Engineering Director

Job Type: Direct Hire

Starting Salary: $90,000+ annually (higher based on experience)

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Director of Engineering to lead a multi-disciplinary engineering organization across Mechanical, Structural, Electrical, and Aerodynamic disciplines. This leadership role is responsible for driving engineering strategy, overseeing technical execution, managing program delivery, and developing high-performing teams throughout the product development lifecycle—from concept and design through qualification testing and production.

The ideal candidate has extensive engineering leadership experience within the aerospace or defense industry and a proven ability to manage multiple complex programs while ensuring quality, compliance, and on-time delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering teams through all phases of product development, from concept to production.
• Oversee multiple engineering projects while balancing priorities, schedules, staffing, and budgets.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop engineering staff to build a high-performing organization.
• Track project progress, engineering milestones, and resource utilization.
• Identify technical or schedule risks and implement effective corrective actions.
• Establish engineering standards, design review processes, and best practices.
• Lead technical design reviews to ensure quality, performance, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop departmental objectives, performance metrics, and long-term engineering strategies.
• Partner with Operations, Sales, and other cross-functional teams to support business goals.
• Provide technical input during proposal development, including feasibility reviews and project planning.
• Promote innovation while maintaining a focus on safety, manufacturability, quality, and cost.
• Stay informed on emerging engineering technologies, tools, and industry trends.
• Support quality systems, Lean initiatives, and AS9100 compliance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 10 years of progressive engineering management experience, preferably within aerospace or defense.
• Experience leading aerospace product development programs.
• Working knowledge of FAA certification requirements, including Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) programs.
• Strong understanding of FAR regulations and FAA and/or military certification processes.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience supporting FAA regulatory compliance and engineering approval activities.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple engineering projects simultaneously.
• Strong leadership, project management, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical information clearly.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to evaluate technical and business requirements and develop practical solutions.
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status required.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree or coursework in Business Administration or Finance.
• Experience supporting commercial and Department of Defense (DoD) contracts.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel up to 50%, including domestic and international travel.
• Ability to occasionally lift or move items weighing more than 50 pounds.
• Must be able to participate in a Drug-Free Workplace testing program.
• Commitment to professional development and maintaining compliance with engineering and quality standards.

Ideal Candidate

• Experienced leader of multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong background in strategic planning, resource management, and engineering operations.
• Driven to improve processes, efficiency, and engineering performance.
• Committed to delivering compliant, high-quality products on schedule.
• Passionate about mentoring engineers and fostering a collaborative, innovative work environment.