Director / Manager, Engineering

Job Category: Engineering
Location: Golden Triangle area, Mississippi (near West Point and Starkville)
Schedule: Full-time, onsite

We are seeking a hands-on engineering leader to direct Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technicians, Test Engineering, and Configuration Management in an aerospace and defense manufacturing environment.

Engineering Leadership & Execution

• Lead and manage day-to-day activities across Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technicians, Test Engineering, and Configuration Management.
• Translate program requirements into executable manufacturing plans that meet cost, quality, schedule, and compliance objectives.
• Align engineering resources with production priorities and program ramp-ups.
• Establish clear accountability, metrics, and performance expectations across the engineering organization.

Manufacturing & Program Support

• Serve as the primary engineering partner to Program Management, supporting proposals, production planning, and program execution.
• Partner with Manufacturing leadership on process readiness, capacity planning, and efficient production flow.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain on make/buy decisions, tooling strategies, supplier readiness, and manufacturability.
• Work with the Quality Director to maintain process controls, first article inspection (FAI) readiness, and compliance with AS9100 and customer requirements.

New Product Introduction

• Lead engineering execution for new product introductions, from development through production.
• Establish and lead formal NPI gate and phase reviews to confirm technical, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain readiness.
• Drive manufacturability reviews, risk assessments, and production readiness reviews.
• Ensure tooling, fixtures, test equipment, and work instructions are developed, validated, and released before production authorization.
• Identify and address technical, schedule, and manufacturing risks early in the NPI process.

Tooling, Automation & Process Improvement

• Lead the development and deployment of production tooling, fixtures, and test equipment.
• Drive automation initiatives that improve safety, quality, throughput, and cost.
• Implement error-proofing strategies across manufacturing and test processes.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts using Lean, Six Sigma, and aerospace manufacturing practices.

Configuration Management & Compliance

• Maintain disciplined configuration management, change control, and engineering documentation.
• Oversee engineering changes while minimizing disruption to production.
• Maintain compliance with AS9100, customer specifications, and internal engineering standards.
• Support internal, external, customer, and regulatory audits.

People Development & Organizational Growth

• Mentor and develop engineering leaders and technical staff.
• Support workforce planning, hiring, and succession development within engineering.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical, Aerospace, or a related engineering field.
• 12 years of progressive experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100, FAI, configuration management, and production engineering.
• Demonstrated success leading NPI, tooling development, and manufacturing process improvements.
• Familiarity with ERP and MES systems in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication, decision-making, and cross-functional leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or an MBA.
• Experience with automation, robotics, or advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent continuous improvement experience.
• Experience supporting government or defense programs.

Leadership Style

We’re looking for an operationally focused, hands-on leader who can set priorities, balance engineering rigor with production needs, work effectively across teams, and maintain a strong commitment to quality, safety, and compliance.