What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Engineering – Manufacturing & NPI position at Nickerson Talent Solutions?
Director of Engineering – Manufacturing & NPI
Job Location: Columbus, MS
Base salary: $150K–$180K base bonus upto 10% with full benefits.
We’re hiring a Director of Engineering to lead a critical function supporting advanced aerospace & defense manufacturing programs.
This is a hands-on leadership role with ownership across engineering execution—from concept through production.
What you’ll do:
- Lead Manufacturing Engineering, Test Engineering, and Configuration Management teams
- Drive New Product Introduction (NPI) from development to production
- Partner with Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure production readiness
- Implement Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Drive process optimization, automation, and cost reduction
- Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing engineering team
What we’re looking for:
✔ 12 years in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing
✔ 5 years of engineering leadership experience
✔ Strong background in Manufacturing Engineering and NPI
✔ Experience working in AS9100 environments
Why this role:
- High-impact leadership position with strong visibility
- Opportunity to drive engineering strategy and operational improvements
- Work on mission-critical defense programs in a growing organization
📩 Open to connecting with experienced engineering leaders or referrals.
Salary : $150,000 - $180,000