Chief Engineer

About Forterra

Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front‑line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go‑to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.

The Platform Verticals at Forterra develop mission specific, autonomous ground vehicle platforms spanning both the commercial yard truck space and military vehicle applications. Our systems must be field‑ready, reliable, and compliant with safety, cybersecurity, and mission assurance standards. We work closely with government and commercial stakeholders to deliver high‑performance ground autonomy solutions for complex, real‑world environments.

We are seeking a Chief Engineer to direct technical execution for complex defense autonomy programs within a Platform Vertical. This role carries full accountability for technical outcomes from concept through integration and delivery. The Chief Engineer will interface directly with government customers, manage internal engineering execution, collaborate with all internal partners (Operations, Hardware, Core Software, etc.), and ensure delivery of a fully integrated, mission‑capable system.

This position is not a coordination role – it requires deep technical judgment, direct problem‑solving, hands‑on leadership of multidisciplinary teams, and decision‑making under pressure.

• Coordinate the software development lifecycle for integrated vehicle systems, ensuring robust, reliable autonomy and seamless subsystem interaction
• Define, manage, and own the logical and physical system architecture for the specific program across software and hardware domains
• Lead technical execution across multiple engineering disciplines (software, electrical, mechanical, autonomy, systems, and systems integration)
• Manage and mitigate technical and programmatic risks through proactive design and schedule control
• Own the engineering schedule and ensure alignment with overall program milestones and delivery dates
• Lead development and decomposition of system requirements and interface definitions for the program
• Ensure compliance with program‑specific standards including MIL‑STD‑882E, NIST 800‑53, amongst others (accountable but supported by the broader org)
• Oversee integration and commissioning of autonomous platforms and weapons payloads in field conditions
• Coordinate and be accountable for system‑level validation and verification campaigns, including test events and live demos

• Operate with full accountability, even in the absence of direct authority or guidance
• Resolve technical and organizational conflict across functions to maintain execution velocity
• Ruthlessly prioritize tasks and resources to maximize team output in a fluid environment
• Represent the program at technical reviews, demonstrations, and key stakeholder engagements

• Drive creation and management of all required engineering artifacts: systems requirements, interface control documents, cyber compliance packages, safety analyses, etc.

• Travel:
  Moderate (up to 30%). Expect time in office, though flexible based on customer engagement, test campaigns, and platform bring‑up travel

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field required. Relevant disciplines include Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Software, Mechatronics, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or similar. Advanced degree (M.S., Ph.D.) in engineering preferred
• 5+ years of experience in systems integration, robotics, or autonomous vehicles
• Demonstrated leadership of cross‑functional engineering teams in high‑stakes environments
• Strong background in autonomy, drive‑by‑wire systems, or closely related fields
• Experience with hardware and software development tools such as Solid Works, C++, and other engineering tool chains
• Experience working on…