Chief Engineer

About LiquidPiston

LiquidPiston (LPI) is reinventing the internal combustion engine. Our patented rotary X-engine platform enables ultra-efficient, compact, and power-dense engines with applications across aerospace, defense, commercial, and mobility sectors. We’re building the future of propulsion—and we’re looking for visionary leaders to join us on this journey.

Position Overview

As Chief Engineer, you will be at the forefront of bringing LPI’s revolutionary High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle (HEHC) rotary engine to market. Collaborating closely with company leadership, cross-functional engineering teams, and external partners, you will lead the technical execution of a major engine development program from prototype to production. This is a hands-on, lab-centered role for an experienced, strategic, and inventive engineering leader who thrives in an R&D environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Program Execution

  • Lead the technical execution of a next-generation rotary engine program, from concept through commercialization.

  • Collaborate with the VP of Engineering and senior leadership to define and drive the engine development roadmap.

  • Balance innovation with practical constraints—optimizing for function, cost, manufacturability, and performance.

• Team Management & Development

  • Manage a multidisciplinary team of engineers and contractors, including test, design, development, modeling, and calibration specialists.

  • Recruit top engineering talent and build a cohesive, high-performance team.

  • Foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Design, Testing, and Integration

  • Oversee the development, design integration, testing, and validation of engine systems and subcomponents.

  • Identify opportunities to improve performance, durability, and efficiency through iterative design and hands-on prototyping.

  • Coordinate BOM development, procurement, and resource allocation to meet project goals.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

  • Interface with key stakeholders including customers, partners, and investors.

  • Participate in technical presentations, demos, and meetings to support business development and strategic partnerships.

  • Maintain clear, coherent communication across technical and non-technical audiences.

• Industry Research & Innovation

  • Stay on the leading edge of industry trends, research, and emerging technologies in high-efficiency engines.

  • Drive innovation and original thinking to solve complex design and engineering challenges.

You Bring:

• 10+ years of experience leading engine development programs or complex mechanical systems.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (MS or PhD strongly preferred).

• Deep expertise in combustion engines, rotary systems, thermofluid components, and electromechanical integration.

• Proven ability to manage complex systems, optimizing tradeoffs between size, weight, cost, and performance.

• Proficiency with design and simulation tools (SolidWorks, FEA, modeling, etc.).

• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills.

• Hands-on, lab-based engineering experience—willing to be deeply involved in prototyping and testing.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Skills

• Advanced experience with engine packaging and system-level integration.

• Experience with electro-hydraulic-mechanical systems.

• Familiarity with CAD, simulation tools, and data analysis platforms (e.g., MS Project, Excel, MATLAB).

• Track record of recruiting and building effective engineering teams.

• Comfort presenting technical content to investors, customers, and partners.

Benefits & Perks

• Flexible PTO: We value work-life balance and encourage time to rest and recharge.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage—you choose what works best for you.

• Equity Participation: Permanent employees receive RSUs to share in our success.

• 401(k) Match: We offer a 401k w/100% matching up to 3% of your salary and then 50% of contributions between 3-5%

• Career Growth: Ongoing training, mentorship, and learning opportunities to accelerate your growth.

Our Culture

At LiquidPiston, we embrace challenges, move fast, and celebrate curiosity. Our team thrives on collaboration, creativity, and perseverance. We understand that innovation involves risk—and we’re not afraid to fail forward.

Equal Opportunity Employer

LiquidPiston, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

All offers of employment at LiquidPiston are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screening.