Chief Engineer – Undersea Systems; Defense Programs

Chief Engineer – Undersea Systems (Defense Programs)

Northampton, Massachusetts (Onsite)
Relocation assistance available

A leading defense technology organization is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead the engineering execution of a portfolio of advanced maritime and undersea sensing systems supporting critical national security missions.

This is a rare opportunity to operate as a technical executive
, not just a functional engineering manager. You will own engineering performance across multiple programs — including technical delivery, schedule execution, and cost performance — while partnering directly with business leadership and customers.

If you've ever wanted to move from program execution into true technical leadership influence
, this is that role.

You will lead the engineering strategy and execution for a portfolio of maritime imaging and sensing systems spanning submarine, surface vessel, and unmanned platforms.

• Lead a ~100-person cross-functional engineering organization
• Manage and mentor multiple Program/Chief Engineers
• Own engineering delivery performance (technical, cost, and schedule)
• Guide programs from proposal and development through production and sustainment
• Partner directly with the Business Unit General Manager
• Support proposal strategy, technical reviews, and customer engagements
• Oversee staffing plans and resource allocation across a matrix organization
• Review and approve engineering Estimates-to-Complete (ETC)
• Drive root cause corrective actions and continuous improvement
• Ensure smooth transition from development programs into production
• Present technical status and risk assessments to senior stakeholders

This role sits at the intersection of systems engineering, program leadership, and business operations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Masters or MBA preferred)
• 10+ years of experience leading cross-functional engineering teams
• Experience leading large engineering teams (40+ engineers)
• Prior leadership within a defense or government program environment
• Experience transitioning development programs to production
• Integrated Product Team (IPT) or Program Chief Engineer experience
• Familiarity with EVMS, CAM, risk management, and program metrics
• Experience supporting proposals or technical volume development
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance (U.S. citizenship required)

• Undersea, maritime, sensing, imaging, sonar, radar, or optical systems
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
• Design for Manufacturability (DfM) / Design for Excellence (DfX)
• Fixed-price development programs
• DoD development programs
• Leading engineering organizations in matrixed environments

This is not a pure design role and not a pure management role.

You will:

• Influence product direction and technical strategy
• Shape engineering culture and processes
• Partner with executive leadership
• Lead programs that move into real-world operational deployment

Your decisions will directly impact deployed systems, not just internal products.

Onsite in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Relocation support is available.

Systems Engineering | Chief Engineer | IPT Lead | EVMS | CAM | DoD Programs | Defense Engineering | Maritime Systems | Undersea Systems | Sonar | Radar | Optical Systems | Production Transition | Engineering Leadership | Program Execution | MBSE | Technical Leadership | Defense Technology

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