Chief Engineer (Aerospace)

Voyager is an innovative defense, national security and space technology company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, mission‑critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets to lead in the race for technological and operational superiority from ground to space.

Forge the Future: Join Voyager Technologies

The future belongs to those who build it. At Voyager Technologies, we’re building technologies that protect lives, expand frontiers and prepare us for what’s next. And we’re doing that with people who are wired to solve, build, adapt and lead. These roles are not for the faint of heart.

You’ll help lay the foundation for humanity's future. Join a culture where innovation thrives, curiosity is rewarded, and impact is real. We’re a company of doers, thinkers and builders, united by purpose and grounded in reality.

We want you to put your skills to work where the stakes are real and the mission is bigger than any one person. Forge the future with Voyager.

The Chief Engineer for Strategic Systems is an autonomous technical leader responsible for the end‑to‑end mission success of solid rocket propulsion system programs by managing large multidisciplinary teams, overseeing complex systems engineering processes, and aligning technical execution with budgetary and schedule requirements.

The position reports to the Director of Engineering and is part of the Strategic Systems department based in Reno, NV. This role is based in Reno, NV or Folsom, CA or Huntsville, AL or Long Beach, CA or Remote.

Responsibilities

In this role, the essential functions are:

1. Lead the end-to-end technical lifecycle of the program by guiding cross‑functional teams through rigorous design reviews and qualification milestones, ensuring producibility, compliance with technical data requirements, and balance against cost and schedule constraints.
2. Maintain rigorous focus on the critical path, proactively deconflicting resources, and driving schedule performance through aggressive management of task span‑times and alternative execution strategies.
3. Establish and maintain lean technical scope baselines by eliminating contingency budgeting, monitoring cost performance indices (CPI) to mitigate variances, and rigorously challenging budget change requests to preserve management reserves through alternative technical solutions.
4. Serve as the primary technical spokesperson, managing internal and external stakeholder relationships by presenting programmatic material, cultivating new business, and ensuring customer requests remain within authorized scope while providing data‑driven technical alternatives for collaborative decision‑making.
5. Obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level (requires U.S. Citizenship).

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline with 15 years of engineering experience and 5+ years of technical leadership in solid rocket motors (SRMs).
2. Strong experience leading the end-to-end technical lifecycle of solid rocket propulsion system programs.
3. Demonstrated ability to drive schedule performance and manage multi‑disciplinary teams.
4. Proficiency in establishing lean technical scope baselines and monitoring cost performance.
5. Experience as a primary technical spokesperson for a program.
6. Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level (requires U.S. Citizenship).

Preferred Qualifications

1. At least four years of experience leading controllable solid rocket propulsion system projects consisting of high‑performing multi-disciplinary teams of no less than ten people.
2. Current DoD Secret Security clearance.

Travel, Physical and/or Government Mandated Requirements

• Travel up to 25%, including the possibility of overnights within the vicinity of our site locations or external test facilities.
• Ability to lift, move or carry items or equipment up to 50 pounds.

The good faith base salary range for this role is $195,000–$250,000 at the time of this posting. Where you fall within the range depends on your experience, skills, and location.

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 company match of up to 4% to help you build 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.

Voyager is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.