Program Chief Engineer- Onsite

Responsibilities

• Direct all phases of programs from inception through completion while meeting schedule and budget.
• Plan, oversee, and coordinate administrative and operational aspects of ongoing projects within program guidelines.
• Liaise between project management, planning, project teams, and line management.
• Monitor and assess project issues and develop resolutions to meet productivity, quality, and customer‑satisfaction goals.
• Direct the work of employees assigned to projects in technical and administrative areas.
• Establish design concepts, criteria, and engineering efforts for product research, development, integration, and testing.
• Manage the technical performance of a program team that may include multiple small programs (5–10) or a larger program (20–40).
• Prepare and maintain project plans, budgets, and staffing requirements to ensure all action‑item lists are completed and quality expectations met.
• Lead a cross‑functional team of engineers (mechanical, electrical, systems, and software) empowering them to deliver innovative, high‑quality solutions.
• Understand customer technical requirements and oversee transfer of lowest level requirements into development and test for prototype and customer deliveries.
• Drive project schedules to keep programs running efficiently, tracking budget and schedule commitments.
• Manage project including tracking and reporting on budget and schedule performance through Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) techniques.
• Interface with management, suppliers, customers, and members of the technical design team.
• Provide timely and effective communication to management and customers.
• Engage in engineering activities associated with design, development, procurement, and testing.
• Lead technology development programs guiding products through Technology Readiness Level process.
• Lead test activities to prove out components and/or understand issues.
• Benchmark similar hardware and review customer needs to strategically drive system and hardware development.
• Ensure excellence in engineering and technology.
• Typically assigned one to two small projects at a time, and/or supporting a large program.
• Typically lead a large program or several complex small/medium projects at a time.
• Most projects are half‑year to several years in duration; exact knowledge, skill set, and team size vary from project to project.

• Typically requires a STEM degree and a minimum of 10 years of prior relevant experience, or an advanced degree in a related field and a minimum of 7 years of experience.
• Able to communicate and make presentations to senior‑level leadership.
• Proven experience leading large engineering programs or major technical efforts.
• Extensive experience in systems and hardware engineering throughout the lifecycle, including architecture, design, integration, verification, and validation.
• Active, transferable U.S. government‑issued Secret security clearance required prior to start date.
• U.S. citizenship required (only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance).

• Active TOP SECRET clearance.
• Progressive leadership in the design, development, test, and integration of electromechanical assemblies with embedded software.
• Experience using Agile methodologies for hardware and software development.
• Prior cost account manager experience.
• Experience navigating competing priorities, delivering high engagement, and achieving successful outcomes in critical situations.
• Experience leading projects and teams within a highly matrixed organization.
• Understanding of the configuration management process.
• Strong project‑management skills using MS Office, MS Project, and EVMS.
• Ability to identify risks early and mitigate them with senior‑leadership support.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees.
• Generous 401(k) plan with employer matching funds and a separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Student loan repayment program.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Optional coverage: pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident…