Chief Technology Officer – Aerospace Engineering

Chief Technology Officer – Aerospace Engineering (Hybrid-Electric Aircraft)Up to $250,000 base + stock options | Firebaugh, CA (Eagle Field Airport), Bay Area/Palo Alto presence preferred | Full-time, on-site or hybrid with travel to Eagle FieldAbout the opportunityOur client is building a hybrid-electric drive-and-fly vehicle and needs its top engineering leader. As CTO, you'll own the technical direction of the whole vehicle: aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, batteries, avionics, flight controls, autonomy, simulation, systems integration and engineering test. You'll be hands-on, working at startup pace alongside company leadership, with every engineering discipline reporting to you through its lead.What you'll doSet the vehicle's technical roadmap with leadership and align it with product prioritiesOwn and resolve cross-discipline technical decisions and keep the vehicle architecture consistentBuild, mentor and grow the engineering team, and recruit for upcoming program phasesLead architecture and major design reviews, balancing performance, reliability and costPartner with airworthiness and flight test on evidence-based readiness and technical riskGuide the integration of autonomy software, flight controls and physical systemsShape supplier and partner technical strategyPut practical requirements and engineering-change controls in place, and work with the Program Manager on schedule and staffingWhat you bringBachelor's in aerospace or aeronautical engineering, or closely related engineering with substantial aircraft design and development experienceMultidisciplinary engineering leadership on a significant aircraft or aircraft-system program, with roughly 15+ years in aerospace (exceptional candidates with fewer years will be considered)A record of taking aircraft or aircraft systems through design, prototype integration and testDeep aerodynamics expertise and strong whole-vehicle integration judgmentWorking knowledge of airworthiness, development assurance and configuration controlU.S. work authorization (no visa sponsorship)Nice to haveExperience as a CTO, chief engineer, vehicle lead or head of aircraft designVTOL, electric or hybrid propulsion, autonomy integration or aircraft certification experienceA graduate degree in aerospace engineeringHands-on use of AI engineering tools with measurable resultsCompensation and arrangementBase salary up to $250,000, plus stock optionsPrimary site is Eagle Field Airport in Firebaugh, CA, with a Bay Area presence preferred. Local, on-site or hybrid work with regular travel to Eagle Field. This role is not primarily remote.Candidates willing to relocate are welcomeWhy apply through Total Aviation StaffingTotal Aviation Staffing connects aviation and aerospace professionals with leading employers across commercial, business and general aviation, MRO, aerospace and defense, and aviation technology. Applying with us gives you a specialized aviation recruiter in your corner and access to openings that may not be publicly advertised.Ready to lead the engineering behind a new kind of aircraft? Apply today.