Chief Ops Engineer

About the role

This position is for a Chief Operations Engineer in Boulder, CO. In this role, you will be providing day-to-day engineering leadership, ensuring mission readiness, and serving as the primary technical interface between the contractor team, government customer, and cross-functional stakeholders. The Chief Operations Engineer drives engineering rigor, process discipline, and continuous improvement across all operational domains. You will also have the opportunity to grow and sharpen your skills with other talented members of Centil. 

Please note: this role is required to be onsite in Boulder.

What you'll do

• Serve as the senior engineering lead for all operational and sustainment activities on the program
• Provide technical direction and oversight to a multi-discipline engineering team including systems, network, software, hardware, cybersecurity, and test engineers
• Act as the primary technical point of contact with the customer, supporting program reviews, technical interchange meetings and milestone events
• Develop and maintain operational engineering plans, SOPs, and configuration management processes
• Lead 24x7 incident response, root cause analysis, and corrective action for operational anomalies and system failures
• Track all problem reports (PRs) and deficiency reports (DRs) generated at the sites through the lifecycle of the PRs and DRs including the associated impacts and resolutions
• Lead the planning and build-out of crew teams to support the 2027 launch, including participation in the hiring and selection process

Required Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret clearance, with Top Secret eligibility
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 15+ years of progressive engineering experience, with at least 5 years in a senior technical leadership role on DoD programs
• Experience with satellite ground systems, command & control (C2), space domain awareness, or space-based platforms
• Experience in OPIR

Preferred/Bonus Qualifications

• Previously certified combat mission ready space operator

Other Company Requirements

In addition to job-specific requirements, Centil believes it is important for all employees to possess the following skills/characteristics:

• Strong communication (written and verbal) and presentation skills.  Ability to passionately deliver high-level messaging to various types of audiences--this will eventually include senior leaders.  Ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical personnel
• Self-motivated individual who actively and independently seeks out opportunities for learning and development
• Collaborates well; enjoys working as part of a team
• DoD Secret or higher clearance is preferred.  All applicants must be US citizens eligible for a US Government security clearance

Expected Salary Range

Depending on experience and skillset, most candidates will earn between $140,000 and $180,000 per year.

Please note that the salary range is a general guideline only. We consider many factors when determining salaries including, but are not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education, training, certifications, key skills, and mission/customer familiarity. We combine these factors with market and business considerations to extend a job offer.

Benefits

Centil offers a comprehensive benefits package including the following:

• Generous PTO for vacation, personal, or sick days
• Ten (10) paid holidays per year: 8 fixed holidays, plus 2 additional Floating Holidays per year (taken at Employee's discretion)
• Flex time and the ability to create your own schedule
• Discretionary bi-annual bonus plan, based on individual and company performance
• 401K retirement plan with immediately vested company contributions, no matching required
• Healthcare coverage plan through an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA)
• Employer-paid Life, Long-Term Disability, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurances
• Access to optional, employee-paid Life, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity insurances
• Access to a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid training and conference attendance
• Additional benefits, as needed, for significant life events: parental leave, bereavement leave, jury duty pay, military leave pay
• One-time home office reimbursement
• Phone plan reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services, supporting emotional health and well-being of employees and their families

Centil is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.