Job Description
City/State: Colorado Springs CO USA
Type and Schedule: Full-Time Salary/Exempt On-Site
Annualized Salary Range: $221312.00 - $301496.00 ( commensurate with experience ) .
About Us: Caliola is a woman-owned small business that is improving and protecting our Nation's way of life through secure collaboration and resilient communications. Our engineers subject matter experts and veterans are developing and delivering trusted solutions for mission-critical communications. We seek teammates who share our core values:
I 3 for C 3 - Insight Innovation and Integrity for Command Control and Communications
These values guide how we work every day. At Caliola you will find technically challenging mission-focused work within a flexible and collaborative culture that is uncommon in the defense industry. We offer flexible PTO subsidized health insurance 401(k) matching professional development and a competitive compensation structure designed to support long-term growth.
Our performance has driven rapid growth and national recognition being named twice to the Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ and inclusion on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies. We have also been recognized as a Colorado Company to Watch a ColoradoBiz Top Company in Aerospace & Defense and the #2 Gazette's Best Workplace (medium size) in 2025.
Headquartered in Colorado Springs CO we operate in a leading aerospace and defense hub with proximity to major military installations. Set against the Rocky Mountains the region offers year-round outdoor recreation and a high quality of life for professionals and families considering relocation.
As a part of our selection process we ask all applicants to complete a short 10-12-minute survey from Culture Index. This is a survey not a test; no passing or failing. The purpose of this survey is to identify your unique strengths as they relate to our open positions. Please copy and paste the following link into a separate browser window to complete: https://go.cultureindex.com/s/5i6Gpe3wge
Position Description: The Vice President of Engineering (VP of Engineering) will lead Caliola's engineering and program management teams ensuring delivery of high-quality solutions innovative products and mission-critical systems. This executive will drive technical excellence operational efficiency and strategic alignment with DoD priorities while fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. The VP of Engineering will also support the evolution of DoD-funded solutions into marketable products and champion adoption of new tools processes and AI-driven knowledge management within the engineering organization.
Essential Responsibilitie s :
- Leadership Management and Accountability (LMA) for a team comprising the leaders of Caliola's engineering and program management teams.
- Ensure that standards for quality are maintained across a diverse organization that both delivers engineering solutions and develops hardware and software products.
- Identify and resolve strategic staffing gaps in the capabilities of the engineering organization (e.g. identify need to hire staff in a key emerging discipline).
- Work with leaders of Caliola's engineering teams to identify when new tools (e.g. AI languages frameworks etc.) should be integrated into production development.
- Work with Chief Scientist and business development team to ensure that solutions developed with DoD funding can evolve into marketable products or components.
- Work with Chief Scientist and business development team to architect solutions that integrate multiple capabilities drawn from Caliola's engineering portfolio.
- Support major proposal efforts that span multiple engineering disciplines.
- Champion the development and sustainment of AI-driven knowledge management tools for collaboration within the engineering organization and with other teams.
- Ensure that compliance with key certifications to include CMMC and AS9100 are maintained with Caliola's engineering organization.
What We Require :
- MS in Electrical Engineering Computer Science or a related discipline (or equivalent full time professional experience).
- Experience with system level design of complex hardware and/or software systems.
- Leadership experience in an organization that works with or within the DoD.
- Understanding of DoD contracting and its impact on engineering execution.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage challenging situations with grace and professionalism.
- Ability to effectively lead a geographically distributed team from Caliola's headquarters in Colorado Springs CO.
- Ability to travel periodically with an emphasis on critical meetings at key customer sites across the United States and Europe.
- Must be able to obtain a US Top - Secret security clearance.
What We Value :
- Demonstrated knowledge of wireless and/or satellite communications.
- PhD in Electrical Engineering Computer Science or a related discipline.
- Experience leading the development and delivery of products to the DoD.
- Experience with formal DoD program management processes and best practices.
- Active US Secret or Top-Secret security clearance.
Minimum Physical Requirements:
- Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and transition between the two as required .
- Ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds occasionally.
- Ability to bend stoop reach and navigate stairs or uneven surfaces during site visits.
- Dexterity to grasp handle and manipulate small items such as laptops cellphones USB drives business cards and documents.
- Ability to travel periodically including by car or airplane for customer meetings and site visits.
- Ability to maintain focus and attention to detail for extended periods while reviewing technical documents proposals and digital information.
Please contact Human Resources with questions about ADA accommodations.
Expression of Interest: By applying to this job you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities at Caliola Engineering. Should a match be identified between your skillset and Caliola's requirements for this or a future opening you may be contacted.
At Caliola we believe that true innovation can only occur when teammates bring their authentic selves to collaborate in a supportive encouraging environment. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability or veteran status age or any other federally protected class.
Caliola participates in E-Verify an internet-based system used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. Upon hire all employees are required to complete Form I-9 to verify their identity and employment eligibility to work in the United States.
All candidates will be required to pass a basic background screening.
Skills Required
- MS in Electrical Engineering Computer Science or related discipline
- Experience with system level design of complex hardware and/or software systems
- Leadership experience in an organization that works with or within the DoD
- Understanding of DoD contracting and its impact on engineering execution
- Ability to obtain a US Top-Secret security clearance
Caliola Engineering Compensation & Benefits Highlights
- Healthcare Strength—The company lists medical dental and vision insurance alongside life and disability coverage and an FSA covering core protections many candidates expect. Public materials also note wellness programs strengthening the health-related offering.
- Retirement Support—A 401(k) with company matching is explicitly stated a notable differentiator for a small firm. This adds long-term financial value in addition to base pay.
- Fair & Transparent Compensation—Job postings show explicit salary ranges and materials reference a documented equal pay policy signaling clarity in pay practices. This transparency complements the broader benefits package.
Caliola Engineering Insights
What We Do
Caliola Engineering LLC’s staff of systems security and software engineers team with PhD researchers to identify and solve mission-critical problems for customers across the US Government. We have subject matter expertise in wireless communications cryptography protected MILSATCOM software defined radio and unmanned airborne systems. Our team has experience developing and transitioning innovative technologies to Programs of Record. We are a 100% woman owned small business (WOSB) headquartered in Colorado Springs CO. We focus on NAICS codes 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical Engineering and Life Sciences) and 541330 (Engineering Services).
Why Work With Us
This is an opportunity to join a rapidly-growing and inclusive team that is solving tough problems. Caliola offers a flexible collaborative and open culture that is unique in the defense industry. We offer generous benefits including subsidized health insurance Open PTO 401(k) matching and a scalable competitive pay structure.
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Caliola Engineering Offices
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Date Posted
06/02/2026
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