Engineering Leadership & Execution
- Lead and manage day-to-day activities for Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technicians Test Engineering, and Configuration Management.
- Translate program requirements into executable manufacturing plans that meet cost Quality, schedule, and compliance objectives.
- Ensure engineering resources are aligned to 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 interface to Program Management, supporting proposal activities, production planning, and execution.
- Partner with Manufacturing leadership to ensure process readiness, capacity planning, and efficient production flow.
- Collaborate with Supply Chain to support make/buy decisions, tooling strategies, supplier readiness, and manufacturability.
- Work closely with the Quality Director to ensure robust process controls, FAI readiness, and continuous compliance with AS9100 and customer requirements.
New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Lead engineering execution for New Product Introduction efforts, ensuring a disciplined transition from development to production.
- Establish and lead formal NPI gate/phase reviews, ensuring technical, manufacturing, Quality, and supply chain readiness at each phase.
- Drive manufacturability reviews, risk assessments, and production readiness reviews as part of the gated NPI process.
- Ensure tooling, fixtures, test equipment, and work instructions are developed, validated, and released prior to production authorization.
- Identify and mitigate technical schedule, and manufacturing risks early in the NPI lifecycle.
Tooling, Automation & Process Improvement
- Lead development and deployment of production tooling, fixtures, and test equipment.
- Drive automation initiatives to improve safety, Quality, through put, and cost.
- Implement error-proofing(poka-yoke) strategies across manufacturing and test processes.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives leveraging Lean, Six Sigma, and aerospace manufacturing best practices.
Configuration Management & Compliance
- Ensure Disciplined configuration management, change control, and documentation practices.
- Oversee engineering change implementation to minimize disruption to production.
- Maintain compliance with AS9100, customer specifications, and internal engineering standards.
- Support internal and external audits, including customer and regulatory audits.
People Development & Organizational Growth
- Mentor and developed engineering leaders and technical staff.
- Support workforce planning, hiring, and succession development with the engineering organization.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical, Aerospace, or related field).
- Familiarity with ERP and MES systems in a regulated manufacturing environment.
- 12+ years of progressive experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing.
- Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Strong working knowledge of AS9100, FAI, configuration management, and production engineering.
- Demonstrated success leading NPI, tooling development, and manufacturing process improvements.
- Excellent cross-functional communication and leadership skills
Preferred
- Master's degree in engineering or business (MBA)
- Experience with automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
- Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent continuous improvement experience.
- Experience supporting government or defense programs.
Leadership Competencies
- Operationally focused, hands-on leadership style.
- Strong decision-making and prioritization skills.
- Ability to balance engineering rigor with production urgency.
- Collaborative mindset with the ability to influence across organizations.
- Commitment to Quality, safety, and compliance.