Chief Engineer

Company Overview

Red 6 is an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) technology startup leading the way in synthetic air combat training. Our primary technology, supporting our ATARS product, enables pilots to simulate the cognitive challenges of flying while accessing realistic, scalable training in dynamic outdoor environments.

The Role

Red 6 is seeking a highly experienced Chief Engineer to join our dynamic team in Louisville, CO. The Chief Engineer is the senior technical authority responsible for system architecture and technical baseline integrity for the ATARS product. This role provides end-to-end technical leadership spanning hardware, software, optics, head tracking, eye tracking, embedded software, and aircraft mission system interfaces. The Chief Engineer ensures disciplined systems engineering execution, governs configuration control of the technical baseline, and drives architectural coherence from concept through flight demonstration and delivery. As a deeply technical and cross-functional leader, the Chief Engineer will lead critical design decisions, conduct trade studies, and translate customer requirements into actionable system and subsystem specifications.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for one or more variants of Red 6’s Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS).

• Lead technical definition, execution and delivery of ATARS HW & SW system architecture across headsets, electronics units, optics, sensors, embedded software, and aircraft interfaces.

• Oversee ATARS integration with aircraft data buses (e.g., MIL-STD-1553, ARINC, Ethernet-based architectures) and open mission systems.

• Chair Engineering Change Boards and participate in Configuration Control Boards (CCBs) to enforce disciplined change control and configuration management.

• Own the integrity of the technical baseline including system requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), architecture artifacts, RVTM, technical drawings, verification plans, and compliance matrices.

• Ensure readiness and artifact maturity for milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, flight readiness).

• Define and protect safety-critical boundaries between ATARS and aircraft systems in partnership with Airworthiness and Integration teams.

• Lead technical trade studies and manage Technical Performance Measures (TPMs) across clarity, latency, weight, power, and thermal domains.

• Identify and mitigate integration and architecture risks, including multi-ship networking and synchronization challenges.

• Mentor senior engineers and architects and serve as primary technical interface to ELT and external customers.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related STEM discipline (Master’s preferred).

• 15+ years of relevant experience in system engineering, hardware design, and/or technical leadership roles for simulation, AR, VR, or related products in the defense, aerospace or related industries.

• Demonstrated experience leading complex avionics or integrated HW/SW systems through development and flight or fielding.

• Proven expertise in system architecture design, with a strong emphasis on combined hardware/software systems and systems integration.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive decisions on complex technical issues and system trades.

• Strong understanding of embedded systems, real-time computing environments, and avionics software integration.

• Expert understanding of the end-to-end systems development lifecycle, with the ability to deterministically buy down technical risk throughout the process.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively articulate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Qualified candidate must have the ability to obtain a security clearance. This requires U.S. Citizenship

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Sensors (camera, time-of-flight), optics or image processing.

• Experience with virtual reality or augmented reality hardware (Rift, VIVE, Gear VR, etc.)

• Experience working with government customers and understanding of defense industry standards and protocols

• Experience with helmet-mounted displays, augmented reality systems, or advanced pilot-vehicle interfaces.

• Experience with multi-ship networking, distributed simulation, or tactical data overlays.

• Familiarity with optical system integration, head tracking, eye tracking, and calibration workflows.

• Experience working within USAF or Navy airworthiness and certification frameworks.

• Experience applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and digital engineering practices.

• Experience leading technical teams within a high-growth defense technology organization.

• Strong executive communication skills supporting customer and leadership technical reviews.

Full-Time Employee Benefits

• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision (100% coverage for Employees)

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick, paid holidays, and parental leave

• Short and Long-Term Disability

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• 401(k) Retirement Plan

• Voluntary Worksite Benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity)
  

Note

Red 6 reserves the right to change its current benefits program at any time, in a manner that is consistent with applicable federal and state regulations.

This job description is not a contract and confers no contractual rights, privileges, or benefits on any applicant or potential applicant. Red 6 has the right to change any and all terms of this job description, including, but not limited to, job responsibilities, qualifications, and benefits. Nothing in this job description constitutes an offer or guarantee of employment.

Red Six Aerospace, Inc, is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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