ABOUT THE ROLE
The Chief Engineer of Fury System Architecture & Design is for Fury. You will conceive, define, and optimize the system's architecture, core functionalities, and performance from concept ideation through detailed design definition and validation. This role drives the technical roadmap for Fury, ensuring it embodies cutting-edge autonomy, aerospace engineering, and robust mission capability. Your focus is the intrinsic design, performance, and functionality of the system, collaborating to ensure manufacturability without directly managing production.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Define the end-to-end technical vision, system architecture, and strategic design roadmap for Fury UAS, translating mission requirements into innovative engineering solutions.
- Lead the conceptualization, detailed design, multi-domain analysis (aerodynamics, structures, thermal, EMI/EMC), and rigorous optimization of all Fury subsystems (airframe, propulsion, avionics, flight controls, sensors, autonomy hardware) for unparalleled performance, reliability, and survivability.
- Lead and mentor multi-disciplinary design engineering teams (aerospace, mechanical, electrical, software, GNC, autonomy hardware) through the full product design lifecycle.
- Drive critical design decisions, trade studies, and technical risk assessments that define Fury's capabilities.
- Collaborate intimately with Systems Engineering, Software, Autonomy, and GNC teams for seamless integration and optimal overall system performance.
- Serve as the principal engineering interface to strategic technology partners for advanced component research, evaluation, and technical specification.
- Champion Design for X principles (e.g., Performance, Reliability, Test, Upgradeability) from early design stages.
- Oversee selection and mastery of advanced engineering tools (MBSE, CAD/CAE, CFD, FEA, virtual prototyping, digital twin) to accelerate design cycles and rigorously validate system performance.
- Communicate design maturity, technical risks, and strategic technology insertion plans to senior leadership.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
- 10+ years progressive leadership in aerospace system architecture, deep technical design, and full lifecycle development of complex autonomous flight systems, including leading multi-disciplinary design teams through conceptualization, detailed design, and rigorous validation.
- Proven ability to define, decompose, and manage complex system requirements, architecting innovative solutions and guiding technical trade-offs.
- Strong track record delivering groundbreaking, high-performing aerospace designs, balancing ambition with rigorous analysis and integrity.
- Deep and broad understanding of aerospace system architecture, flight dynamics, propulsion, avionics, sensor integration, autonomy hardware/software, and complex flight control systems.
- Expertise in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and proficiency with advanced analytical/simulation tools (CFD, FEA, MATLAB/Simulink) for design optimization and performance prediction.
- Excellent problem-solving skills with a data-driven, first-principles-based, and results-oriented mindset.
- Effective communicator capable of driving alignment across highly technical, multi-disciplinary engineering teams and influencing senior technical and business stakeholders.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Post-graduate degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in a relevant engineering discipline.
- Experience architecting entirely new aerospace platforms or revolutionary system concepts from a blank slate.
- Direct experience integrating AI/ML-driven decision-making, perception, and advanced autonomy into core flight system designs.
- Expertise in advanced materials science and structural design for extreme aerospace environments.
- Experience in a high-growth startup or advanced R&D defense environment, emphasizing agile design iteration and rapid proof-of-concept validation.
- Professional certifications such as CSEP, INCOSE ESEP.
- Track record managing design engineering across multiple concurrent, complex aerospace programs.
- Familiarity with digital twin technologies for design validation, virtual commissioning, and predictive performance analytics during the design phase.
- Prior experience leading 'design-to-cost' and 'design-to-performance' initiatives from concept through verification.
