Chief Engineer

About Oshkosh AeroTech, an Oshkosh company

Oshkosh AeroTech is a leading provider of aviation ground support products, gate equipment and airport services to commercial airlines, airports, air-freight carriers, ground handling and military customers. Oshkosh AeroTech offers products that make a difference in people’s lives by supporting those in our communities who do some of the toughest work. They own many of the most trusted brands in the air transportation industry, including LEKTRO®, JetAire®, JetPower®, AmpTekÔ, Jetway®, and more.

The Chief Engineer (NPD Defense) leads and manages a multidisciplinary engineering team focused on the development, integration, and support of defense and military product lines. This role is responsible for driving new product development with a strong emphasis on mechanical engineering excellence, system integration, and technical leadership.

This position operates at the intersection of leadership and deep technical expertise. Depending on organizational structure, this role may function as a combined people leader and technical lead or evolve into a highly technical chief/principal engineer role with reduced direct management responsibilities. The Chief Engineer plays a critical role in shaping the future engineering structure, including the separation and maturation of new product development and sustaining engineering capabilities.

The role requires strong mechanical engineering fundamentals, particularly in mobile HVAC and power systems, along with the ability to guide complex system-level design, ensure compliance with military standards, and drive innovation across a growing defense portfolio.

YOUR IMPACT

These duties are not meant to be all-inclusive and other duties may be assigned

• Lead and develop an engineering team consisting of engineers, designers, and technicians, with flexibility to scale or restructure based on future organizational design

• Provide both technical leadership and people leadership, balancing system-level engineering guidance with team development, accountability, and performance management

• Collaborate on the development and execution of engineering strategy across defense-focused product lines, including both new product development and legacy product support with Product Management

• Lead the continued development and expansion of key defense products while supporting the transition away from low-volume legacy programs

• Establish and reinforce strong mechanical engineering practices, including form, fit, function, system packaging, and overall design integrity

• Guide system-level design across integrated mechanical, thermal, and power systems, including:

  • Mobile HVAC systems (compressors, condensers, evaporators, thermal calculations)

  • Airflow and pressurization requirements, including aircraft cooling applications and air start

  • Power generation and delivery systems requiring stable, controlled voltage outputs

• Collaborate closely with electrical, controls, and software engineers to ensure full system integration across multidisciplinary domains

• Support and influence the evolution of organizational structure, including the separation of new product development and sustaining engineering workstreams

• Ensure engineering work aligns with military and defense program requirements, including MIL-SPEC compliance, first article inspections, and documentation standards

• Partner with program management and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on project execution and technical requirements

• Serve as a key technical decision-maker influencing product direction, architecture, and adoption of new technologies

• Act as a technical advisor and mentor across the engineering organization

• Interface with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to resolve complex technical challenges

• Contribute to budgeting, forecasting, and product line strategy, including understanding business performance and P&L considerations

• Drive continuous improvement in engineering processes, development methodologies, and system integration approaches to local and Oshkosh policies

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Accredited Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field with ten (10) or more years of related experience

• Exposure to both new product development and sustaining engineering environments

• Experience working in cross-functional teams including controls, electrical, and software engineering

STANDOUT QUALIFICATIONS

• Accredited Master’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

• Strong mechanical engineering background with emphasis on system-level design rather than pure CAD execution

• Experience with mobile HVAC systems, thermal management, or air handling systems in industrial or heavy equipment environments

• Understanding of integrated power and air systems, including voltage regulation and system stability requirements

• Experience working on defense or military programs, including familiarity with MIL-SPEC standards and compliance documentation

• Familiarity with Siemens NX and Teamcenter or similar PLM/CAD systems

• Strong business acumen, including exposure to product strategy, cost management, or P&L considerations

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Internal Contacts

  • Frequent interaction with engineering leadership, cross-functional teams, and program stakeholders

• External Contacts

  • Regular interaction with customers, suppliers, and external partners

• Communication Skills

  • Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences

• Decision-Making

  • Significant responsibility for high-impact technical and organizational decisions

• Complexity, Judgment and Problem Solving

  • Ability to operate in a dynamic environment with evolving organizational structure and competing priorities

• Supervisory/Managerial

  • May include direct leadership responsibilities depending on final role structure

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Physical Demands

  • Frequent: Standing, Walking, Sitting, Reaching, Hearing, Talking, Visual, Typing

  • Occasional: Driving, Fine Dexterity, Manual Dexterity

  • Seldom: Lifting/Carrying 25 lbs., Pushing/Pulling 25 lbs.

• Non-Physical Demands

  • Frequent: Analysis/Reasoning, Communication, Reading, Writing, Sustained Mental Activity

• Environmental Demands

  • Frequent: Independent work, task switching, detailed technical work

  • Occasional: High volume interactions

• Work Schedule

  • Routine shift hours with occasional additional time required

• Demands/Deadlines

  • High volume, variable work demands requiring strong prioritization and adaptability

#LI-TM1

Pay Range:

$103,300.00 - $177,700.00

The above pay range reflects the minimum and maximum target pay for the position across all U.S. locations. Within this range, individual pay is determined by various factors, including the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education and skills, as well as the equity of pay among team members in similar positions. Beyond offering a competitive total rewards package, we prioritize a people-first culture and offer various opportunities to support team member growth and success.

Oshkosh is committed to working with and offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to disability for any part of the employment process, please contact us at [email protected].

Oshkosh Corporation is a merit-based Equal Opportunity Employer. Job opportunities are open for application to all qualified individuals and selection decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristic. To the extent that information is provided or collected regarding categories as provided by law it will in no way affect the decision regarding an employment application.

Oshkosh Corporation will not discharge or in any manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with Oshkosh Corporation's legal duty to furnish information.

Certain positions with Oshkosh Corporation require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations or the Export Administration Regulations. Applicants for these positions may need to be "U.S. Persons," as defined in these regulations. Generally, a "U.S. Person" is a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or an individual who has been admitted as a refugee or granted asylum.