Vice President, Mechanical Hardware and Propulsion Engineering

Vice President, Mechanical Hardware and Propulsion Engineering About the Company Progressive defense technology company Industry Defense & Space Type Privately Held About the Role The Company is seeking a VP of Mechanical Hardware and Propulsion Engineering to lead the development of next-generation defense systems. The successful candidate will be tasked with building and leading the full mechanical hardware organization, owning major hardware programs across complex mechanical systems and propulsion. This role is pivotal in the transformation of prototypes into reliable, production-ready defense hardware, and the ideal candidate will have a strong mechanical engineering foundation with deep experience in the development of complex hardware, particularly in the defense or aerospace sectors.

Key responsibilities for the VP include leading all mechanical hardware engineering functions, driving the execution of major hardware programs, and ensuring that the hardware meets demanding performance, safety, and environmental requirements. The role also involves providing technical leadership across mechanical systems, solving cross-disciplinary problems, and partnering with adjacent engineering functions to deliver complete hardware systems. The candidate should have a proven track record of delivering real hardware, hands-on experience in the design and oversight of various mechanical and propulsion systems, and the ability to manage and scale high-performing engineering teams.

A professional, high-maturity communication style and the ability to recruit top engineering talent are essential, as is the capacity to lead through ambiguity and drive toward execution milestones. Travel Percent Less than 10% Functions Engineering Confidential