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Chief Engineer Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

General Atomics

Chief Engineer

Poway, CA · On-site

We specialize in real-time global situational awareness and battle management, processing petabytes ... GA-Intelligence is seeking a Chief Engineer to help lead the technical direction of one of our ...

ABM Industries

Chief Engineer

Laguna Hills, CA · On-site

$70/hr

ABM Industries is seeking a Facility Manager / Chief Engineer to oversee facility operations and building engineering functions at the TGS site in Laguna Hills. This is a newly established, high ...

ABM Industries

Chief Engineer

Laguna Hills, CA · On-site

$70/hr

ABM Industries is seeking a Facility Manager / Chief Engineer to oversee facility operations and building engineering functions at the TGS site in Laguna Hills. This is a newly established, high ...

ABM Industries

Chief Engineer

Laguna Hills, CA

$70/wk

ABM Industries is seeking a Facility Manager / Chief Engineer to oversee facility operations and building engineering functions at the TGS site in Laguna Hills. This is a newly established, high ...

DCS Corporation

Chief Engineer WSISS

Ridgecrest, CA · On-site

$142K - $190K/yr

Salary Range: $142,188 - $190,000 Seeking a dual-hatted Senior General and Operations Manager to serve as the Chief Engineer on a major US Navy Aviation Services and Support contract. The Chief ...

Embassy Suites La Jolla

Chief Engineer

San Diego, CA

$80K - $90K/yr

Chief Engineer Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Annually Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt Location: Embassy ... Develop and manage preventive maintenance programs to ensure optimal performance of hotel equipment ...

Embassy Suites La Jolla

Chief Engineer

San Diego, CA

$80K - $90K/yr

Chief Engineer Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Annually Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt Location: Embassy ... Develop and manage preventive maintenance programs to ensure optimal performance of hotel equipment ...

Embassy Suites La Jolla

Chief Engineer

San Diego, CA

$80K - $90K/yr

Chief Engineer Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Annually Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt Location: Embassy ... Develop and manage preventive maintenance programs to ensure optimal performance of hotel equipment ...

Embassy Suites La Jolla

Chief Engineer

San Diego, CA

$80K - $90K/yr

Chief Engineer Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Annually Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt Location: Embassy ... Develop and manage preventive maintenance programs to ensure optimal performance of hotel equipment ...

Embassy Suites La Jolla

Chief Engineer

San Diego, CA

$80K - $90K/yr

Chief Engineer Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Annually Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt Location: Embassy ... Develop and manage preventive maintenance programs to ensure optimal performance of hotel equipment ...

Embassy Suites La Jolla

Chief Engineer

San Diego, CA

$80K - $90K/yr

Chief Engineer Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Annually Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt Location: Embassy ... Develop and manage preventive maintenance programs to ensure optimal performance of hotel equipment ...

Embassy Suites La Jolla

Chief Engineer

San Diego, CA

$80K - $90K/yr

Chief Engineer Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Annually Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt Location: Embassy ... Develop and manage preventive maintenance programs to ensure optimal performance of hotel equipment ...

DCS Corp

Chief Engineer WSISS

Ridgecrest, CA · Hybrid

$142K - $190K/yr

Salary Range: $142,188 - $190,000 Seeking a dual-hatted Senior General and Operations Manager to serve as the Chief Engineer on a major US Navy Aviation Services and Support contract. The Chief ...

DCS CORPORATION

Chief Engineer WSISS

Ridgecrest, CA · On-site

$142K - $190K/yr

Salary Range: $142,188 - $190,000 Seeking a dual-hatted Senior General and Operations Manager to serve as the Chief Engineer on a major US Navy Aviation Services and Support contract. The Chief ...

DCS Corporation

Chief Engineer WSISS

Ridgecrest, CA · On-site

$142K - $190K/yr

Salary Range: $142,188 - $190,000 Seeking a dual-hatted Senior General and Operations Manager to serve as the Chief Engineer on a major US Navy Aviation Services and Support contract. The Chief ...

Embassy Suites La Jolla

Chief Engineer

San Diego, CA

$80K - $90K/yr

Chief Engineer Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Annually Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt Location: Embassy ... Develop and manage preventive maintenance programs to ensure optimal performance of hotel equipment ...

Embassy Suites La Jolla

Chief Engineer

San Diego, CA

$80K - $90K/yr

Chief Engineer Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Annually Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt Location: Embassy ... Develop and manage preventive maintenance programs to ensure optimal performance of hotel equipment ...

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Chief Engineer Manager information

What does a Chief Engineer Manager do?

A Chief Engineer Manager oversees engineering teams and projects within an organization, ensuring that technical standards are met and projects are completed efficiently. They are responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising the work of engineers and technical staff, managing budgets, and collaborating with other departments. Additionally, they play a key role in developing engineering strategies, solving complex technical problems, and driving innovation to support organizational goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chief Engineer Manager?

To thrive as a Chief Engineer Manager, you need a strong background in engineering principles, project management, and leadership, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering and significant industry experience. Familiarity with CAD software, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and certifications like PMP or PE are typically required. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and team management skills set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure efficient project delivery, innovation, and effective team coordination within complex engineering environments.

How does a Chief Engineer Manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project success?

A Chief Engineer Manager plays a pivotal role in bridging technical teams with management, project management, and other departments such as procurement and quality assurance. They regularly coordinate with stakeholders to align engineering objectives with organizational goals, facilitate clear communication of project requirements, and resolve technical issues efficiently. This collaboration often involves leading multidisciplinary meetings, ensuring all teams are informed of progress and challenges, and fostering a culture of teamwork and innovation. Such cross-functional engagement is essential for delivering projects on time and within budget while maintaining high quality standards.

What is the difference between Chief Engineer Manager vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectChief Engineer ManagerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferredBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, PE license optional
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles overseeing engineering teams, project management, strategic planningDesign, analysis, testing, and development of mechanical systems
Industry UsageConstruction, manufacturing, aerospace, energy sectorsAutomotive, HVAC, robotics, manufacturing

The Chief Engineer Manager typically holds a leadership position overseeing engineering projects and teams, requiring advanced credentials and experience. Mechanical Engineers focus on designing and developing mechanical systems, often working under the guidance of managers. Both roles are integral in engineering industries but differ mainly in responsibility level and scope.

How much is the salary of a Chief Engineer Manager?

The salary of a Chief Engineer Manager typically ranges from $100,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. They often hold advanced technical skills and managerial responsibilities, which can influence compensation levels.

Is a chief engineer manager a high position?

A chief engineer manager is a high-level leadership role responsible for overseeing engineering teams, projects, and technical operations within an organization. It typically requires extensive experience, technical expertise, and management skills, reflecting a senior position in the company's hierarchy.

What are the most commonly searched types of Chief Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Chief Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Chief Engineer Manager jobs in California?

For Chief Engineer Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Chief Engineer Manager jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Chief Engineer Manager jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Chief Engineer Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Chief Engineer Manager job openings:

Chief Engineer Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Engineer Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Chief Engineer

Poway, CA • On-site

General Atomics
Space Research Administration • 10K+ employees

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 39 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 72 rated aerospace companies

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Learn more about General Atomicsexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Job Summary
General Atomics Integrated Intelligence Inc. (GA-Intelligence) develops cutting-edge software solutions that transform raw data into actionable intelligence. We specialize in real-time global situational awareness and battle management, processing petabytes of data from hundreds of sources across air, land, and sea. Our systems-including the widely used THRESHER and DRAGONSPELL platforms-support tens of thousands of users at all levels of the DoD and Intelligence Community and enable critical decision-making for national security missions. We process hundreds of thousands of observations per minute, operating at the scale of global sensor networks and battlefield telemetry. Our backend architecture leverages technologies like Kafka, AWS, NiFi, and GeoMesa-the latter of which we designed and open-sourced-to deliver high-throughput, mission-resilient systems that turn streaming data into real-time intelligence.
GA-Intelligence is seeking a Chief Engineer to help lead the technical direction of one of our commercial and international software programs. This individual will initially act as the Deputy Chief Engineer and will work in close partnership with the current Chief Engineer to learn the system, build trust across the organization, and progressively assume broader technical leadership responsibilities. Over time (approximately six months), this person will transition into the Chief Engineer role.
This is a senior technical leadership role for a large-scale operational software environment supporting commercial and international missions. The system is a complex, real-time platform focused on global situational awareness, tracking, data fusion, geospatial workflows, and operational decision support. It serves a large user base, integrates with numerous internal and external systems, and must operate with high reliability in demanding mission contexts.
The right candidate is a strong systems thinker, an experienced software and architecture leader, and a credible technical authority who will own the system. This person must be proactive, exercise sound engineering judgment, and have the confidence to make bold but disciplined technical decisions. Additionally, they should have experience and skill gaining concurrence for both technical and programmatic solutions with partners and customers. They should be comfortable setting direction, driving clarity, and taking accountability for outcomes without creating unnecessary risk in a mission-critical environment.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Partner with the current Chief Engineer to understand the architecture, technical roadmap, dependencies, operational context, and major risks across the program.
  • Help define and maintain the overall technical direction of a complex software ecosystem involving real-time data ingest, tracking, fusion, geospatial capabilities, analytics, and external integrations.
  • Provide technical leadership across multiple teams, subsystems, and engineering disciplines.
  • Guide major architectural decisions and evaluate tradeoffs among performance, resiliency, maintainability, scalability, delivery speed, and long-term system health.
  • Take ownership of end-to-end system integrity and help ensure the program is making sound technical decisions across teams.
  • Proactively identify technical risks, architectural friction points, and integration challenges before they become larger issues.
  • Help ensure strong engineering rigor in system design, integration planning, testing strategy, and technical execution.
  • Work closely with program management, engineering managers, product leadership, and technical leads to align architecture and delivery.
  • Support technical planning, modernization efforts, risk reduction, release readiness, and cross-team coordination.
  • Manage disparate or competing needs among multiple business partners and customers, gaining acceptance for proposed solutions and timelines.
  • Mentor technical leaders and help strengthen the engineering bench across the organization.
  • Represent the program as a senior technical leader in customer and stakeholder engagements when needed, being comfortable and effective briefing both customers and partners.
  • Progressively take on broader technical ownership in preparation for transition into the Chief Engineer role.
We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.
Job Qualifications
  • Typically requires a Bachelors, Masters or PhD in engineering or a related technical field as well as thirteen or more years of progressively complex engineering experience. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
  • Significant experience leading software engineering for large, complex, distributed systems.
  • Experience serving in a senior technical leadership role such as Chief Engineer, Deputy Chief Engineer, Chief Architect, Principal Engineer, Technical Director, or similar.
  • Strong systems engineering mindset and ability to understand complex end-to-end system behavior across many interacting components.
  • Experience with mission-critical operational systems where reliability, performance, and up-time matter.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead across organizational boundaries and influence multiple teams.
  • Proactive leadership style with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
  • Sound engineering judgment and the confidence to make bold but disciplined decisions.
  • Experience and skill in navigating disparate goals across multiple teams, partners, and customers.
  • Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical issues to senior leaders, customers, and mixed technical/non-technical audiences.
  • The ability obtain and maintain a DoD clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Experience with real-time data processing, tracking, sensor integration, data fusion, geospatial systems, or operational command-and-control style environments.
  • Experience with cloud and distributed data systems, event-driven architectures, and large-scale integration environments.
  • Experience working in, and debugging to solution for one-off, unusual customer architectures.
  • Experience mentoring senior engineers and building technical leadership bench strength.

What Success Looks Like:
In the first phase, the Chief Engineer will build a deep understanding of the mission, architecture, technical risks, and organizational landscape, while becoming a trusted partner to the current Chief Engineer and engineering leadership team. Over time, this individual will assume greater ownership of technical direction, improve architectural clarity and cross-team alignment, proactively address risk, and be prepared to transition into the Chief Engineer role.
Why Join GA-Intelligence?
GA-Intelligence builds mission-critical software systems that support some of the most important national security missions in the country. Our teams work on technically hard problems with real operational impact, including global situational awareness, tracking, fusion, and decision support at scale.
This role offers the opportunity to help shape the future of a major operational system, partner with highly capable leaders and engineers, and grow into the senior technical leadership role for a large, complex, mission-driven program.
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About General Atomics

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world's leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1955

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