Chief Engineer V - Team Manager

Voyager Technologies • Folsom, CA

32d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief Engineer V (Team Manager) for Controllable Solid Propulsion in 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 Strategic Systems based in Folsom, CA. This role is hybrid in Folsom, CA. In this role, the essential technical functions are: Able to direct the end-to-end technical lifecycle of the program by leading cross-functional teams through rigorous design reviews and qualification milestones, ensuring that the final system is producible, compliant with technical data requirements, and balanced against cost and schedule constraints. Able to lead the engineering team in meeting all program milestones by maintaining a rigorous focus on the critical path, proactively deconflicting resources, and driving schedule performance through the aggressive management of task span-times and alternative execution strategies. Demonstrated responsibility in establishing and maintaining 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 the exploration of alternative technical solutions. Has served as the primary technical spokesperson for a program, managing both internal and external stakeholder relationships by presenting programmatic material, cultivating new business, and ensuring all customer requests remain within authorized scope while providing data-driven technical alternatives for collaborative decision-making. Drive organizational engineering process improvements, knowledge management, and best practices Other duties as assigned. In addition to the technical responsibilities, the Team Manager provides people leadership and management support for an engineering technical team of approximately 10 engineers. These responsibilities represent approximately 20% of total job duties: Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the engineering team. Foster a culture of learning, professional growth, and knowledge sharing through training, mentorship, and skill development initiatives. Mentor and develop team members, providing coaching, feedback, opportunities for growth and successfully meeting assigned goals. Identify training needs for the team and/or individuals to support career development. Conduct performance appraisals throughout the annual review cycle aligned with company, engineering department, and individual contributor goals, business strategies, and overall contribution. Contribute to the generation of the Engineering Department annual operating plan, providing recommendations for capital and expense input for budgeting purposes. Ensure team adherence to engineering best practices, standards, and processes. Identify resource needs, allocate staffing accordingly, and participate in the recruitment and hiring process as needed. Other general managerial duties as assigned 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.

Requirements

• Ten (10) years of systems engineering experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline from an accredited college/university; equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Advanced technical and organizational leadership skills, with the ability to manage ambiguity and competing priorities.
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage executive and customer audiences.
• Proficiency with engineering management and project planning tools such as Microsoft Project, Primavera, or equivalent.
• Experience with data-driven decision making, technical trade analysis, and configuration control, along with strong interpersonal skills for guiding and motivating diverse, high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop team members in a professional engineering environment, including experience supporting the leadership of an engineering technical team of approximately 10 engineers.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance at the appropriate level.

Nice To Haves

• Rocket motor design and testing experience.
• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline from an accredited college/university.

Responsibilities

• Direct the end-to-end technical lifecycle of the program by leading cross-functional teams through rigorous design reviews and qualification milestones, ensuring that the final system is producible, compliant with technical data requirements, and balanced against cost and schedule constraints.
• Lead the engineering team in meeting all program milestones by maintaining a rigorous focus on the critical path, proactively deconflicting resources, and driving schedule performance through the aggressive management of task span-times and alternative execution strategies.
• 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 the exploration of alternative technical solutions.
• Serve as the primary technical spokesperson for a program, managing both internal and external stakeholder relationships by presenting programmatic material, cultivating new business, and ensuring all customer requests remain within authorized scope while providing data-driven technical alternatives for collaborative decision-making.
• Drive organizational engineering process improvements, knowledge management, and best practices.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the engineering team.
• Foster a culture of learning, professional growth, and knowledge sharing through training, mentorship, and skill development initiatives.
• Mentor and develop team members, providing coaching, feedback, opportunities for growth and successfully meeting assigned goals.
• Identify training needs for the team and/or individuals to support career development.
• Conduct performance appraisals throughout the annual review cycle aligned with company, engineering department, and individual contributor goals, business strategies, and overall contribution.
• Contribute to the generation of the Engineering Department annual operating plan, providing recommendations for capital and expense input for budgeting purposes.
• Ensure team adherence to engineering best practices, standards, and processes.
• Identify resource needs, allocate staffing accordingly, and participate in the recruitment and hiring process as needed.

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off (FTO)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families
• Flexible, affordable gym memberships with 12,700+ options nationwide
• 401(k) retirement plan with a company match of up to 4%
• Company wellness programs that support physical and mental well-being
• Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources
• Relocation assistance to Folsom, CA

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior