Director of Engineering
Location: Newport News, VA
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 program execution across multiple concurrent projects.
Plan and allocate engineering resources, including staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and workload management.
Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing engineering team through coaching and career development.
Monitor engineering milestones and provide regular project updates to senior leadership.
Identify project risks and implement corrective actions through continuous improvement initiatives.
Establish and maintain engineering governance, design review processes, and technical standards.
Conduct and oversee engineering design reviews to ensure technical excellence and regulatory compliance.
Define departmental goals, KPIs, and strategic initiatives aligned with business objectives.
Serve as the primary technical liaison supporting cross-functional teams, including Sales and Operations.
Collaborate on proposal development by evaluating technical requirements and project feasibility.
Foster a culture of innovation while maintaining a strong focus on product safety, manufacturability, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
Stay current on emerging engineering technologies, tools, and industry best practices.
Support quality management systems, including AS9100 and Lean initiatives.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
10+ years of progressive engineering management experience, preferably within the aerospace or defense industry.
Experience with aerospace product development, FAA certification processes, and Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) programs.
Strong knowledge of FAR compliance within FAA and/or military certification environments.
Minimum of 5 years of experience with FAA regulatory compliance and engineering approval authority.
Experience managing multiple engineering programs simultaneously.
Strong leadership, organizational, project management, and decision-making skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively.
Proficiency with SolidWorks and Microsoft Office.
Ability to analyze technical and business requirements and develop effective solutions.
U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency required.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
Background in Business Administration or Finance.
Experience with commercial and Department of Defense (DoD) contracting processes.
Additional Requirements
Ability to travel up to 50% domestically and internationally.
Ability to occasionally lift or move items weighing over 50 pounds.
Participation in a Drug-Free Workplace drug testing program is required.
Commitment to ongoing professional development, engineering training, and compliance with quality management systems.
What You'll Bring
Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Strong strategic planning and resource management skills.
Experience driving continuous improvement and engineering excellence.
Commitment to delivering high-quality, compliant engineering solutions on schedule.
Passion for innovation, collaboration, and developing engineering talent.
