Vice President of Engineering

Vice President of Engineering

Location: Poway, CA
Company: Tek84, Inc.

Position Summary

Tek84 is seeking a dynamic and hands-on Vice President of Engineering to lead the strategy, development, and execution of advanced security screening technologies, with a focus on next-generation X-ray systems. This role will drive innovation from concept through commercialization, ensuring scalable, high-quality product delivery aligned with company growth objectives.

The VP of Engineering will oversee all engineering functions, including hardware, software, systems, and manufacturing engineering, and will play a critical role in New Product Introduction (NPI), product lifecycle management, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing, multidisciplinary engineering organization.
• Establish a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Sales, and Service.

Product Development & Innovation

• Drive the design and development of advanced X-ray imaging systems and related technologies.
• Lead architecture decisions for complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and safety standards for X-ray equipment.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Own and execute the NPI process from concept through production ramp.
• Ensure strong DFM, DFT, and scalable design practices.
• Accelerate time-to-market without compromising quality.

Manufacturing & Operational Integration

• Partner closely with manufacturing for seamless product transfer to production.
• Drive cost reduction, yield improvements, and design optimization.
• Support supplier strategy and component qualification.

Program & Portfolio Management

• Oversee engineering program execution, timelines, and resource planning.
• Deliver on-time, on-budget results across the portfolio.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to quality systems and regulatory requirements.
• Support product certifications (ANSI).

Qualifications

Experience

• 12 years of progressive engineering leadership experience in manufacturing.
• Proven experience developing X-ray or imaging-based hardware systems (strongly preferred).
• Strong track record in NPI for complex electro-mechanical products.
• Experience scaling engineering teams in growth-stage environments.

Technical Expertise

• Deep understanding of X-ray systems, imaging, detectors, or radiation-based technologies preferred.
• Strong background in electro-mechanical systems and system integration.
• Expertise in DFM, DFT, and lifecycle management.

Leadership

• Strong business acumen with P&L awareness.
• Proven cross-functional leadership with operations and supply chain.
• Executive-level communication and decision-making skills.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required; Master’s or MBA preferred.