Director of Engineering

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Engineering provides strategic and technical leadership for all aspects of the engineering function. This role is responsible for overseeing the design, development, testing, and certification of aerospace systems and components, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, customer requirements, and company goals. The Director of Engineering plays a critical part in driving innovation, supporting manufacturing, and contributing to long-term product and technology roadmaps. The Director also serves as a liaison with customers, supply chain partners, and regulatory agencies to ensure the successful execution of projects, tooling programs, and audits.

JOB DUTIES

• Lead and develop the engineering department to meet current and future business needs, with an eye toward innovation.
• Drive operational improvements through Design for Excellence (DfX) by applying value engineering, simplification, and standardization techniques to enhance product quality and reduce waste.
• Oversee technical aspects of product development lifecycle — from concept through design, testing, validation, and production support.
• Responsible for departmental hiring, performance evaluation, and career development of engineering staff.
• Develop and monitor departmental goals, ensuring alignment with overall organizational objectives.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with customers on New Product Introduction (NPI) jobs, ensuring clear communication and timely deliverables.
• Oversee the creation of comprehensive engineering packages, including drawings, bills of materials (BOM), routers, process sheets, specifications, and all supporting documentation required for manufacturing.
• Review and sign off on all operation and inspection sheets prior to production release, ensuring technical accuracy and process compliance.
• Lead the development and implementation of manufacturing processes, tooling strategies, and CNC programming standards to support scalable, cost-effective, and high-quality production.
• Support manufacturing teams by resolving technical issues related to process, design, and production flow.
• Oversee the maintenance of all manufacturing tooling and tooling inventory.
• Conduct and approve manufacturing and tooling audits, ensuring tools and processes meet quality and performance standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and provide cost estimates in support of the RFQ process.
• Provide engineering support during internal and external audits, including customer, quality, and regulatory inspections.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration within the engineering department.
• Ensure clear communication across departments, promoting cross-functional cooperation and effective project execution.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or related field); Master’s preferred
• 15 years of engineering experience with at least 7 years in leadership, preferably within the aerospace and defense industry
• Deep knowledge of engineering principles, product development lifecycle, tooling, manufacturing processes, and audit requirements
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance, including CPI reporting, import/export, and energy management
• Proficient with MRP/ERP systems (e.g., Macola), Microsoft Office Suite, and CAM and CAD software (SolidWorks, Siemens NX)
• Knowledgeable in quality standards such as ISO 9001:2015, AS9100, AS13100, NADCAP, and SAE AMS
• Proven ability to lead and develop engineering teams in a manufacturing or industrial settings
• Strong commitment to high-quality standards and continuous improvement
• Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to change, and collaborate effectively