Chief Engineer - Aircraft Development (Security Clearance Required)

General Job Summary

The Chief Engineer for Aircraft Development is responsible for leading the technical vision, engineering strategy, and overall system integration for a next-generation unmanned aircraft program. This role oversees the complete engineering lifecycle—from concept development and requirements definition through detailed design, testing, certification, and entry into service. The Chief Engineer ensures all designs meet performance, safety, regulatory, schedule, and cost objectives while driving innovation and technical excellence across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Essential Job Functions

• Defining and maintaining the aircraft’s technical baseline, architecture, and requirements

• Serving as the primary technical authority and decision maker for the aircraft

• Managing technical risks and resolving complex engineering issues

• Ensuring compliance with FAA/DoD/industry standards and working closely with certification authorities

• Partnership with program management on schedule, cost, and technical trade decisions

• Representing engineering to executive leadership, customers, suppliers, and regulators

• Driving a culture of safety, innovation, engineering discipline, and continuous improvement

• Supports business development as the lead technical contact for proposal efforts relating to the product line

• Supports program management and project engineers with development of program planning strategies, technical cost estimates, evaluations of alternatives, risk management, logistics management, cost-performance trade-offs, preparation of data, status updates and presentations at customer reviews

• Facilitates the integration of multi-program/project requirements without design/manufacturing configuration and the cost

• Aids in setting priorities across the product line. Ensuring roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and coordinated with project engineer(s)

• Supports Project Engineer(s) as necessary, to include, but not limited or project planning, estimating, execution of project tasks and management of the engineering team of integrated product team (IPT)

• Assists the functional managers with developing and implementing improved procedures and standards to ensure that output is high quality, accurate, on-time, and within budget; which includes establishing metrics (key performance indicators) for the engineering projects and accountabilities for achieving results

• Defines and manages risks of technical approaches in terms of resources/tools and personnel needs across the product line

• Enforces the execution of company engineering design processes

• Lead failure analysis and root cause investigation using corrective action tools and techniques needed to effectively solve problems

• Fosters ethical conduct and personal integrity throughout Engineering to ensure the company’s ability to attract and retain customers in highly competitive environment

• Supports the project engineer(s) with customer requirements, goals, and expectations

• Reports progress across the product line in meeting external/internal customer requirements, goals, and expectations as it relates to the technical roadmap

• May act as Design Authority for approval of engineering technical data package elements (engineering drawings, specification, etc.)

• Works with supply chain and strategic suppliers to ensure suppliers meet engineering specifications

• May be assigned to lead complex, multi-system, multi-discipline engineering projects outside of the assigned product line

Supervisory Responsibility

No direct reports

Compensation

$185,000 - $225,000

Experience and Skills

• Excellent engineering and project management experience

• Strong technical knowledge of aircraft systems and related support systems

• Excellent communication and relationship skills with Senior Leadership, Program Management, Customers and engineering team members

• Proficiency with MS Office products

• Knowledge of compliance elements for ISO/AS9100, EVMS and Export regulations

• Strong presentation preparation and delivery skills with audiences such as Subcontractors, Prime and Government

• Strong technical writing skills to communicate internally or externally

• Demonstrated passion for customer satisfaction

• Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information as required by government standards

• Ability to interact effectively with peers and supervisors

• Ability to interact appropriately with the public when necessary

• Ability to adhere to workplace rules

• Ability to effectively communicate professionally in writing or verbally with all levels of personnel

• Flexibility to handle changing requirements and prioritize in a dynamic environment

Education and Experience

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in applicable engineering, technical, or science discipline

• Minimum 20 years relevant technical experience with Engineering, Systems, Integration, Test, Software, and/or Engineering Project Leadership, preferably within the aerospace or aviation industries

• Prior experience working on aircraft development programs

• Secret level U.S. security clearance (requires U.S. Citizenship and no foreign contacts)

Work Environment/Physical Requirements

• Office and/or manufacturing environment

• May work extended hours or weekends to complete tasks and meet schedule

• May work in manufacturing and/or field environments with potential exposure to uncontrolled climate conditions and potential exposure to noise, dust and hazardous chemicals

• Ability to perform repetitive motion (computer work, phones)

• Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time

• May be required to lift up to 50 pounds in accordance with KUAS General Safety Training guidelines

Travel Requirements

This position is located in Sacramento, CA and is not eligible for remote work. Up to 25% travel may be required.

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage

• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance

• 401(k) Savings Plan

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

• Paid Time-Off (PTO)

• Holidays

• Education Reimbursement

Company Information

• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., is a leading defense technology company focused on unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, training, and combat systems.

• Our customers include the U.S. federal government, foreign governments, commercial enterprises, and state and local government agencies.

• At Kratos, we prioritize affordability as a cornerstone of our technology. We leverage proven, cutting-edge methodologies and technology to minimize costs, streamline schedules, and mitigate risks, ensuring timely delivery of cost-effective solutions to market.

• Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems (KUAS), a division of Kratos Defense, is renowned for its expertise in developing, delivering, integrating, and supporting high-performance, cost-effective, jet-powered Unmanned Aerial Systems (Targets and Tactical).