Chief Engineer

Chief Engineer

We are a company of innovators, thinkers, creators, explorers, volunteers, and dreamers. We share one goal: to improve the world responsibly and safely.

In this role, you will shape the department’s efficiency, influence how flight hardware projects are executed, and support engineering staff in analyzing, investigating, and resolving routine to emergent engineering issues. You will provide technical guidance for interface between project teams and NASA technical teams.

• Serve as the primary technical advisor to the Engineering Department, leveraging your technical knowledge to drive flight hardware projects to successful outcomes
• Develop and modify engineering processes in coordination with the Department Manager, Deputy Department Manager for Flight Hardware, and Functional Managers
• Collaborate with Flight Hardware Discipline Leads for the development and administration of training to ensure consistency across the Flight Hardware teams
• Train/coach best practices for fully informed decision making, mentor Flight Hardware project technical teams, and apply lessons learned and engineering lifecycle per EA-023 and SA‑WI‑014
• Identify and resolve technical conflicts and synergies between engineering teams
• Support HHPC2 and Engineering Department strategic planning and business development opportunities
• Lead flight hardware readiness, risk evaluation, and technical disposition activities, including chairing Test Readiness Reviews, advising technical risk decisions, and providing final approval of waivers, deviations, and nonconformances
• Identify investments in engineering infrastructure that align with the customer base’s strategic objectives
• Support corrective and preventive actions, closure actions, and implementation of lessons learned from contract performance evaluations
• Guide root‑cause analysis, resolution, and systems updates to prevent repeat occurrences

Strong foundation in systems thinking rooted in NASA systems engineering principles, extensive experience in flight hardware development, mentoring engineers across disciplines, root‑cause analysis, continuous improvement initiatives, and collaboration with peer managers. Professional judgment, adherence to K ’s Safety, Health and Environmental Plan, and completion of all required training.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field
• 17+ years of applicable professional experience, including at least 10 years in hardware development; experience supporting NASA flight hardware projects is highly preferred
• Familiarity with NASA contracts and processes desired

• Experience working projects in accordance with EA‑023, Project Management for the Engineering Directorate, and/or SA‑WI‑014
• Experience with engineering project management, development, design, and execution under the Human and Health Performance Contract 2 highly desirable
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills; ability to tailor technical concepts to technical and non‑technical audiences
• Familiarity with project management and system engineering practices
• Demonstrated engineering leadership with commitment to safety, quality, and collaboration across complex technical projects
• Experience with root‑cause analysis and preventive actions for systemic issues
• Familiarity with Lean and Six Sigma concepts

This position is expected to be 100% on site.

K  offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits, which could include a 401(k) plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or a flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

K  is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.