Engineering Director

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 teams through all phases of product development, from concept to production.

Oversee multiple engineering projects while balancing priorities, schedules, staffing, and budgets.

Recruit, mentor, and develop engineering staff to build a high-performing organization.

Track project progress, engineering milestones, and resource utilization.

Identify technical or schedule risks and implement effective corrective actions.

Establish engineering standards, design review processes, and best practices.

Lead technical design reviews to ensure quality, performance, and regulatory compliance.

Develop departmental objectives, performance metrics, and long-term engineering strategies.

Partner with Operations, Sales, and other cross-functional teams to support business goals.

Provide technical input during proposal development, including feasibility reviews and project planning.

Promote innovation while maintaining a focus on safety, manufacturability, quality, and cost.

Stay informed on emerging engineering technologies, tools, and industry trends.

Support quality systems, Lean initiatives, and AS9100 compliance.

Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

At least 10 years of progressive engineering management experience, preferably within aerospace or defense.

Experience leading aerospace product development programs.

Working knowledge of FAA certification requirements, including Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) programs.

Strong understanding of FAR regulations and FAA and/or military certification processes.

Minimum of 5 years of experience supporting FAA regulatory compliance and engineering approval activities.

Demonstrated experience managing multiple engineering projects simultaneously.

Strong leadership, project management, organizational, and decision-making skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical information clearly.

Proficiency with SolidWorks and Microsoft Office applications.

Ability to evaluate technical and business requirements and develop practical solutions.

U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status required.

Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications Degree or coursework in Business Administration or Finance.

Experience supporting commercial and Department of Defense (DoD) contracts.

Additional Requirements Ability to travel up to 50%, including domestic and international travel.

Ability to occasionally lift or move items weighing more than 50 pounds.

Must be able to participate in a Drug-Free Workplace testing program.

Commitment to professional development and maintaining compliance with engineering and quality standards.

Ideal Candidate Experienced leader of multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Strong background in strategic planning, resource management, and engineering operations.

Driven to improve processes, efficiency, and engineering performance.

Committed to delivering compliant, high-quality products on schedule.

Passionate about mentoring engineers and fostering a collaborative, innovative work environment.