Vice President of Engineering / CTO (Manned Aircraft Engineering & Propeller Design is required)

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