Position Purpose: The Chief Project Engineer is accountable for the technical, cost, and schedule performance of new product development programs. Other responsibilities include ensuring technical specifications are met, project scope is accurately defined and protected, department templates are updated, and skillsets are matched appropriately to programmatic tasks. This position will be largely internally-facing but will require occasional customer support.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Perform necessary tasks and coordinates all necessary activities inside or outside the engineering department; in order to meet cost, performance and schedule requirements for the assigned projects.
• Accountable for development and successful qualification of new product introductions.
• Leads cross-functional team members in establishing program plans with respect to specification compliance and performance requirements.
• Identify, investigate, implement and train company employees on new technologies as needed to support new business proposals, development and productivity projects.
• Identify new vendors for above and work with Operations/Purchasing to approve and transition them to production.
• Be aware of industry standards for electromechanical actuation and participate in applicable governing board standards/specification technical committees such as SAE, ASME, AIAA, ASCE, NASC, etc when applicable and beneficial to the company. 
• Identifies and implements process improvements within the organization.
• Employee’s primary duties require him/her to use discretion and independent judgment.
• Directs support for design proposals with internal departments balancing manufacturing, cost, schedule, performance, and bandwidth implications.
• Coordinate detail drawing modifications and the procurement of engineering hardware. Implements development and qualification test objectives, writes test procedures, and oversees the preparation of test units and the conduct of tests.
• Coordinates testing activities, writes test reports and prepares recommendations related to the test objectives.
• Supports Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) activities associated with development or qualification problems.
• Accountable for accurate and timely reporting of technical challenges.
• Understands and applies risk management practices to development and production/field support programs.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills including presentations internally and to customers.
• Ability to operate in a team environments and communicate effectively. Lead and direct work of technicians, support engineers and designers.
• Understand quality system standards of CEF Industries, LLC.
• Extensive familiarity and understanding of FEA tools, design validation and verifications tools and methodologies.
• Extensive knowledge of engineering systems; configuration management, gate review process and engineering change order requirements.
• Deep understanding of materials, heat treatments, finishes, and the cost/schedule implications of each.
• Ensures customer-driven specifications are flown down across all programs.
• Review and critique work performed by less senior members of the department.
• Shares experience in the form of lessons learned presentations to the department.
• Creates, updates, and ensures the use of all templates used by the department.
• Identifies expertise lapses in the department; develops and executes training program.
• Responsible for improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and organization of the department.
• Identifies potential opportunities to share hardware across multiple programs.
• Determines appropriate design verification testing to be performed to mitigate compliance risks.
• Ensures methods and tools used by the engineering department follow company and industry best practices.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's of Science degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with at least ten (10) years or relevant experience –or- Associate’s Degree in a math or science field with at least fifteen (15) years relevant experience.
• Working knowledge or qualification on Geometrical Dimensioning & Tolerance
• Experience with aerospace processes and methods (DO-160, MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-31000, Y14.100) preferred.
• Experience with Electromechanical Actuation (Motors, Gear trains, drive screws, controllers, etc…)

Computer Skills

• 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) platforms such as Dassault Systems SolidWorks
• Microsoft Office (Excel, Project, and Word)
• FEA experience, Solidworks preferred

Language Skills Must be fluent in written and spoken English.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time and an air conditioned and heated office.  The noise level is moderate.  The shop floor is in the same building as the office and will be required to occasionally visit the shop which may expose the employee to loud noise and fumes.  The noise level in the shop is high.

The employee is expected to adhere to all company policies and procedures.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other duties assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Full Benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Supplemental Health Benefits, FSA/HSA, Vacation, Personal Time, Holidays, 401K, ST/LT Disability, Life/AD&D Ins., Legal Ins., Identity Theft, Pet Ins., Auto & Home Ins., Commuter Benefits, Tuition Reimbursement, Discretionary Bonus Eligible

Equal Employment Opportunity

CEF Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CEF is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job related reasons regardless of race (and traits associated with race including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), religion, color, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, gender identity or expression, disability, family medical history or genetic information, veteran status, military service, marital status, order of protection status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Must be authorized to work in the U.S., ITAR/EAR compliance is required for all positions.  To conform to U.S. export control regulations, applicant should be eligible for any required authorizations from the U.S. Government. (Disability/Veteran/VEVRAA Federal Contractor”) If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf