Launch Vehicle Chief Engineer

General information

Requisition #

R69334

Locations

USA-FL-Cape Canaveral

Posting Date

07/16/2026

Security Clearance Required

Secret

Remote Type

Onsite

Time Type

Full time

Description & Requirements

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MANTECH seeks a highly talented Chief Engineer with skills, background, and experience related to Launch Vehicle (LV) systems, project management, and software productivity tool use, to help the Space Force redefine the future of National Security Space Launch (NSSL). This position is based out of Cape Canaveral, FL.

This position will support the United States Space Force (USSF) System Delta 80 New Entrant Launch Operations Division and the launch services they procure.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide senior LV systems engineering expertise at our Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL customer site. Areas of expertise include a combination of Propulsion, Avionics, Structures, Mechanical Systems, Guidance Navigation and Control, Mission Analysis, Data Analysis, Software, and Manufacturing Engineering, Mission Assurance, or Launch Operations.

• Oversee and inform systems engineering functions such as requirements definition, design review, test review, pedigree, hardware acceptance, performance assessment and verification, operations, and post-flight analyses. Plan, coordinate, participate, facilitate Engineering Boards, provide risk assessments and technical recommendations.

• Prepare Customer team for, and directly support, launch contractor reviews, audits, and site walkdowns, rehearsals and launch operations, and anomaly resolution processes. Direct technical and engineering data management, such as data mining and reporting, while successfully keeping proprietary information separate and protected.

• Collaborate with The Aerospace Corporation (Aerospace) leadership, New Launch Contractor (LC) leadership, launch site personnel, and production and supplier personnel leads, as needed.

• Serve as a technical authority, providing data-based recommendations and engineering judgment, for USSF customers in the preparation for and execution of Chief Engineer briefings, Weekly Status Reviews, and other Space Systems Command processes.

• Assess requirements, design drawings, processes, procedures of engineering systems, and multi-disciplinary challenges.

• Lead risk assessments and mitigation planning, design reviews, pre- and post-test reviews, procedure reviews, failure analysis.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in an Engineering (e.g., Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical) or STEM field.

• 15+ years systems engineering, technical program management, or other related experience

• 4+ years of NSSL, Launch/Range, Department of Defense, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), or industry equivalent launch or space systems project engineering experience.

• Knowledge/experience with LV systems (liquid propellant rocket engines and systems, ordnance, hydraulics, in-flight avionics, LV ground support equipment, LV structures, composite materials, etc.)

• Experience with USSF and NASA launch and range systems and operations, in addition to LV design, processing, integration, testing, launch and anomaly resolution.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with space, launch, and safety standards.

• Commercial or DoW experience as a Chief Engineer of major system development (LV, SV, or other)

• Experience with USSF, NASA, National Reconnaissance Office, and LCs preferred.

• Experience with agile software products, such as Warp Core, Jira, Confluence, MS Office Suite, SharePoint, Google Workspace, and Information Technology systems is highly preferred.

• Previous project management experience preferred.

Clearance Requirements:

• Active Secret clearance to start, position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret clearance,

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50%.

• Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.

• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer.

• Frequently communicates with co-workers, management, and customers, which may involve delivering presentations. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.

MANTECH considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to disability or veteran status or any other status protected under any federal, state, or local law or regulation.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position with MANTECH, please email us at careers@mantech.com and provide your name and contact information.