VP, Engineering

About the role

We are partnering with an established organization specializing in advanced manufacturing, complex engineered-to-order systems, and customized industrial automation solutions serving highly regulated industrial and government markets. We are seeking an accomplished Vice President of Engineering who is passionate about building high-performing engineering teams, solving complex technical challenges, and driving innovative engineering solutions from initial concept through successful delivery. This is an opportunity for an experienced engineering executive to have a meaningful influence on engineering strategy, organizational development, technical execution, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who can think strategically while remaining closely connected to the engineering and manufacturing processes that drive successful outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across Mechanical, Electrical, Controls/Automation, and Process Engineering.
• Build, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary engineering teams and future engineering leaders.
• Establish engineering strategies, technical standards, best practices, and scalable processes.
• Oversee engineering resource allocation, staffing, budgets, and organizational performance.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
• Lead complex, custom-engineered manufacturing and automation programs from concept and design through integration, testing, commissioning, and customer acceptance.
• Oversee engineering solutions involving mechanical systems, electrical systems, industrial controls, PLC/HMI/SCADA, robotics, and manufacturing processes.
• Ensure engineering designs meet performance, safety, quality, manufacturability, and cost objectives.
• Provide executive oversight of technical design reviews, engineering challenges, risk mitigation, and problem resolution.
• Drive engineering standardization, configuration management, design verification, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Program Management, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and executive leadership to ensure successful program execution.
• Support complex technical proposals, engineering estimates, resource planning, and project budgeting.
• Oversee engineering labor forecasts, technical risks, cost performance, and project deliverables.
• Contribute to technology roadmaps, engineering investments, and long-term organizational growth.
• Engage with customers and stakeholders on technical matters, program performance, and engineering solutions.
• Ensure engineering activities align with applicable government contracting requirements, including FAR/DFARS.
• Support engineering quality systems consistent with AS9100 and ISO 9001 principles.
• Promote disciplined engineering processes, technical documentation, change management, and corrective-action practices.
• Champion safe engineering and manufacturing practices, including applicable OSHA requirements and industrial safety standards.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Controls/Automation, Systems Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive engineering experience in custom automation, advanced manufacturing, industrial equipment, systems integration, or complex engineered-to-order environments.
• 8+ years of engineering leadership experience managing engineering leaders and multidisciplinary technical teams.
• 5+ years of experience supporting government contracting, regulated manufacturing, or comparable federal contracting environments.
• Demonstrated leadership across multiple engineering disciplines, including Mechanical, Electrical, Controls/Automation, and Process/Manufacturing Engineering.
• Proven experience leading engineering organizations responsible for designing, developing, building, and delivering complex engineered systems.
• Experience supporting major technical proposals, engineering estimates, budgeting, resource planning, and risk assessments.
• Strong financial and commercial understanding of engineering budgets, labor forecasting, project costs, and technical tradeoffs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Experience with specialized manufacturing equipment, automated production systems, complex industrial machinery, or advanced automation.
• Experience operating within AS9100-certified