Chief Engineer

Chief Engineer

AD ASTRA ROCKET COMPANY

Webster, TX Job Details Full-time 1 hour ago Benefits Health savings account Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Tuition reimbursement Paid time off Vision insurance 401(k) matching Life insurance Retirement plan Qualifications DoD experience Microsoft Office Master's degree Continuous improvement Decision making Physics Cross-functional collaboration Project stakeholder communication Cross-functional communication Full Job Description About Ad Astra Ad Astra Rocket Company (Ad Astra) is an innovative US R D company dedicated to the development of advanced plasma rocket technology for in-space transportation. The company headquarters and main laboratory are located in the city of Webster, TX, about 25 miles south of downtown Houston. Ad Astra also owns and operates a small subsidiary, located in northwestern Costa Rica and primarily focused on developing and implementing clean energy solutions based on green hydrogen for both stationary and mobile applications. Job Overview The VF 150™ Chief Engineer for the VASIMR® Electric Propulsion System (EPS) serves as the primary technical authority for all aspects of the program. This role defines technical vision, ensures system-level integration, and provides engineering leadership across avionics, mechanical, power, structural, software, thermal, and mission operations disciplines. The VF 150™ Chief Engineer works closely with VASIMR® EPS Program Management, internal engineering leadership, cross-functional program teams, and external partners, including NASA, DoD, and commercial stakeholders, to maintain technical integrity throughout the VASIMR® EPS lifecycle. Beyond program execution, the VF 150™ Chief Engineer provides product line leadership by developing and maintaining the long-term technical roadmap and product extensibility objectives, ensuring alignment with Ad Astra Rocket Company's strategic objectives, and serving as the overriding design authority for the VASIMR® EPS product line and its derivatives. Responsibilities Serve as the primary technical authority for the VASIMR® Electric Propulsion System. Assist Program Management with design and integration across all engineering disciplines. Define, maintain, and control the technical baseline, system architecture, and requirements. Ensure compliance with mission objectives, safety standards, verification requirements, and schedule constraints. Provide technical leadership during design reviews, TIMs, and milestone reviews with NASA, DoD, and commercial partners. Support risk identification, assessment, and mitigation across R D and program activities. Lead subsystem development, integration, verification, and certification to meet program delivery and quality objectives. Support Program Technical Management in communicating status, risks, and design solutions to leadership and external stakeholders. Support development of the VASIMR® EPS technical roadmap aligned with company strategy. Serve as the overriding design authority for new developments and product enhancements. Ensure all project-level design and implementation efforts align with the product‑line vision. Support proposal development, cost estimates, trade studies, and program planning. Coordinate with partner organizations to align requirements and resolve technical conflicts. Support program integrated management teams with planning, estimating, risk management, logistics, and cost‑performance trade-offs. Ensure multi-program requirements are integrated without compromising configuration control or manufacturability. Enforce engineering design processes, standards, and configuration management practices. Lead failure analysis, root‑cause investigations, and corrective action implementation. Support continuous improvement of engineering procedures, metrics, and performance indicators. Promote ethical conduct, technical rigor, and professional integrity across engineering teams. Mentor discipline engineering specialists, physicists, and design engineers in a matrixed environment. Support performance feedback, development planning, and technical skill growth. Assist in defining roles, responsibilities, and priorities across the product line. Requirements Bachelor's and master's degrees in aerospace, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, Physics, or related field. Minimum 15 years of experience leading complex aerospace, spacecraft, and/or robotic system flight development programs. Experience with system-level integration and cross-domain engineering leadership. Familiarity with NASA programs, requirements, and development processes. Strong communication skills with experience interfacing across partner companies and customer organizations. Strong risk management, problem-solving, and technical decision-making capabilities. Additional Skills Desired Prior experience as a Chief Engineer, Deputy Chief Engineer, or Systems Engineering Lead. Familiarity with spacecraft high-power systems environment challenges (electromagnetics, RF, thermal extremes, radiation). Strong technical knowledge of spacecraft propulsion systems, payloads, subsystems, and mission operations. Proficiency with MS Office, MS Project, AS9100D/EVMS compliance, export regulations, and related frameworks. Strong presentation, technical writing, and stakeholder communication skills. Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, cross-functional environment. Physical Requirements Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. (i.e., instruments, books, equipment, small devices, and supplies). Ability to stand or be seated for long periods of time. Stooping, reaching, climbing, working on a ladder and bending may be periodically required.

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Ability to

Commute:

Webster, TX 77598 (Required)

Work Location:

In person