advancing cutting-edge aerospace technologies, and driving technical excellence, we encourage you to apply today.

VALT Enterprizes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected status under applicable law.