About CFD Research: Since its inception in 1987, CFD Research has delivered innovative technology solutions within the Aerospace & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, Intelligence & Sensing, and Energy & Materials industries. CFD Research has earned multiple national awards for successful application and commercialization of innovative component/system technology prototypes, multi-physics simulation software, multi-disciplinary analyses, and expert support services. Based in Huntsville, Alabama where laboratory facilities and headquarters are located, CFD Research also has office and laboratory facilities in Dayton, Ohio, prototyping test and evaluation facilities in Hollywood, Alabama, and office facilities in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. CFD Research is an ISO9001:AS9100D registered company and is appraised at CMMI Level II for Services. CFD Research is a 100% ESOP (employee-owned company) recognized in Inc. Magazine's Inc5000 as a top growing company for four of the last five years. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com

Job Description

CFD Research Corporation is seeking a Chief Engineer to serve as Technical Authority for ground test programs. In this role, you will be accountable for overall technical success, system integrity, and mission assurance on programs focused on developing, operating, and sustaining ground test systems. You will manage system architecture to ensure all technical efforts produce a safe, compliant, and integrated system across hardware, software, and the system-under-test areas. This position will interface directly with the Customer, Program Management Office, and Integrated Product Team (IPT) leads. This position will split time between our Headquarters in Huntsville, AL and our Engineering Test Center in Hollywood, Alabama. To learn more about the Hollywood Engineering Test Center capabilities and state-of-the-art equipment, please visit the facility's home page: https://www.cfd-research.com/hollywood/

Key Responsibilities

Primary Technical Interface to the Customer: Serves as the program’s primary technical interface to the customer and provides technical authority for engineering execution across the program. Leads the program’s technical engagement with the customer and is responsible for representing and defending the technical baseline, design approach, technical risks, and verification strategy at formal reviews and other customer technical interchange and decision forums. Ensures customer technical direction is appropriately incorporated into program execution.
Technical Integration & Stakeholder Leadership: Lead technical integration across government, industry, and military stakeholders, serving as the primary technical interface between technology development, operation, and sustainment organizations throughout installation, commissioning, acceptance, and operational transition on a military installation.
Technical Authority & Gate Certification: Hold final approval authority for engineering designs, technical changes, and verification results. Serve as the primary authority for certifying program readiness at major technical milestones, including PDR, CDR, and TRR.
System Integration & Interface Management: Decompose high-level customer requirements into technical specifications for Integrated Product Team (IPT) Leads. Own Interface Control Documents (ICDs) to ensure physical, electrical, and software interfaces integrate across all subsystems. Maintain overall system architecture and subsystem compatibility throughout the system lifecycle.
IPT Leadership & Collaboration: Provide technical guidance to IPT Leads, ensuring technical approaches are sound and subsystem decisions do not degrade overall system performance. Resolve technical disagreements between IPTs. Conduct formal scope-versus-resource discussions with Program Managers when technical requirements conflict with budget or schedule constraints. Approve IPT design approaches to ensure alignment with system specifications.
Verification, Validation & Safety: Oversee the Verification and Validation (V&V) strategy and approve test plans to ensure all requirements are verified through test or analysis. Ensure design compliance with safety and site regulations.