Manufacturing, Engineering Services

Chief Engineer, Electronic Warfare Payload

El Segundo, CAOnsiteFull TimeChief / Executive$220,000–$300,000 /yrPosted 1 month agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

electronic warfare
payload
architecture
requirements
system-level trade studies
technical risk management
SRR
PDR
CDR
TRR

Nice to have

SAP
SCI
Chief Engineer
Technical Director
fielded EW program
fielded radar program

Role summary

CHAOS Industries, a defense technology company specializing in Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), is seeking a Chief Engineer for its Electronic Warfare (EW) payload. This role involves owning the technical direction from concept to production, leading a multidisciplinary team, and serving as the senior technical authority across RF hardware, digital signal processing, firmware, and software. The Chief Engineer will be responsible for system architecture, design decisions, integration, verification, validation, and transitioning prototypes to production in a build-and-field environment. A Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field and 15+ years of experience in EW, radar, or RF sensing systems are required, along with a strong understanding of EMSO and DoD standards. A current DoD SECRET clearance is mandatory.

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage—domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving threats.

CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 and has raised a total of $1 billion in funding from leading investors, including 8VC, Accel, and Valor Equity Partners. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, and London. For more information, please visit www.chaosinc.com.

Role Overview:

CHAOS is seeking a Chief Engineer to own the technical direction of our electronic warfare (EW) payload, from concept and architecture through qualification, platform integration, field test, and production transition. You will lead a multidisciplinary team and be the senior technical authority across RF hardware, digital signal processing, firmware and software, and systems integration. This is a build-and-field environment where you will be accountable for getting real hardware operating in realistic conditions.

Responsibilities

Serve as the senior technical authority for EW payload architecture, requirements, and design decisions

Lead system-level trade studies, technical risk management, and design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR)

Direct integration of antenna, RF front-end, digital processing, power, thermal, and mechanical subsystems into host platforms

Own system verification and validation, including test planning, anechoic chamber and range testing, and field test readiness

Provide technical leadership across RF, hardware, firmware, software, and systems teams, and mentor senior engineers

Partner with program management, manufacturing, and customers to translate mission needs into executable technical plans

Drive configuration control and the transition from prototype to production and fielding, including software and waveform updates

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Systems, or Electrical Engineering, or a related field

15+ years of experience developing EW, radar, or RF sensing and signal processing systems, including technical leadership of a program or major subsystem

Detailed understanding of EMSO, adversary system operation, EM countermeasure and CCM techniques and their implementation

Hands on experience with EW technique verification, validation, field and operational testing

Demonstrated experience taking a high TRL RF system through full lifecycle development, including field or flight test

Strong command of RF systems engineering, digital signal processing, and DoD standards for safety, environments, and test

Current or recent DoD SECRET clearance

Preferred Requirements:

Master's degree or higher

Current or recent DoD TOP SECRET security clearance; eligibility for SAP and/or SCI indoc.

Prior role as Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, or Technical Director on a fielded EW or radar program

Experience with SDR, FPGA-based signal processing, and RF/digital co-design

Experience with airborne small form-factor EW subsystem development for tactical aircraft and/or missile application

Experience with a prime integrator or in a fast-moving defense startup

Why CHAOS?

Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company

Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more

Our Perks: Free daily lunch while you're working onsite, fully-stocked kitchen, unlimited PTO, casual dress code

Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and (coming soon!) annual bonuses

Team Growth: 500+ employees and counting across 5 global offices

Salary Range: $220,000 - $300,000

The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as bonus, equity, and benefits. If your compensation requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations.

Recruiting Agencies: CHAOS Industries does not accept unsolicited resumes or outreach. Unsolicited submissions will not be reviewed or compensated.

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