Job Description

A confidential defense precision manufacturing company — supporting U.S. Naval and aerospace programs with complex, build-to-print components and assemblies — is seeking an Engineering Technical Director to lead and scale its engineering function. This is a senior leadership opportunity for a hands-on engineering executive who thrives in a high-accountability, production-driven environment where quality, delivery, and margin matter.

This role is ideal for a defense or aerospace manufacturing engineering leader with experience in build-to-print environments, AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality systems, and a track record of building high-performance teams. Naval shipbuilding, marine systems, and maritime defense backgrounds are particularly valued.

The Engineering Technical Director has full ownership of the engineering function, including:

• Manufacturing Engineering
• Cost Estimating & Pre-Production Planning
• Quality Engineering
• CNC Programming
• Engineering Specialists & Technical Staff

You'll transform engineering into a competitive advantage — improving throughput, estimating accuracy, first article success rates, and on-time delivery performance across all active programs.

Key Responabilities

Build & Lead a High-Performance Engineering Organization

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-discipline engineering team across manufacturing engineering, estimating, quality, and CNC programming functions
• Build organizational capacity and capability aligned to current and projected program growth
• Establish clear performance expectations tied to delivery, quality, and margin outcomes
• Drive technical depth through structured coaching, career development, and performance management

Transform Estimating & Pre-Production into a Competitive Advantage

• Establish standardized, repeatable cost estimating methodologies and pricing models
• Ensure all quotes are technically sound, manufacturable, and aligned with shop floor capability
• Translate winning bids into executable manufacturing plans and work packages with precision
• Reduce quote cycle time while increasing margin confidence and program execution accuracy

Drive Throughput & On-Time Delivery Performance

• Own engineering-driven KPIs including throughput, estimating cycle time, quality escapes, first article success, and on-time delivery
• Identify and eliminate engineering bottlenecks impacting production flow
• Accelerate new program launches and first article inspection (FAI) success rates
• Partner with Operations, PMO, and Production Planning to improve schedule adherence and delivery performance

Operational Discipline & Process Excellence

• Standardize engineering processes, manufacturing methods, and documentation to enable consistent, error-free execution
• Drive continuous improvement across cross-functional handoffs, documentation clarity, and departmental workflows
• Ensure compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, and applicable defense quality standards

Cross-Functional Leadership & Business Partnership

• Partner with Business Development to evaluate new opportunities, assess technical fit, and identify bid risks early
• Support customer-facing interactions requiring senior engineering credibility and subject matter expertise
• Collaborate with PMO and Production Planning to align engineering capacity with program demand and forecasted workload
• Contribute to operational strategy, execution priorities, and long-range business planning

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering — Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive experience in complex, precision manufacturing environments
• Proven track record leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams in a defense, aerospace, or regulated manufacturing setting
• Demonstrated experience in build-to-print or highly specified manufacturing environments
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, cost drivers, and quality systems
• Strong proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and blueprint interpretation
• Experience with AS9100, ISO 9001, or similar quality management systems
• U.S. Citizenship required (defense program security requirements)

You should be proficient in:

• Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
• ITAR Compliance
• AS9100 Experience