Job Description
Job Description
Engineering Director – Military Systems
Direct Hire | Spokane, WA | $140K DOE
U.S. Citizenship Required | DoD Programs | MIL-SPEC Experience Required
Position Overview
The Engineering Director provides technical and people leadership for multidisciplinary engineering teams responsible for the full product lifecycle—from concept and development through production and fielded support—of military shelter and support systems. Product lines include soft-wall and rigid-wall shelter systems, air-beam technology shelters, military trailers, environmental and power trailers, command-and-control products, and fabric accessories.
This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role offering close collaboration with Product Lifecycle Management, forward-deployed field support, manufacturing, quality, production, manufacturing engineering, and advanced design teams. We are seeking a dynamic, empowered, and visionary engineering leader who will elevate technical performance, execution, and team capability.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and execute engineering activities for the design, analysis, testing, manufacturing support, and shipment of military shelter systems, trailers, and power generation products
- Directly manage, develop, and mentor a diverse team of 8–12 engineers and designers; drive cross-training, skill development, and mitigation of single-point failures
- Provide technical leadership and support to Sales and Business Development, including Basis of Estimate (BOE) development for direct and program bids, proposals, and awarded programs
- Own and execute the technical strategy, including product cost reduction, process improvements, and operational efficiency initiatives
- Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders including Sales, Product Line Management, Marketing, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain to support product development, production, and delivery
- Drive leadership-sponsored initiatives and actively motivate teams to meet and exceed objectives
- Define, document, and implement engineering best practices across the organization
- Own configuration management, including Engineering Change (EC) and Configuration Control Board (CCB) processes
- Implement and manage engineering scorecards and performance metrics
- Align engineering objectives with overall company strategy and business priorities
- Manage engineering resources, staffing plans, and workload across multiple sites to meet business demand
- Develop technical estimates, support proposal development, and manage requirements through well-defined Statements of Work (SOWs)
Required Experience, Skills & Abilities
- 10+ years of technical leadership and engineering management experience
- Recent or current experience managing engineers
- Strong knowledge of military specifications (MIL-SPEC) and DoD program requirements
- Experience with technical textiles used in soft-sided military shelters
- Knowledge of sewing and welding of technical fabrics
- Expertise in welding, sheet metal, and assembly design
- Advanced technical problem-solving skills
- Proficiency with SolidWorks; EPDM and SAP experience preferred
- Proven ability to lead, coach, and mentor high-performing engineering teams
- Strong quality focus and exceptional attention to detail
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with internal teams and customers
- Proficiency in standard business software (Microsoft Office suite)
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (required)
- Master’s Degree in Engineering, Professional Engineer (PE) license, or MBA (preferred)
Citizenship Requirement
- Must be a U.S. citizen or naturalized U.S. citizen (DoD requirement)