Chief Engineer

5 days ago

San Luis Obispo, California, United States Executive Recruiting Full time

This role is focused on design leadership and ideal for an engineer who has personally developed and led aircraft configuration from concept through flight. The right candidate will have a deep, practical understanding of how to integrate systems, structure, and aerodynamics into a unified, certifiable, and manufacturable vehicle.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead the aircraft-level configuration design and integration, ensuring spatial harmony, functional packaging, and optimal vehicle architecture.
  • Own the vehicle layout, including system installation concepts, structure interfaces, and mass property targets, through all design phases.
  • Direct and guide the hands-on design process, working closely with engineers using CAD and PLM tools, ensuring technical integrity and manufacturability.
  • Develop and maintain configuration baselines through concept, detailed design, build, and flight test phases.
  • Coordinate across disciplines (structures, systems, propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing) to ensure cohesive, integrated solutions.
  • Lead and contribute to trade studies, configuration updates, and design reviews at the aircraft level.
  • Drive the design toward certification readiness, collaborating with airworthiness and compliance teams under emerging standards.
  • Mentor engineers in aircraft integration fundamentals, practical design tradeoffs, and design-for-buildability principles.
  • Represent the technical design intent to leadership, partners, and suppliers with a clear focus on system-level functionality and design rationale.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
  • 15+ years of hands-on aircraft development experience, with significant time spent in configuration, integration, or vehicle layout roles.
  • Proven record of leading the design of at least one aircraft from concept through flight (prototype or certified).
  • Deep understanding of aircraft-level design integration — including packaging, structural interfaces, system routing, and aerodynamic considerations.
  • Hands-on experience with CAD tools such as CATIA V5/V6 or NX, and proficiency in managing vehicle layouts and mass properties.
  • Strong system-level engineering judgment with the ability to balance technical, manufacturing, and certification constraints.
  • Working understanding of airworthiness standards (Part 23/27/29 or equivalent) with practical, design-based certification experience preferred over heavy documentation experience.
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to lead cross-disciplinary engineering efforts in a collaborative environment.

Preferred Experience:

  • Experience developing eVTOL, hybrid-electric, or unconventional aircraft architectures.
  • Background in prototype development and experimental aircraft design, including iterative configuration maturation.
  • Experience integrating electric propulsion systems, battery or hybrid energy systems, and distributed propulsion concepts.
  • Comfortable working in an R&D and development-oriented environment where engineers design, test, and iterate rapidly.
  • Passion for creating elegantly simple, efficient, and safe flying machines.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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