Chief Engineer
| Job Type | Permanent / Full Time |
| Area | Ohio, USA |
| Sector | Manufacturing & Production - Engineers |
| Start Date | ASAP |
| Advertiser | Ross Maclean-Bryant |
| Job Ref | 1673153 |
- Description
- Job Title: Chief Engineer
Location: Remote (Travel required)
Type: Full-Time / Permanent
Our client is currently seeking a Chief / Lead Engineer to serve as the senior technical authority across advanced aviation and mission system integration programmes. The role will lead the development of airborne counter-UAS capabilities and the integration of mission systems onto rotary wing aircraft platforms, ensuring all systems are technically robust, operationally effective and airworthy.
This is a hands-on leadership position requiring deep expertise in aircraft modification, FAA certification, mission systems integration and cross-functional engineering leadership within aerospace or defence environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all engineering activities relating to aircraft modification, mission system integration and airborne counter-UAS capability development.
- Define and execute certification strategies, including FAA STC processes, DER coordination, airworthiness compliance and flight test activities.
- Oversee integration of sensors, avionics, ISR systems and mission equipment, ensuring compliance with structural, electrical and operational requirements.
- Provide technical oversight of external engineering partners, suppliers and integration firms, reviewing designs, analysis and test results.
- Establish engineering standards, requirements management, configuration control and verification processes across programmes.
- Build and lead internal engineering capability across systems, structural and mission systems engineering disciplines.
- Support flight test, validation and operational deployment activities while balancing innovation, speed and certification rigor.
- 12+ years' experience within aerospace, aviation or defence engineering environments.
- Prior experience as a Chief Engineer, Lead Engineer or Principal Systems Engineer on aircraft modification or mission systems programmes.
- Strong expertise in FAA certification processes, including STC approvals, DER coordination and airworthiness compliance.
- Experience with aircraft integration, avionics, electrical systems and structural modification activities.
- Working knowledge of ISR systems, RF/radar/EO-IR payload integration or counter-UAS technologies.
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, with experience overseeing both internal teams and external engineering partners.
- Rotary wing aircraft, military airworthiness and airborne mission systems experience would be highly advantageous.
TARCG is acting as an employment business in relation to this vacancy. By applying to this advert, you give consent to TARCG holding & processing your personal data for the purpose of work finding services. TARCG is The Aviation Recruitment & Consulting Group.
