Chief Engineer

About the role

This role is fully onsite in Bloomfield, CT, five days per week, and the company will be relocating to Suffield, CT later in 2026.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Program Execution - Lead the technical execution of a next-generation rotary engine program, from concept through commercialization.
• Collaborate with the VP of Engineering and senior leadership to define and drive the engine development roadmap.
• Balance innovation with practical constraints—optimizing for function, cost, manufacturability, and performance.
• Team Management & Development - Manage a multidisciplinary team of engineers and contractors, including test, design, development, modeling, and calibration specialists.
• Recruit top engineering talent and build a cohesive, high-performance team.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Design, Testing, and Integration - Oversee the development, design integration, testing, and validation of engine systems and subcomponents.
• Identify opportunities to improve performance, durability, and efficiency through iterative design and hands-on prototyping.
• Career Growth - Ongoing training, mentorship, and learning opportunities to accelerate your growth.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience leading engine development programs or complex mechanical systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (MS or PhD strongly preferred).
• Deep expertise in combustion engines, rotary systems, thermofluid components, and electromechanical integration.
• Proven ability to manage complex systems, optimizing tradeoffs between size, weight, cost, and performance.
• Proficiency with design and simulation tools (SolidWorks, FEA, modeling, etc.).
• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Hands-on, lab-based engineering experience—willing to be deeply involved in prototyping and testing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced experience with engine packaging and system-level integration.
• Experience with electro-hydraulic-mechanical systems.
• Familiarity with CAD, simulation tools, and data analysis platforms (e.g., MS Project, Excel, MATLAB).
• Track record of recruiting and building effective engineering teams.
• Comfort presenting technical content to investors, customers, and partners.

Qualifications

• Flexible PTO: We value work-life balance and encourage time to rest and recharge.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage—you choose what works best for you.
• Equity Participation: Permanent employees receive RSUs (Restricted Stock Units).
• 401(k) Match: We offer a 401k w/100% matching up to 3% of your salary and then 50% of contributions between 3-5%