Chief Technology Officer (CTO) / Vice President of Engineering

Location: Shanghai, China

Industry: eVTOL / Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)

Overview

A rapidly growing aerospace technology company focused on next-generation electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is seeking an exceptional technical leader to serve as Chief Technology Officer or Vice President of Engineering.

The company is developing a passenger-grade eVTOL platform designed for advanced urban and regional air mobility applications. The aircraft program has progressed through early design and prototype phases and is now entering a critical stage leading toward certification and industrialization.

This role will lead the overall engineering organization and be responsible for driving the technology roadmap, certification strategy, and successful transition from development into certification and production.

Key Responsibilities

Technology & Engineering Leadership

Serve as the highest technical authority within the organization, defining the long-term engineering and technology roadmap for the aircraft platform.
Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams across aerodynamics, propulsion systems, structures, avionics, flight control, and system integration.
Ensure the aircraft design meets the highest safety, reliability, and performance standards required for civil aviation.

Certification Strategy

Take ownership of the aircraft’s certification roadmap and guide the program through the next phases toward full type certification.
Act as the primary technical interface with aviation regulatory authorities and certification bodies.

Program Execution

Oversee engineering execution across design, validation, ground testing, and flight testing.
Drive integration across critical technical domains including:
Aircraft overall design and systems integration
Propeller/rotor systems and electric propulsion
Noise, vibration, and structural dynamics (NVH)

Engineering Organization Development

Build, mentor, and scale a high-performance global engineering team.
Establish engineering processes, safety culture, and development standards suitable for a certified aerospace program.

Technical Decision Making

Provide leadership during flight test and certification phases, making critical engineering decisions that balance safety, performance, cost, and schedule.

Candidate Profile

Experience

15+ years of experience in aerospace or aviation engineering.
Proven leadership experience as a senior technical leader (CTO, VP Engineering, Chief Engineer, or similar).
Direct involvement in the development and certification of complex aircraft programs.

Technical Expertise

Strong expertise in at least one of the following areas, with working knowledge across the broader aircraft system architecture:

Aircraft overall design and integration
Propeller / rotor aerodynamics and electric propulsion
Structural dynamics, vibration control, and acoustic performance (NVH)

Global Experience

Experience working within international aerospace environments or collaborating with global engineering teams.

Education

Master’s degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.

Compensation & Package

Executive-level compensation: USD 500,000+ annual package
Significant equity participation
Comprehensive relocation support to Shanghai, including family relocation assistance
Opportunity to lead the engineering strategy of a high-growth aerospace program shaping the future of urban air mobility

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