Chief Design Engineer

Role details

Job Description

(NOTE: Send your resume to: [email protected])

Serve as the senior technical authority for the internal and external structural design of our next‑generation Defense Solutions: Advanced Unmanned Aircraft and Advanced Armored Vehicles. Lead the airframe design team, own structural architecture decisions, and ensure the integration of advanced materials, manufacturability, survivability, and mission‑driven performance requirements. Direct the airframe design team, own structural architecture decisions, and ensure that all geometry, load‑bearing structures, and composite/metallic components meet mission, manufacturability, and airworthiness requirements.

Provide expert‑level CAD leadership and guide the full design lifecycle from concept to production. Chief Design Engineer (CDE) takes full responsibility to deliver the aerodynamic capabilities and stealth structural design based on the design criteria set forth for the Advanced Unmanned Aircraft. For the Advanced Armored Vehicle, the CDE is responsible for internal/external design and make sure all design criteria is met from concept to production. CDE ensures that all milestones are met on-time and within the program budget. CDE discusses with the CTO all key technical matters needing final decisions and escalates technical issues to the CTO for quick resolution.

Job Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership
• Define structural architecture for fuselage, wings, control surfaces, internal bays, and load‑bearing components.
• Lead multidisciplinary design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, FRR) and ensure alignment with systems engineering, aero, propulsion, and manufacturing.
• Responsible from complete internal and external structural design and integrity for the advanced unmanned aircraft, taking it from concept to production with input from CTO.
• Create and approve as final authority all the necessary documentation needed by the Design Engineering team including the guidelines, process, and methodology for the design engineering teams to follow with input from the SMEs as needed.
• Work with PMO to quickly resolve issues and mitigate any technical risks to stay on schedule to fulfill the milestone criteria.
• Run the weekly Design Engineering Review Board (ERB) meetings to stay updated on all design matters and keep on schedule and keep Board tool (Diligent Boards) updated. Participate in other required PMO Board meetings.
• Work with Chief Systems Engineer (CSE) to ensure everything is in alignment as per the plan and bring any relevant issues to the CTO for resolution.
• Work with CTO on other design related work as required for the Program.
• CAD & Design Authority
• Serve as the top CAD expert for UCAV airframe design (CATIA, NX, or equivalent).

o Establish guidelines for modeling standards, parametric design rules, simulation studies, and digital thread best practices.

o Guide the creation of detailed 3D models, assemblies, and production ready engineering drawings.

o Utilize latest methods including Multi-disciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) to create efficient designs. Use integrated AI tools for rapid iterations using Auto-desk Nav Pack, nTop, Neural Concept, Siemens NX AI or similar tools. Keep history of all the design iterations.

o Work with Systems Engineering team, Digital Engineering Team (MBSE Team Lead, MDO Lead) on the implementation of MBSE & Digital Twin Models.

o Oversee proper planning, design, build, integration, and testing of the Proprietary features.

o Provide guidelines to the Design Engineering team for Wind Tunnel Tests and update Simulation Models with the data collected and refine the Design before Conceptual Design Review (CDR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), and Detailed Design Review (DDR).

• Structural Engineering & Testing
• Oversee composite and metallic structural design, load paths, stress considerations, stress/fatigue analysis & testing, and integration of stealth‑driven geometry.
• Oversee all Structural, Mechanical, Environmental, Functionality Testing, and all Proprietary Feature testing.
• Ensure manufacturability for low‑rate and full‑rate production.
• Program & Supplier Co-ordination
• Coordinate with internal IPTs, external suppliers, and tooling/manufacturing partners.
• Provide technical oversight for subcontracted structural components.
• Escalate any supplier/vendor issues with the Deputy Program Director for a resolution.
• Compliance & Risk Management
• Ensure adherence to MIL‑STD, airworthiness, and DoD program requirements.
• Identify structural risks and drive mitigation strategies.
• Quickly resolve technical design risks identified by the Risk Manager.
• Discuss technical risk matters with CTO as needed.

Job Requirements & Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Master’s degree (Aerospace, Structures, or Systems Engineering) (preferred)

Experience

• 12+ years in aerospace structural design, with significant experience on Unmanned Aircrafts (UAV, UCAV), stealth fighter, bomber, or advanced airframe programs.
• 5+ years in a leadership role leading structural design teams as Chief Design Engineer.
• Experience in leading multidisciplinary design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, FRR) and ensure alignment with systems engineering, aero, propulsion, and manufacturing.
• Experience in direct the use of Digital Engineering AI generative tools, including CAD, FEA, CFD, MBSE, and digital thread workflows.
• Experience in taking the Design Team from conceptual design to production and successfully completing all milestones on time, within the budget and in accordance with Program Objectives.
• Deep background in composite structures, stealth‑driven geometry, and advanced manufacturing.
• Proven expertise in CATIA V5/V6, Siemens NX, or equivalent high‑end CAD systems.
• Experience or knowledge of Armored Vehicle loaded with weapon systems.
• Good experience in airframe structural design, including metallic and composite structures.

• Experience in Compliance and Risk Management as a Technical Leader.

• Experience in Structural Analysis & Testing.

• Experience or deep understanding of Multi-disciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) to create efficient designs using integrated AI tools.

• Experience in overseeing the Structural, Environmental, and Functionality Testing

• Experience in reviewing Wind Tunnel Test data and updating Simulation Models.

• Expertise in aerodynamics, loads, flutter, aero‑elasticity, and structural dynamics.

• Strong understanding of stealth shaping, signature‑driven design constraints, and LO materials.

• Experience with weight engineering, mass properties, and performance trade studies.

• Familiarity with manufacturing processes: AFP, RTM, autoclave, additive manufacturing.

Leadership & Soft Skill requirements

• Excellent communication/interpersonal skills for interaction with DoW, executives, and engineering teams, airworthiness authorities, and flight test organizations

• Ability to make high‑impact technical decisions with available data.

• Strong leadership in a fast‑moving, autonomy‑heavy development environment.

• Ability to drive consensus across diverse engineering disciplines.

• Strategic thinking with a deep understanding of mission context.

Certification requirements

Required Certifications

• MIL‑HDBK‑516 Airworthiness Certification Training
• System Safety (FHA/FTA/FMEA) Certification
• Composite Airframe Design & Manufacturing Certification
• Digital Engineering / MBSE Fundamentals Certification
• ASME GD&T Professional Certification (GDTP)

Preferred Certifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) – Mechanical or Aerospace
• CATIA/3DEXPERIENCE or Siemens NX Professional Certification
• Ansys Mechanical or NASTRAN/Patran FEA Certification
• HyperSizer or Digimat Composite Analysis Certification
• Additive Manufacturing Certification
• Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt

Security Clearance requirement

• Active TS-SCI clearance is required

Software Tool requirements

• CATIA V5/V6 / 3DEXPERIENCE or Siemens NX

• Ansys Mechanical, NASTRAN/Patran, HyperMesh

• Ansys Fluent or STAR‑CCM+

• MATLAB/Simulink

• Cameo Systems Modeler (SysML)

• Teamcenter or 3DEXPERIENCE PLM

• AI‑assisted generative design tools

• DELMIA or Tecnomatix

• Digimat, HyperSizer

Good to know Tools

• STK/AFSIM (mission-level modeling to understand design impacts)

• Python (automation, data processing)

• Power BI (engineering dashboards)

• VR/AR design review tools (for immersive design reviews)

• Digital requirements tools (DOORS Next)

Other Requirements

• US Citizenship

• Background check

• Drug-test

• Polygraph Test if asked by the DoD after starting the role

Benefits

Major Benefits: Sign-on Bonus, Annual Performance Bonus, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Paid Holidays, 3 weeks vacations/year, 401K, Paid training, relocation expenses (over 50 miles), Employee recognition/award system.

Pay: $200,000.00 - $270,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person