Chief Engineer - Mission Delivery

About Forterra

At Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving threats, we design for flexibility, survivability, and operational dominance.

Forterra delivers weapons, sensors, and battlefield effects through integrated autonomous networks reaching operational areas faster, safer, and without placing human lives  systems operate with distributed control, dynamic routing, and real-time responsiveness, enabling sustained advantage across complex mission environments.

The Chief Engineer is accountable for delivery of assigned Forterra products and systems in accordance with customer contracts. They are responsible for the Scope, Schedule, Budget, and Quality associated with the contract and manages all aspects of the design and build process including—and not limited to—requirement specification, bill of material development, material procurement, manufacturing, commissioning, delivery, and customer acceptance. Additionally, this role is charged with defining the margin target for each project, developing and managing budgets, assessing and managing risk, monitoring non-conforming costs, and managing complex budgets that meets or exceeds margin and profit targets.

To meet or exceed customer expectations the Chief Engineer partners with Integration and Growth Leads, and other cross-functional personnel prior to contract award to ensure a seamless transition from presales to execution. This transition—completed in accordance with the Forterra Product/Program Development Process (PDP)—occurs no later than the Kickoff Gate of the PDP lifecycle. The Chief Engineer organizes and leads teams consisting of software engineers, hardware engineers, technicians, commissioning personnel, and various other subject matter experts to deliver on contracts.

The Chief Engineer regularly reports on progress, financial health, risk management, schedule attainment, and quality metrics throughout the lifecycle of the contract. The Chief Engineer is a member of the Forterra Engineering Leadership Team (SLT) and reports to the VP of Mission Delivery.

• Ultimately, be responsible for everything that happens or fails to happen within assigned contract delivery associated with a Forterra program.
• Be responsible for all aspects of systems, engineering, and delivery of complex hardware-software integrated engineered solution in support of program team objectives.
• Contribute to and exemplify process discipline codified in The Forterra Way (business and quality management system).
• Manage a team of engineers, production technicians, and other technical and business resources to deliver successful implementations.
• Develop employees; train resources, plan and lead team members throughout contract delivery.
• Confirm scope of contract and deliverables.
• Develop and manage project and delivery schedules.
• Maintain budget, drive margin adherence, and manage contingency funds in accordance to adopted risk strategy.
• Rigorously enforce all Quality and Safety standards.
• Define work breakdown structure (WBS), processes and workflows, and reporting structure to optimize team performance and progress while delivering.
• Define and implement engineering, efficiency, and productivity improvements.
• Design and manage technical standards; lead the development of project execution strategies.
• Lead cross-functional efforts to develop tool sets and adopt new Forterra products and tools.

• BS or advanced degree in Engineering or Business Administration or equivalent combination of education and experience that includes both engineering and business management.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in robotics, automotive, automation and/or defense technology market.
• Experience understanding and assessing technical concepts.
• Mastery of project and operations management relating to Scope, Schedule, Budget, and Quality.
• Experience managing…