Program Chief Engineer

The Program Chief Engineer is the technical lead within the Hypersonic RF/Radar Division for all phased array programs, especially related to Wireless Communications. The candidate will help develop strong customer relationships, enabling the business to execute on current business and position the Division for future growth.

The Chief Engineer has responsibility for the development and execution of plans to support various programs within the cost, schedule and requirements of the contracts. The Chief Engineer is expected to have a strong technical and project engineering background with significant experience in the design and development of Phased Array systems.

Essential Functions for the Chief Engineer will include:

• Oversees and guides the daily technical execution of the cradle-to-grave engineering effort; to assure quality, safety, and engineering soundness that aligns with the cost, schedule and requirements goals outlined in the contracts.
• Responsible for leading, training, coaching and mentoring of the division's engineering team through every phase, from prototype to production and completion of various projects.
• Coordinates with group leads on program staffing and scheduling SME support from Technology Directors and Fellows within the Division and across BlueHalo
• Delegates lead engineering roles and sets engineering technical structure on program; reports this organizational structure to PM during early planning phases.
• Reviews program organization and tasking to optimize efficiency. Ensures a developmental program is balanced with the smallest possible, most focused, qualified staff.
• Ensures developmental programs employ tailored levels of process and paperwork, but not at the expense of creative engineering, agile prototyping, or a culture of innovation.
• Establishes short term, prioritized task lists and sprint schedules with technical staff, monitors technical performance, and reports status back to PM.
• Provides inputs to PM team to support schedule updates and milestone schedule progress.
• Reviews and must approve any program schedule or plan as well as key changes (a) at the time of proposal or (b) during program execution.
• Supports preparing CDRL / program technical status reports to customer, presents technical status to customer, and participates in all routine customer status and coordination meetings.
• Conducts weekly or bi-weekly feedback/pulse checks from technical staff to collect opportunities or issues and report them to PM.
• Creates favorable culture to increase productivity, sound engineering, and innovation
• Establishes a regular, informal, agile technical peer review and design verification test process (short term, prioritized task lists and sprint schedules) across the engineering team to check and validate design changes as well as design elements that trace to critical performance requirements to avoid future risk or schedule delays; and takes lead responsibility for ensuring technical staff are accountable to deliver a high quality engineering product.
• Verifies action items from peer reviews are addressed. Communicates this status to PM.
• Establishes technical readiness reviews for major program milestones and Chief Engineer signature/approval is required for consent to proceed with any key program event.
• Participates in System Engineering Integration and Test (SEIT) team to fully understand key program requirements, technical performance measures, and system verification plans.
• Develops plans and approaches with engineering team to manage all formal, recognized risk items, as well as unplanned "surprises" that routinely occur during the development.
• Establishes agile, informal design verification tests with engineering team to avoid future risk or schedule delays
• Communicates risk status, mitigation plans, and status to PM and customer.
• In concert with SEIT team, schedules test event data reviews to review results, capture non-conformance, and document resolutions.
• In concert with PM, organizes agendas and layout for key design and customer technical reviews.
• Reviews and approves customer presentations for sound technical messaging, coherence, good story etc.
• Schedules, as appropriate, non-advocate reviews with BlueHalo Tech Fellows and Associates to ensure quality and appropriate scrutiny is applied to key design elements
• Nominates staff for spot awards and bonus opportunities
• Works to ensure key program technical data and knowledge points are captured, documented, and organized to assist future programs
• Documents lessons learned in final program report

Required Education and Experience

• BS degree in an engineering field
• A U.S. Citizen able to obtain and maintain a US Department of Defense Security Clearance
• 10+ years of relevant experience within an engineering field (FPGA, RF, Electrical, Systems, etc.)
• Proficiency with computer software (Microsoft Suite of Programs, Adobe, etc.) for file creation, conversion, and consolidation, and project scheduling
• Ability to perform basic math calculations (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing) as well as practical application of fractions, percentages, and measurements
• Experienced negotiator
• Experience in business analytics and metrics reporting
• Experience evaluating performance on current and previous awards regarding engineering, research and development, subcontracts, costs, and profit
• Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR/DFAR) mandatory flow down clauses and various types of agreements
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Department of Defense SECRET Security Clearance

Preferred Education and Experience

• MS degree in an engineering field
• A current, active US Department of Defense SECRET Security Clearance
• Ability to read and interpret technical specifications and requirements
• Excellent communication skills including speaking, writing, and listening, such that ideas and information are clearly conveyed, and meaning is obtained
• Ability to smoothly handle variety of situations and problems that may arise - sometimes several at once - and solve them, or work with others involved to come to cooperative solutions, while understanding time and budget constraints
• Skill in performing under the stress of frequent interruptions and/or distractions
• Skill in working at the direction of a manager and following through on assignments in a timely fashion
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and complete assignments efficiently and accurately, while adapting to shifting or competing work assignments and changes in workload volume
• Experience with US Department of Defense

Salary Range: $187,300 to $224,166

• The BlueHalo pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity as well as alignment with market data.
• Our compensation package also includes components designed to support employees' total well-being, which should be considered when evaluating our competitive benefits package. These benefits include health insurance, life insurance, disability, company holiday and paid time off, parental leave, 401(k) company match and contributions, professional development/training reimbursements, and other work/life programs.