Chief Engineer III

CrossFire Group

New Hudson, MI

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$145,000–$196,000 Per Year
SKILLS
Aerospace and Defense, Architectural Design, Business Development, Control Systems, Cross-Functional, Customer Satisfaction, Electricity, Fire Suppression/Control, Leadership, Mentoring, Multiplatform/Cross-Platform, Product Development, Product Lifecycle, Product Reviews, Profit & Loss, Programming Tools, Proposal Development, Propulsion, Risk Management, Safety Systems, Security Clearance, System Architecture, System Integration (SI), Systems Engineering, Team Building, Team Lead/Manager, Technical Leadership, Technical Presentation, Technical Strategy, Validation Testing, Willing to Travel, Work From Home
LOCATION
New Hudson, MI
POSTED
1 day ago
Chief Engineer III
Location: New Hudson, Michigan

Salary range: $145-196k, no relocation package, 10-15% annual bonus

Overview
Our client, a leader in advanced defense innovation, is seeking a Chief Engineer III to support cutting-edge vehicle and system development programs. This role serves as a technical leader and specialty authority, driving execution across complex engineering programs while aligning solutions to customer needs and strategic objectives.
This is a high-impact leadership role with responsibility for both project delivery and team development, ideal for someone with deep defense expertise and a strong systems mindset.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead engineering execution across programs, ensuring quality, timing, technical accuracy, and profitability
  • Serve as a technical authority in specialized defense systems (i.e., lethality and survivability technologies)
  • Support business development efforts including opportunity evaluation, proposal development, and customer engagement
  • Provide leadership and mentorship to engineering teams, including direct reports
  • Oversee system architecture, design reviews, and product development lifecycle activities
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to resolve engineering challenges and ensure successful test and validation outcomes
  • Drive system-level thinking across vehicle platforms, including propulsion, energy, and integrated subsystems
  • Identify and mitigate technical risks and ensure customer satisfaction throughout program execution
  • Present technical strategies and solutions to internal leadership and external stakeholders
  • Support resource planning, hiring efforts, and long-term capability development
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related engineering discipline (required)
  • 15+ years of experience in the defense industry
  • Strong background in defense systems with emphasis on lethality and survivability technologies
  • Experience managing or leading engineering teams in complex programs
  • Deep understanding of defense contracts and program execution
  • Proven experience in systems engineering, integration, and validation
  • Ability to obtain or hold a U.S. security clearance
Preferred Experience
  • Expertise in areas such as weapon systems, fire control systems, combat vehicles, or battlefield systems
  • Experience with full vehicle development including chassis, propulsion, and energy systems
  • Background in testing, validation, and safety-critical systems
  • Familiarity with hybrid/electrical architectures and modern vehicle platforms
  • Experience working with lean product development tools and processes
Work Environment & Travel
  • Primarily onsite role due to nature of the work; occasional flexibility for remote work as needed
  • Approximately 10–15% travel, primarily local customer engagement
Compensation & Benefits
  • Salary range: $145,000 – $196,000
  • Annual bonus potential: 10–15%
  • No relocation assistance available

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About the Company

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CrossFire Group