Director of Engineering & Technology

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI), headquartered in Clarksburg, MD, is a U.S. company serving domestic and international defense Air, Land, and Sea domains for 60+ years. With over 1,000 employees, TDSI and its subsidiaries support U.S. Joint Services, special operations forces, and multi-national partners with communication, visualization, signal intelligence/electronic warfare, and sensor/sonar capabilities. Key technologies include tactical handheld radios, expeditionary satellite terminals, helmet-mounted displays, optics, target recognition, advanced radars, undersea sensing, and missile systems.

About the role

The Director of Engineering will oversee teams such as Systems, Embedded Software, Electrical, Mechanical, and Field Service, focusing on helmet-mounted displays, inertial tracking, and cueing technologies in Aurora, IL. This position reports to the Vice President of Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and administrative leadership of a multi-disciplined engineering department consisting of systems engineering, software engineering, electrical hardware engineering, and mechanical engineering product development groups.
• Establish and/or maintain processes, tools, and techniques for the engineering department in accordance with TDSI practices.
• Interface with project leads and engineering management to resolve product development issues, coordinate resources, and manage design activities.
• Work with department staff to develop and achieve strategic plan objectives.
• Participate and/or support product development reviews, project planning, proposal and bid generation, and product requirements generation.
• Actively promote and develop actions for continuous improvement in the department in the areas of people, process, tools, and product technology to ensure overall product development is competitive as compared to industry best practices.
• Ensure engineering projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet technical performance requirements.
• Responsible for overall department strategic direction and ensuring assigned corporate strategic objectives are met.
• Perform as an integral member of the management team by interacting regularly with inter/intra-company disciplines including business development, contracts, program management, manufacturing, and customer service.

Supervisor Responsibilities

• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's operating policies and applicable laws, including interviewing, hiring, training, and developing employees.
• Create effective staff plans, assign and direct work in a matrix organization.
• Conduct performance appraisals, reward employees, and manage discipline when required.
• Address complaints and resolve conflicts.
• Actively mentor and develop staff to create a highly performing cohesive team.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required; may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related technical degree; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in an engineering leadership position (technical project management and/or functional management) involved with product development in the military aerospace business.
• Previous experience in a hands-on engineering position required.
• Experience with military avionics systems (fixed wing and rotorcraft) highly preferred.
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional engineering managers and development teams in a matrix organization.
• Experience with AS9100D process implementation and adherence.
• Working knowledge of relevant industry standards (DO-254, DO-160, DO-178 B/C, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-810, DAL, etc.).
• Experience with agile methodology for software and hardware development.
• Ability to work in a team environment and interact with employees in all departments and functions.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.
• Ability to comply with all Company guidelines, policies, procedures, and embrace Company Core Values.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with a yearly incentive compensation plan.
• Medical insurance for self and eligible family members.
• Generous 401(k) program with up to 7% company contribution and 100% immediate vesting.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Paid wellness, vacation, and holiday leave.
• Paid maternity, paternity, and parental leave.
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off).
• Hybrid working environment.

Pay

The annualized pay range for this role is $179,808.00 - $229,755.00 USD along with a target incentive compensation plan (ICP) of 15%.