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Chief Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Vadum Inc

Electronic Warfare Systems Architect

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$217K/yr

... chief engineer on radar/EW programs. - Mentor and guide engineering teams in architectural best practices and technical rigor. Radar & Electronic Warfare Signal Processing - Architect and oversee ...

Pendo

Chief of Staff, COO

Raleigh, NC · On-site

As Chief of Staff to the Chief Operating Officer, you will serve as the COO's primary strategic ... Drive alignment across Sales, Post Sales, Finance, Demand Generation, Product, and Engineering.

NV5

Survey Crew Chief

Cary, NC · On-site

TIC) is a provider of engineering and consulting services to public and private sector clients ... As our new Survey Crew Chief , you will train and instruct field crews on proper use and care of ...

NV5

Survey Crew Chief

Cary, NC · On-site

TIC) is a provider of engineering and consulting services to public and private sector clients ... As our new Survey Crew Chief , you will train and instruct field crews on proper use and care of ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsChief Engineer JobsChief Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Chief Engineer information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$31.6K

$90.3K

$175.9K

How much do chief engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief engineer in Raleigh, NC is $90,345.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,300.00 and $116,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Chief Engineers face when managing multidisciplinary engineering teams?

Chief Engineers often oversee teams that include specialists from various engineering disciplines, which can present challenges in aligning different technical perspectives and ensuring effective communication. Balancing project deadlines, resource allocation, and maintaining quality standards while navigating these differences is a frequent part of the role. Successful Chief Engineers foster strong collaboration, facilitate knowledge sharing, and implement standardized processes to address these challenges. They also play a key role in mentoring junior engineers and promoting professional development within the team.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, and software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, managing large projects, or holding executive-level responsibilities.

What Is a Chief Engineer?

Chief engineer is a job title that has a range of meanings across different industries. A chief engineer is the head of the engineering department in an organization. The duties and responsibilities of this role vary in different industries. In general, a chief engineer must have engineering experience in the industry, strong leadership qualities and problem-solving skills. Depending on the industry, the education requirements for a chief engineer job range from an associate degree to advanced degrees in engineering.

What does the Chief Engineer do?

A Chief Engineer is responsible for overseeing the technical operations and maintenance of a facility, ship, or industrial plant. They manage engineering staff, ensure safety and compliance standards are met, and often handle budgeting and project planning. Strong leadership, technical expertise, and relevant certifications are essential for this role.

How much does a Chief Engineer earn?

A Chief Engineer's salary varies depending on industry, location, and experience, but typically ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 annually. They often hold certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE) and oversee technical operations, maintenance, and safety protocols in engineering projects or facilities.

What is the difference between Chief Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectChief EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, professional engineering license, leadership experienceEngineering degree, possibly licensure, technical skills
Work EnvironmentProject management, overseeing teams, strategic planningDesign, analysis, testing, and development of mechanical systems
Industry UsageConstruction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, aerospaceManufacturing, automotive, HVAC, robotics
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Chief Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer lies in their responsibilities and seniority. The Chief Engineer typically oversees projects, manages teams, and ensures technical standards at a strategic level, often requiring leadership experience and licensure. Mechanical Engineers focus on designing, analyzing, and developing mechanical systems, working on technical tasks without the managerial responsibilities of a Chief Engineer. Both roles are vital in engineering industries, but the Chief Engineer holds a higher-level, supervisory position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chief Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Engineer, you need advanced engineering expertise, leadership experience, and a relevant degree such as a bachelor's or master's in engineering. Familiarity with project management tools, CAD software, and relevant certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) licensure are typically required. Outstanding problem-solving, communication, and team management skills help drive innovation and ensure smooth coordination across engineering teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for overseeing complex projects, maintaining high technical standards, and achieving organizational goals.

What does a Chief Engineer do?

A Chief Engineer is responsible for overseeing the engineering operations of an organization or project. They lead engineering teams, manage technical projects, and ensure that systems and infrastructure are maintained and improved according to industry standards. Chief Engineers also develop policies, coordinate with other departments, and solve complex technical problems to support the organization's goals. Their role often involves budgeting, staff management, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing, particularly in large corporations or high-demand industries.
More about Chief Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Chief Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of Chief Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What are popular job titles related to Chief Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Chief Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Chief Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Chief Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Chief Engineer jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Chief Engineer job openings:
Chief Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Engineer job openings in Raleigh, NC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $90,345 per year, or $43.4 per hour.
Electronic Warfare Systems Architect with Security Clearance

Electronic Warfare Systems Architect with Security Clearance

Vadum Inc.

Raleigh, NC • On-site

$217K/yr

Other

Medical, Retirement

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Description
Since 2004, Vadum has built a brand known for practical innovation that delivers solutions to customers in the competitive field of national defense research and development. We are seeking a visionary Electronic Warfare Systems Architect to lead the conceptualization, design, and implementation of advanced RF and digital processing systems. As the technical lead, you will bridge the gap between mission requirements and hardware/software implementation, driving the technical roadmap for our next-generation EW and radar capabilities.  Key Responsibilities:
System Architecture & Technical Leadership
- Define end-to-end radar and EW system architectures, from RF front end and digitalization through digital processing, exploitation, and user outputs.
- Decompose mission requirements into system-level specifications and performance allocations.
- Lead architecture trade studies considering performance, latency, SWaP, compute resources, and scalability.
- Establish technical roadmaps for signal processing and exploitation capabilities.
- Serve as technical lead or chief engineer on radar/EW programs.
- Mentor and guide engineering teams in architectural best practices and technical rigor. Radar & Electronic Warfare Signal Processing
- Architect and oversee development of advanced signal processing techniques including: • Pulse compression and Doppler processing • Detection and CFAR algorithms • Beamforming and array processing • Target tracking and state estimation • Emitter detection, classification, and geolocation
- Guide the integration of machine learning techniques for RF signal classification and sensor exploitation.
- Ensure algorithm designs are robust, testable, and suitable for real-time or near-real-time deployment. Hardware/Software Integration
- Align algorithm development with hardware constraints (FPGA, GPU, CPU, embedded systems).
- Define digital signal processing requirements and data flows across system interfaces.
- Support integration, validation, and performance verification efforts.
- Review and approve technical designs, interface control documents, and verification plans. Customer & Program Engagement
- Present technical approaches and results to internal leadership and government customers.
- Contribute to proposals, technical volumes, and white papers.
- Identify technical risks and develop mitigation strategies.
- Support long-term technology and product roadmap planning.
Requirements
Required Qualifications • Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related field. • 10+ years of experience in radar or electronic warfare systems. • Demonstrated experience architecting complex sensing or RF exploitation systems.  • Deep expertise in radar signal processing, including detection, estimation, tracking, and classification. • Experience designing systems under real-time or embedded constraints. • Strong proficiency in C++ and Python for algorithm development and system integration. • Experience developing and validating algorithms in MATLAB. • Familiarity with FPGA, GPU, embedded systems, or high-performance computing architectures. • Strong written and verbal communication skills. • Active security clearance or ability to obtain one.
Preferred Qualifications • Experience transitioning algorithms from MATLAB/Python prototypes to optimized C++ implementations. • Experience with real-time Linux or embedded environments. • Experience applying machine learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) to RF data. • Prior technical leadership, Chief Engineer, or Principal Engineer experience. • Experience with airborne, ground-base, maritime, or passive radar systems. • Experience with electronic support (ESM) or electronic attack (EA) systems. Why Join Us? • Work on cutting-edge technology that directly impacts national security. • Collaborate with a team of elite engineers. • Comprehensive benefits package including health, retirement, and growth opportunities. Vadum, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Vadum is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact the HR Manager at (919) 341-8241 ext.: 180.

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