Maritime Chief Engineer

QinetiQ US•Franklin, MA

About The Position

The Maritime Chief Engineer serves as the ultimate technical authority for Maritime products and systems, with responsibility for system architecture, requirements, integration, compliance, and risk management. The role ensures delivered systems meet customer, regulatory, cost, and schedule requirements. Reporting to the Vice President of Maritime, this strategic leadership position defines, allocates, and controls technical baselines that meet contractual requirements. Its near-term focus is two major defense hardware programs at the Franklin, Massachusetts site, supporting the U.S. Navy through a prime contractor partner as they progress from low-rate initial production through production readiness and sustained rate delivery. The Chief Engineer provides end-to-end technical leadership for complex, safety-critical and mission-critical systems, ensuring they are architected, developed, integrated, tested, and delivered in compliance with stringent Navy requirements. The role calls for technical expertise and leadership to set objectives, build cross-functional teams, and drive complex work to completion. It also requires sound judgment in selecting design, analysis, and test steps, and experience completing highly optimized multidisciplinary projects. Travel is approximately 25% to QinetiQ, customer, and test sites; some international travel may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Marine, Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, or Software Engineering.
At least 15 years of experience in a relevant field.
Deep understanding of systems engineering, product development, and the overall engineering process.
Experience in a senior role leading maritime programs from initial concept through testing and delivery to customers.
Strong understanding of the rationale behind systems design.
Experience working on mission-critical DoW systems.
Proven delivery on open-ended problems, balancing technical analysis with testing and validation to progress rapidly through new production design.
Experience forming teams around a common vision, leading by example, and taking ownership of the problem and technical solution.
Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and SysML using MagicDraw.
Experience with requirements management and traceability.
Experience validating complex systems.
Willingness to travel 25% to QinetiQ, customer, and test sites; some international travel may be required.
Must be able to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or higher, with a minimum of 12 years of equivalent experience in a relevant field.
Knowledge and experience with DoD, SAE, IEEE, and/or IPC standards.
Experience with NAVSEA S9074-AQ-GIB-010/248, T9074-AS-GIB-010/271 (NDT methods), S9074-AR-GIB-010/278 (fabrication welding/inspection), and MIL-STD-1689.
Experience with DOORS or an equivalent requirements management tool.
Working knowledge of mechanical and/or electrical CAD tools such as Creo, SolidWorks, or Altium.
Experience with Navy integration.
Familiarity with CMMI Level 3 processes.
Experience with manufacturing and production programs.
Experience with Windchill.
Familiarity with data collection and analysis tools.
Experience using MRP/ERP systems.
Active Secret or higher-level security clearance.

Responsibilities

Act as technical authority for Maritime programs, guiding system architecture, integration, and engineering oversight.
Lead system architecture evaluations, technology trade studies, and performance assessments to shape development paths and maintain mission alignment.
Ensure system designs meet or exceed customer requirements and integrate subsystems into a cohesive top-level system.
Define and refine system requirements to align with government specifications and mission needs.
Maintain the technical baseline and ensure engineering deliverables meet seaworthiness, performance, schedule, and cost objectives.
Translate customer performance thresholds and DoW acquisition objectives into verified, fielded systems.
Oversee engineering from concept through qualification, maintaining technical integrity throughout the lifecycle.
Direct design integration across hardware, software, and external interfaces to ensure interoperability.
Lead or support verification and validation, including test planning, execution, and readiness assessments.
Ensure compliance with DoW standards, government regulations, and industry requirements, including NAVSEA and DoW quality and security standards.
Oversee configuration audits, design reviews, and quality checks.
Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks involving performance, integration, and technology.
Conduct mission-effectiveness analyses and evaluate technology feasibility as part of systems engineering activities.
Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams by providing guidance, mentoring, and technical direction.
Identify program-specific engineering labor and skill-set needs, including LOE and detailed WBS inputs.
Ensure engineering tasks are completed on time, within budget, and at required quality levels.
Collaborate with program management, production, quality, and business development to align work across programs.
Engage with prime and government customers, including the Navy, to communicate technical status, risks, and decisions.
Support proposal development, including technical baselines, BOEs, and concept development.
Develop and implement product-area engineering processes, standards, and best practices.
Ensure proper documentation, configuration management, and adherence to engineering procedures.
Drive continuous improvement and establish meaningful technical metrics.