The Vice President of Mechanical Engineering provides strategic leadership and organizational direction for all mechanical engineering activities supporting aircraft or space system programs. This executive role oversees the full lifecycle of mechanical design, structural analysis, systems integration, and hardware validation across platforms. The VP drives innovation, ensures engineering excellence, manages large-scale technical teams, and aligns mechanical systems performance with overall mission and business objectives. This position plays a critical role in advancing next-generation aerospace platforms, from advanced aircraft to launch vehicles and orbital systems.
Key Responsibilities:
Establish and lead the mechanical engineering vision, strategy, and technical roadmap across all aerospace programs (fixed-wing, rotary, launch, spaceflight, or UAVs)
Direct engineering teams responsible for airframe structures, propulsion integration, thermal systems, actuators, environmental control systems, mechanisms, and deployable structures
Ensure mechanical systems meet all performance, reliability, and regulatory requirements (FAA, EASA, NASA, DoD, MIL-STD, etc.)
Oversee design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) and ensure adherence to design assurance and quality standards (AS9100, ISO, etc.)
Lead resource planning, organizational growth, and capability development within mechanical engineering disciplines
Drive development and deployment of advanced technologies (e.g., composites, additive manufacturing, morphing structures, cryogenic systems)
Partner with cross-functional leaders in systems engineering, avionics, propulsion, GNC, and manufacturing to deliver fully integrated platforms
Cultivate technical excellence through mentorship, peer reviews, and a culture of continuous improvement
Represent mechanical engineering in executive leadership meetings, board reviews, customer engagements, and industry consortia
Oversee budgeting, cost optimization, and risk mitigation strategies for major programs and mechanical subsystems
Key Focus Areas:
Executive leadership of mechanical engineering for aerospace systems
Advanced mechanical design for air, space, or orbital platforms
Structural integrity, thermal management, and systems integration
Regulatory compliance and certification leadership
Cross-disciplinary coordination and product lifecycle execution
Organizational development and talent leadership
Technology innovation and strategic capability building
Qualifications & Skills:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering required
Master’s degree (MSME, MSAE, or MBA) strongly preferred
Certifications:
PE license or equivalent professional engineering designation preferred
Familiarity with AS9100, DO-160, DO-254, ITAR, and MIL-STD requirements
Experience:
15–20+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience in the aerospace or spaceflight industry
8+ years in senior technical or executive leadership roles managing large multidisciplinary teams
Successful track record in mechanical development of aircraft, spacecraft, or launch systems
Experience with multiple flight programs and transitioning designs from R&D to production
Technical Skills:
Deep knowledge of structural design, finite element analysis (FEA), and CAD/CAE tools (e.g., NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, Ansys)
Expertise in materials science (composites, alloys, cryogenic materials), mechanisms, and thermomechanical design
Familiarity with embedded systems integration, thermal-vacuum environments, and mechanical-electrical interfaces
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, DFM/DFX principles, and hardware qualification
Soft Skills:
Visionary leadership with the ability to drive innovation and technical differentiation
Executive-level communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Proven success leading organizations through complexity, ambiguity, and accelerated growth
Passion for advancing aerospace technology and mentoring the next generation of engineers