Vice President of Engineering

Founded in 1918, Kearfott Corporation is a global Aerospace and Defense supplier with over a century of expertise in precision motion control products and inertial navigation components. A leader in innovation and excellence, Kearfott is trusted by global clients and plays a vital role in America’s aerospace and defense industries. The company is dedicated to delivering quality, reliability, and cutting-edge technology for sea, land, air, and space navigation and guidance requirements.

About the role

This role leads the engineering function to deliver mission-critical systems, products, and technologies that meet stringent technical, regulatory, and operational requirements. It blends deep technical expertise with executive leadership to drive innovation, ensure compliance, and deliver on program objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the engineering strategy aligned with the company's mission, product roadmap, and defense/aerospace industry standards.
• Lead interdisciplinary design, development, testing, and sustainment of aerospace and defense systems, including hypersonic, UAV, satellite, or mission systems.
• Establish and enforce engineering standards, design practices, and quality controls to meet regulatory and safety requirements.
• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing engineering team, including technical leads, systems engineers, and specialists.
• Manage multi-million-dollar engineering budgets, forecasting, and cost control; allocate resources effectively.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies, tools, and infrastructure to improve performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Partner with product, program, and business leaders to align engineering deliverables with strategic goals.
• Oversee disaster recovery, cybersecurity, and compliance planning for defense and aerospace programs.
• Coordinate with suppliers, contractors, and external partners to ensure quality and timely delivery.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, or related discipline) required. Master's degree in Engineering and/or MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience within the aerospace and defense industry, including demonstrated executive leadership developing and delivering complex, high-reliability aerospace and defense electronic systems.
• Experience with mission-critical avionics, inertial navigation, guidance, sensing, and precision electro-mechanical products supporting airborne, ground, maritime, missile, and space applications (highly preferred).
• Extensive knowledge of complex defense electronics, embedded hardware and software, systems engineering, electronics integration, and full product lifecycle development from concept through production and sustainment.
• Experience with aerospace and defense standards including DO-178C, DO-254, AS9100, CMMI, MIL-STDs, ITAR, and other applicable U.S. Government contracting requirements.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations through the complete product lifecycle, including technology development, customer-funded programs, qualification, certification, production transition, manufacturing support, and product sustainment.
• Experience partnering with manufacturing operations to improve producibility, quality, reliability, and operational performance while supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), production transition, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior leadership, customers, and government stakeholders while effectively leading multidisciplinary organizations through growth and organizational change.
• Demonstrated ability to establish engineering strategy, assess technical and programmatic risk, prioritize technology investments, and make sound business decisions that balance technical excellence, customer requirements, schedule, cost, and customer satisfaction.
• Must be a US Citizen and have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Security Clearance.
• Travel 25% to 40%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Guidance & Navigation systems, Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), precision motion control, or other high-reliability aerospace and defense products.
• Experience supporting airborne, missile, ground vehicle, maritime, or space programs.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), New Product Introduction (NPI), and Independent Research & Development (IRAD).
• Experience supporting both development and production engineering organizations within a highly regulated aerospace and defense manufacturing environment.

Pay

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New Jersey is $275,000 - $325,000 annually. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as the final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge and skills, experience, and internal consistency.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Tuition assistance.
• Paid vacation and sick days.
• Paid holidays.
• 9/80 work week with every other Friday off.
• Monthly employee events that celebrate workplace culture.