The Chief Engineer for Vertical Takeoff and Vertical Landing (VTVL) systems is an autonomous technical leader responsible for the end-to-end mission success of our VTVL programs by managing multidisciplinary teams, overseeing complex systems engineering processes, and aligning technical execution with budgetary and schedule requirements.
The position reports to the Chief Engineer of Lunar Systems and is part of the Office of Chief Engineering based in Pittsburgh, PA. This role is onsite and can be located either in Mojave, CA, or Long Beach, CA.
In this role, the essential functions are: - Own the vehicle's technical architecture, design philosophy, requirements, interfaces, margins, and performance allocations, ensuring subsystems integrate into a safe, mission-capable vehicle
- Serve as the program's senior technical authority, providing independent judgment on major design decisions, waivers, risks, and readiness, and resolving cross-functional disagreements on engineering merit
- Lead vehicle-level design and development from concept through qualification, integrated/flight test, and operational deployment
- Own vehicle performance and technical margins (mass, CG, propellant, delta-V, thrust-to-weight, structural/thermal margins, power, comms, control authority), driving corrective action as needed
- Own technical risk identification and retirement, driving early testing of high-risk technologies and failure modes
- Define the development, qualification, and flight-test approach, ensuring the test program retires risk rather than just demonstrating nominal performance
- Works with the Chief Engineer of Lunar Systems to establish design standards and engineering rigor (analysis methods, margins, safety factors, configuration control, documentation) and tailor as needed to the program's risk posture
- Partner with manufacturing, test, and operations to ensure the design is manufacturable, testable, and operable, incorporating field experience into design decisions
If your experience aligns with our basic qualifications and you are inspired by our mission, we'd like to connect. If you don't see the right role right now, Join Our Talent Community and stay connected as we continue to build what's next.
Minimum Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other relevant engineering discipline with 15 years of engineering experience.
- Demonstrated experience as a technical lead of a major component, subsystem or vehicle for a complex spacecraft, launch vehicle, aircraft, or similarly integrated safety-critical system.
- Experience adjudicating complex technical trade-offs and leading or participating in Engineering Review Boards.
- Deep understanding of how to manage system architecture products, requirements, and technical risk.
- Familiar with understanding of customer needs, CONOPS, and requirements and translating into engineering architecture and detailed design.
Preferred Qualifications: - Has served as the primary technical spokesperson for a program or project, including responsibility for system architecture, requirements, interfaces, design trades, technical risk, verification, and resolution of cross-subsystem technical issues.
- Direct experience taking flight hardware through development, integration, test, and flight or operational deployment, with demonstrated involvement in major design reviews, test readiness, anomaly resolution, and flight/readiness decisions.
- Experience leading liquid propulsion system projects.
- Current U.S. Security Clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
Travel, Physical, and/or Government Mandated Requirements: - Travel up to 25%, including the possibility of overnights within the US.
- Ability to lift, move or carry items or equipment up to 50 pounds
The good faith base salary rangefor this role is
$180,000 - $240,000 at the time of this posting. Where you fall within the range depends on your experience, skills, and location. This range reflects base salary only and does not include benefits or bonus/incentive. This range may be adjusted in the future.
The position may be eligible for lump-sum bonus upon hire. Voyager offers a highly competitive total compensation package designed to support the well-being, growth, and success of our employees. Employees benefit from a flexible and comprehensive rewards program that supports both professional and personal well-being.
- Flexible Time Off (FTO), empowering employees to take the time they need to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company and many benefits paid at 100% for employees
- Flexible, affordable gym memberships with 12,700+ options nationwide, including 24 Hour Fitness, EoS Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Blink Fitness, Chuze Fitness, and more! No long-term contracts and FREE on-demand workout videos before you enroll
- 401(k) retirement plan with a 50% company match on contributions up to 8%, supporting long-term financial security
- Company wellness programs that support physical and mental well-being
- Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources
- The opportunity to work alongside a highly talented team in an innovative, mission-driven environment
California pay range
$180,000-$240,000 USD
