Actuation Systems Chief Engineer

About the role

As part of the Moog Space and Defense Group, the Actuation Systems Chief Engineer serves as the technical leader responsible for ensuring product integrity, technical excellence, and strategic technology advancement across a portfolio of sophisticated actuation systems. This highly influential role combines technical leadership, customer engagement, product stewardship, and engineering mentorship. The position reports to the Executive of General Engineering and is based onsite in Buffalo, NY.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible engineering experience, including extensive experience leading the design, development, qualification, and lifecycle support of complex aerospace, defense, electromechanical, or actuation systems.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a technical authority for complex engineering products and programs.
• Deep understanding of actuation technologies, motion control, electromechanical systems, hydraulic systems, servo systems, or related engineering disciplines.
• Proven ability to lead large, cross‑functional engineering initiatives and influence technical decisions across multiple organizations.
• Strong knowledge of systems engineering principles, requirements management, risk assessment, verification, validation, and configuration management processes.
• Experience reviewing and approving critical engineering deliverables, technical baselines, and qualification activities.
• Ability to evaluate complex technical trade‑offs involving cost, schedule, performance, manufacturability, reliability, and customer requirements.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to effectively engage customers, executive leadership, and engineering teams.
• Demonstrated success mentoring engineers and developing technical talent.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills in highly complex environments.
• Ability to work effectively in a regulated aerospace and defense environment.
• U.S. citizenship may be required to support certain government contracts and access controlled information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Experience as a Chief Engineer, Technical Fellow, Lead Systems Engineer, Engineering Manager, or equivalent technical leadership role.
• Recognized subject matter expertise in aerospace actuation systems, flight control systems, electromechanical systems, motion control technologies, or related disciplines.
• Experience supporting military, space, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries.
• Active U.S. Government security clearance.
• Experience interacting directly with customers and government agencies on highly technical programs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for actuation system products and programs throughout the full product lifecycle.
• Be accountable for product integrity across development, qualification, production, sustainment, and aftermarket support activities.
• Lead the technical execution of complex aerospace and defense programs involving multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Play a key role in Business Unit technology strategy development and execution of technology and product roadmaps.
• Establish and maintain technical standards that support product performance, reliability, safety, manufacturability, and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with Moog engineering processes, company policies, customer specifications, and applicable industry standards.
• Own and approve the technical content and quality of development, verification, validation, and qualification artifacts.
• Delegate technical authority when appropriate while maintaining overall accountability for technical decisions and product performance.
• Provide final technical disposition and decision‑making support for production and field issues, including notices of escape and corrective actions.
• Lead and participate in Internal Development Reviews (IDRs) to ensure technical rigor and development process compliance.
• Partner closely with program management, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, systems engineering, and customer teams to achieve program objectives.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor and primary subject matter expert for customers, business leadership, and engineering teams.
• Drive continuous improvement of engineering processes, standards, tools, and technical documentation.
• Mentor engineers and technical leaders while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and technical excellence.
• Balance technical risk, customer commitments, cost objectives, and business priorities to protect product integrity and mission success.

What Success Looks Like

In this role you will be recognized as the technical leader responsible for safeguarding product integrity, advancing actuation system technologies, and ensuring successful program execution. You will influence technology direction, shape engineering best practices, mentor the next generation of technical leaders, and help deliver innovative solutions that support critical aerospace and defense missions worldwide.

Benefits

• Financial Rewards: Competitive compensation package, bonus opportunities, matching 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plan (select locations), Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts.
• Work/Life Balance: Flexible paid time off, holidays, parental leave program, relocation assistance.
• Health & Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, Employee Assistance Program, and other supplemental coverages.
• Professional Skills Development: Tuition assistance, mentorship and coaching, leadership development, and other personal growth programs.
• Culture: Warm, respectful, family‑like environment driven by Moog’s 12 core values; multiple Employee Resource Groups open to all.

Pay

Salary range for Buffalo, NY: $200,000 – $240,000 annually. The base salary represents the low and high end of Moog’s range for this position; actual compensation may vary based on location, experience, performance, and additional rewards such as bonuses and stock purchase plans.

Schedule

Onsite – Buffalo, NY.