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Chief Engineer - Fixed-Wing UAS

Fort Worth, TX, US • Posted 1 day ago • Updated 17 minutes ago

Full Time

On-site

USD $180,000.00 - 220,000.00 per year

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Job Details

Skills

System Integration
IT Strategy
Decision-making
Problem Solving
Conflict Resolution
Computer Hardware
Development Testing
Systems Architecture
Roadmaps
Electrical Systems
Manufacturing
System Requirements
Technical Writing
Testing
ROOT
Collaboration
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Avionics
Integration Testing
Interfaces
IT Risk Management
IT Risk
Communication
Systems Engineering
Requirements Management
Military
Aviation
Aerospace
Technical Direction
Leadership
Startups
IT Management
Management
Mentorship
AV
Audiovisual

System Integration
IT Strategy
Decision-making
Problem Solving
Conflict Resolution
Computer Hardware
Development Testing
Systems Architecture
Roadmaps
Electrical Systems
Manufacturing
System Requirements
Technical Writing
Testing
ROOT
Collaboration
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Avionics
Integration Testing
Interfaces
IT Risk Management
IT Risk
Communication
Systems Engineering
Requirements Management
Military
Aviation
Aerospace
Technical Direction
Leadership
Startups
IT Management
Management
Mentorship
AV
Audiovisual

Summary

Chief Systems Engineer - Lead the Development of a Next-Generation Fixed-Wing Aircraft Platform

Fort Worth, TX | On-site

Opportunity Summary

Join a growing aerospace startup developing advanced fixed-wing unmanned aircraft systems for defense and commercial applications. As Chief Systems Engineer, you will serve as the technical authority responsible for the overall aircraft architecture, system integration, and engineering execution across the entire platform. This is a highly visible leadership role that requires balancing big-picture technical strategy with hands-on engineering decision making. Working directly alongside the President and CTO, you will guide the aircraft from concept through flight testing and production while ensuring every engineering discipline remains aligned around a common technical vision. This role is ideal for an experienced aircraft systems engineer who has led multidisciplinary development efforts and enjoys solving complex engineering challenges in a fast-moving startup environment.

About Us

We are a venture-backed aerospace company building advanced fixed-wing aircraft designed to support demanding mission requirements. Our engineering team operates with a strong emphasis on rapid iteration, practical problem solving, and close collaboration across hardware, software, manufacturing, and flight operations. As we continue scaling the organization, we are looking for a technical leader who can establish engineering direction while helping build the systems and processes needed for long-term growth.

Job Duties

Serve as the technical authority for the complete aircraft system throughout development, testing, and production.
Own system architecture and ensure all aircraft subsystems integrate into a cohesive, high-performing platform.
Partner closely with executive leadership to establish technical priorities, product roadmaps, and engineering strategy.
Lead multidisciplinary engineering efforts spanning structures, propulsion, avionics, flight controls, software, payload integration, electrical systems, and manufacturing.
Drive system-level trade studies and make technical decisions balancing performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and schedule.
Develop and manage system requirements, interface definitions, verification plans, and overall technical documentation.
Review engineering designs across multiple disciplines and ensure technical consistency throughout the aircraft.
Support prototype development, ground testing, flight testing, troubleshooting, and root cause investigations.
Mentor senior engineers while fostering strong technical collaboration across the organization.
Establish scalable engineering processes that support rapid development without unnecessary complexity.
Represent engineering during customer discussions, technical reviews, and executive planning activities.

Qualifications

10+ years of aerospace engineering experience with significant fixed-wing aircraft development experience.
Demonstrated ownership of complete aircraft systems rather than a single engineering discipline.
Strong systems engineering background with experience integrating mechanical, electrical, software, propulsion, avionics, and flight control systems.
Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams through complex development programs.
Track record taking aircraft from concept through integration, testing, and flight validation.
Strong understanding of aircraft performance, system interfaces, verification, and technical risk management.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence both engineering teams and executive leadership.
Comfortable making high-impact technical decisions in a fast-paced startup environment.
Willing to relocate to the Fort Worth area or spend the majority of time working on-site.

Preferred Experience

Chief Engineer, Chief Systems Engineer, Technical Director, or Lead Systems Engineer experience on fixed-wing aircraft programs.
Startup or early-stage aerospace company experience.
Experience developing unmanned aircraft systems or autonomous aviation platforms.
Background supporting flight test campaigns and aircraft certification or qualification activities.
Familiarity with model-based systems engineering, requirements management, or digital engineering tools.
Experience transitioning aircraft from prototype development into low-rate or full-scale production.
Military aviation, defense, or advanced aerospace program experience.

Why Join Us

Own the technical direction of an advanced fixed-wing aircraft platform from concept through deployment.
Work directly alongside experienced executive leadership while influencing company-wide engineering decisions.
Join a growing startup where technical leadership has a direct impact on product success and company growth.
Build and mentor a world-class engineering organization while remaining deeply involved in solving challenging technical problems.
Receive meaningful equity ownership and the opportunity to help shape the future of the company.

Compensation Details

$180,000 - $220,000

#LI-AV

Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.

Dice Id: 80183540
Position Id: da534f4ccf0fb9d9850398f629c794e0
Posted 1 day ago

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