Robert Half Executive Search has been exclusively retained to identify a Director of Engineering for a prominent organization that supplies critical systems and components to the aerospace and defense markets.
The Director of Engineering sets the strategy and standards for the implementation of functionality and services for ensuring quality deliverables from both the in-house technical teams and external providers. This role is crucial in overseeing the entire engineering process to meet the company standards. The position directly manages several teams across various engineering disciplines, including RF microwave engineers, mechanical engineers, and sustaining teams. This position may manage teams across multiple locations and will be critical in leading a small team in a competitive, fast-paced, and collaborative culture at the West Caldwell, New Jersey site.
Requirement
This individual must have a proven track record and experience in passive RF microwave product/components, managing full product design, as well as taking a product from customer order/inception through execution/delivery - full NPI.
Working Environment
- Location: West Caldwell, New Jersey.
- Requirement: 5 days a week, in-office, full-time.
- The site houses 130 employees. Products are designed at this location before transitioning to production.
- The culture is collaborative, with a competitive edge and a mix of long-tenured employees and newer staff. This will be critical to your success in driving technical excellence and team cohesion.
- Involved in daily engineering meetings, technical problem-solving, and managing status updates for ongoing projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop an environment that utilizes site skill sets and promotes collaboration on development projects.
- Work with the business development team to drive the technology roadmap for future skills and projects.
- Provide leadership for Solution-wide product development and sustaining programs and activities, with a strong focus on RF microwave engineering, specifically on passive microwave designs (not power amplifiers).
- Support customer development phases, ensuring effective communication and technical expertise during these phases.
- Lead daily GAPPA meetings and participate in brainstorming sessions to address challenges in product development.
- Develop, enhance, and maintain relationships with key customers in aerospace, managing both large and smaller clients.
- Provide leadership efforts to enhance current products and develop new products.
- Evaluate and develop improved techniques for the control of design activities.
- Plan and manage the deployment of resources for multiple projects.
- Establish and monitor departmental budget.
- Establish and manage operating plan budgets for IR&D, sustaining, funded engineering, and marketing support.
- Encourage and provide opportunity for continued relevant technical training and provide mentoring to new engineers.
- Review and set up optimized workflow.
- Establish and maintain design guidelines and design processes.
- Provide the appropriate skill mix to sustain and grow the business and to meet customer requirements.
- Provide interface and direct/indirect support to outside suppliers, 3rd party development activities, and customer product integration.
- Provide technical contact for customer support.
- Support business proposals and engineering estimates for development and recurring costs on new programs.
- Develop, enhance and maintain a core team as well as an external network of consultants, contractors and suppliers to support product development.
- Develop a culture that is focused on results and that balances innovation and accountability.
- Any other tasks assigned by supervisor or management.