Chief Engineer

Pay Rate: $145-196k, no relocation package, 10-15% annual bonus
Work Mode: 100% onsite strongly preferred due to the type of work performed and projects worked on. Occasional WFH is ok based on business needs.
Location: New Hudson, MI

Summary:

• Perm Position

Responsibilities:

• Assist in market intelligence, customer lead generation, scope meetings, opportunity evaluation, and leading proposal efforts.
• Oversee the engineering execution of projects, ensuring technical approach, customer satisfaction, quality, timing, and profitability.
• Lead and mentor engineering teams, fostering growth and team development.
• Plan and formulate engineering programs, reviewing product designs for compliance with engineering principles, company standards, and customer requirements.
• Approve design changes, specifications, and drawing releases.
• Coordinate technical development, scheduling, and resolve engineering design and testing challenges.
• Lead the identification of electrical and hybrid vehicle technical architectures and system partitioning.
• Develop SWOT analyses and identify competitive advantages, proposing company solutions based on market needs.
• Integrate engineering best practices across the organization.
• Present technical capabilities and solutions to management, customers, and partners.
• Ensure alignment of project solutions with broader organizational goals, industry roadmaps, and emerging technologies.
• Set technical objectives, resolve conflicts, and make decisions based on trade studies and requirements.
• Coordinate resource forecasting, program management, and recruiting efforts.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks to customer satisfaction and project deliverables.
• Lead internal and external technical communications to keep projects on track.
• Oversee financials and ensure project profitability.
• Manage customer relationships, provide status updates, and ensure on-time deliverables.
• Offer feedback on customer needs and continuous process improvements.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in the Defense industry.
• Experience with lethality and survivability systems is strongly preferred.
• Must understand defense contracts.
• BS or MS in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or a similar engineering discipline.
• Ability to obtain Security Clearance.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in full vehicle design and development, including chassis systems, propulsion, and energy systems.
• Expertise in testing, evaluation, and verification/validation of vehicle systems.
• Strong technical background with a deep understanding of system engineering, systems safety, and safety-critical software.
• Familiarity with the lean product development process, including CAE tools and optimization.
• Experience in test and evaluation, including developmental and integrated verification strategies.
• Hands-on experience in maintaining and repairing systems in the field is an advantage.
• Knowledge of functional safety systems, associated software, and architecture leadership.
• Familiarity with industry standards and the ability to build team capabilities.
• Solid understanding of vehicle architecture and integration of subsystems.
• Expertise in specific areas such as Weapon Systems, Combat Vehicle Engineering, Fire Control Systems, Turrets and Ammo Handling Systems, Virtual Environments and Battlefield Systems, Defense AI and Software.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to communicate strategic vision and convert it into actionable operational plans.

Benefits:

• Opportunities for growth through business unit alignment, increased direct reports, and strategic partnerships.