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Freelance Vp Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Common Sense

Vice President, Engineering

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$175K - $205K/yr

Vice President, Engineering Common Sense Media is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the research-backed information, education, and ...

PRC Wind

Vice President, Engineering

Minneapolis, MN · On-site +1

$187K - $242K/yr

Approximately 20-30% PRC Wind is seeking a Vice President, Engineering to lead the technical design, engineering strategy, and interconnection advancement of our growing portfolio of utility-scale ...

PRC Wind

Vice President, Engineering

Minneapolis, MN · Hybrid

$187K - $242K/yr

Approximately 20-30% PRC Wind is seeking a Vice President, Engineering to lead the technical design, engineering strategy, and interconnection advancement of our growing portfolio of utility-scale ...

Beyond SOF

VP, Engineering

Washington, DC · On-site

$186K - $240K/yr

The VP of Engineering is responsible for leading the engineering team, overseeing the development and implementation of engineering projects, and ensuring alignment with the company's strategic goals.

EvolutionIQ

Vice President, Engineering

New York, NY

$350K/yr

We are currently looking to hire a Vice President of Engineering who is an experienced engineering leader who owns outcomes, not just processes. You've built and scaled high-performing, cross ...

Lila Sciences

Vice President, Engineering

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$196K - $253K/yr

The VP Engineering will bring deep technical experience in automation of lab science, a track record of building and leading multi-disciplinary engineering organizations, mentorship practices that ...

Kody

VP Engineering

San Jose, CA · On-site

$211K - $271K/yr

As VP of Engineering, you will be responsible for building and leading a high-performing engineering organisation aligned with Kody's values and mission. You'll define the technical vision, guide ...

Fetcherr

VP Engineering

Atlanta, GA · On-site +1

$173K - $223K/yr

As VP Engineering , you will serve as a senior technical and organizational leader , helping to scale Fetcherr's data-driven products and engineering capabilities. This is a hybrid role combining ...

EvolutionIQ

Vice President, Engineering

New York, NY · On-site

$350K/yr

We are currently looking to hire a Vice President of Engineering who is an experienced engineering leader who owns outcomes, not just processes. You've built and scaled high-performing, cross ...

AEG Worldwide

VP Engineering

Los Angeles, CA

$194K - $250K/yr

Reporting to the SVP of Engineering, this leader oversees an engineering organization of approximately 100 professionals across DevOps, platform infrastructure, product engineering, and data ...

Kody

VP Engineering

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$211K - $272K/yr

As VP of Engineering, you will be responsible for building and leading a high-performing engineering organisation aligned with Kody's values and mission. You'll define the technical vision, guide ...

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Freelance Vp Engineering information

See salary details

$112.5K

$215.6K

$398.5K

How much do freelance vp engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance vp engineering in the United States is $215,595.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $180,000.00 and $232,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Vp Engineering vs Software Engineering Manager?

AspectFreelance Vp EngineeringSoftware Engineering Manager
CredentialsTypically requires extensive engineering experience, leadership skills, and industry knowledgeRequires engineering background, often with management or leadership experience
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, remote or on-siteIn-house team management, often in a corporate setting
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by startups, tech companies, and consulting firms for strategic leadershipCommon in large corporations and tech companies overseeing teams
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for strategic leadership roles in engineeringCompared for team management and leadership positions

The Freelance Vp Engineering typically offers strategic, high-level leadership on a project basis, often working independently. In contrast, a Software Engineering Manager usually manages an internal team within a company. Both roles require engineering credentials, but their work environments and employer types differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance VP of Engineering, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance VP of Engineering, you need deep technical expertise, leadership experience, and a proven track record in managing engineering teams, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools (like Jira or Asana), cloud platforms, and agile methodologies is typically required, along with knowledge of current development frameworks and architectures. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for building trust with clients and motivating distributed teams. These skills ensure effective project delivery, foster innovation, and align engineering efforts with business goals in dynamic freelance environments.

How does a Freelance VP of Engineering typically integrate with existing engineering teams and leadership structures?

A Freelance VP of Engineering often joins organizations on a project or interim basis, requiring them to quickly build rapport and establish trust with both the engineering team and other executives. They are expected to adapt to the company's culture, assess team strengths and weaknesses, and align engineering efforts with business goals. Successful integration usually involves open communication, setting clear expectations, and collaborating closely with product managers, CTOs, and senior engineers. This role demands strong leadership and the ability to drive change while respecting existing processes and team dynamics.

What does a Freelance VP of Engineering do?

A Freelance VP of Engineering is an experienced technology leader who works independently with companies, often on a contract basis, to oversee engineering teams and technical projects. Their responsibilities typically include setting engineering strategy, mentoring teams, ensuring technical quality, and collaborating with other executives. They may be hired to lead specific projects, fill leadership gaps, or provide guidance during periods of transition or growth. Unlike full-time VPs, freelancers offer flexibility and expertise tailored to a company's immediate needs.
More about Freelance Vp Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Vp Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Vp Engineering job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Vp Engineering jobs? The most popular types of Vp Engineering jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Vp Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Vp Engineering jobs include:
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Freelance Vp Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Vp Engineering job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $215,595 per year, or $103.7 per hour.

Vice President, Engineering

Global Laser Enrichment

Wilmington, NC • On-site

$167K - $216K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Vice President, Engineering
Wilmington, NC
Full-Time | On-Site
Q-Clearance Required or Eligible
Reporting to the CEO and working closely with Company stakeholders, The VP Engineering is a newly created senior leadership role that provides strategic and technical leadership for all technology maturation, hardware design, and engineering activities supporting GLE's commercialization strategy.
This position holds ultimate design authority for the production facility, systems, and equipment, ensuring that business-driven product requirements are translated into mature, robust technical specifications. The role drives the parallel maturation of technology, prototype validation, manufacturing processes, plant engineering, and safety-by-design principles to enable a seamless transition from prototyping to a deployable commercial-scale plant. By maintaining clear technical accountability and disciplined trade-off processes, the VP Engineering ensures that technical decisions are optimized for performance, cost, schedule, and regulatory compliance.
NOTE: This role is restricted to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or other protected individuals under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) due to access to U.S. export-controlled technology. GLE will require proof of U.S. person status prior to employment. The selected candidate must also be able to acquire and maintain an NRC Q-clearance for access to Restricted Data.
Roles and Responsibilities:
  • Oversee the core technology maturation program, including conceptual design, detailed hardware engineering, system integration, and iterative design reviews.
  • Define and maintain the technology maturation roadmap and technical risk register from TRL 6 through TRL 9, including MRL alignment, gating criteria, and success metrics.
  • Prioritize technical workstreams to maximize FOAK technical risk reduction, balancing initial performance and reliability vs. speed to market.
  • Develop and execute strategies for manufacturability, process scale-up, supply-chain readiness, and industrialization of critical components and assemblies.
  • Collaborate closely with the projects team to align manufacturing requirements with overall project execution and cost baselines.
  • Establish and maintain a robust configuration management system and technical baseline that serves as the single source of truth for production facility designs.
  • Provide design authority and leadership for the overall production facility architecture, balance-of-plant systems, process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and equipment specifications.
  • Ensure facility and system designs meet performance, reliability, and availability targets while maturing in parallel with technology development.
  • Champion "safety by design" principles by leading integrated safety analyses, hazard identification, probabilistic risk assessments, and development of the safety basis documentation.
  • Embed safety and regulatory requirements into all design, testing, and manufacturing activities from the earliest stages.
  • Oversee operation of all test facilities, prototype assembly, commissioning, data acquisition, diagnostics, and performance validation campaigns.
  • Ensure rigorous test plans, failure mode analysis, and lessons-learned processes are institutionalized to de-risk technology prior to full-scale deployment.
  • Serve as the final technical decision authority on design trade-offs, ensuring that business and product requirements drive all technology maturation efforts.
  • Establish and chair key technical governance forums (e.g., Design Review Board, Change Control Board) and maintain strong interfaces with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless handoffs and alignment.
  • Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing engineering organization; foster a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and accountability.
  • Represent the company's technical baseline with regulators, investors, and external stakeholders as required.

Qualifications and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field; Master's or PhD strongly preferred.
  • 15+ years of progressive experience in engineering and technology development, with at least 8-10 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Director of Engineering or equivalent) in the nuclear, advanced energy, aerospace, or complex hardware/systems industry.
  • Demonstrated track record of leading technology maturation from concept through prototype testing to industrialization, including hands-on experience with hardware design, system integration, and test facility operations.
  • Strong background in safety-by-design principles, integrated safety analysis, and embedding regulatory requirements into technical baselines.
  • Experience establishing and maintaining design authority, configuration management, and technical governance processes in a regulated environment.
  • Proven ability to build, mentor, and scale high-performing multidisciplinary engineering teams while fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and accountability.
  • Familiarity with nuclear regulatory frameworks (e.g., NRC guidelines) and experience representing technical positions to regulators, investors, or external stakeholders is highly desirable.
  • Excellent strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and communication skills, with the ability to balance technical trade-offs against business, schedule, and cost drivers.
  • Comfortable with ambiguity and iteration inherent in FOAK development.
  • High accountability mindset with bias toward execution.
  • Active DOE/NRC Q-clearance or equivalent (DOD TS).

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