Director, Manufacturing Engineering

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Manufacturing Engineering to lead and oversee manufacturing engineering activities and systems across our flagship factory (Arsenal-1) in Columbus, OH. This senior leader will support both the development of new products and the scaling of high-volume production.
You will be responsible for driving operational performance and engineering excellence, ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and efficiency while scaling production to meet business growth objectives. Your leadership will guarantee that rigorous manufacturing processes are in place, resulting in the consistent delivery of superior quality products. This role demands an innovative and adaptable approach to solving complex manufacturing challenges, driving advancements in digital tools, DfM/DfA, and automation in a highly dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will be a results-oriented leader with deep expertise in lean manufacturing, process engineering, operational excellence, and team development.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a long-term manufacturing engineering strategy aligned with company goals.
• Drive innovation in manufacturing processes, automation, and technology adoption to enhance efficiency and scalability for both development and high-volume production.
• Architect the requirements and roadmaps for next-generation digital manufacturing tools to improve manufacturing design, analysis, and production efficiency.
• Build systems and processes to support the manufacturing design and production of classified products in compliance with security and regulatory requirements.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team of manufacturing engineers and technical staff.
• Build and maintain an engaged, motivated workforce through strong leadership and communication.
• Promote a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

New Product Introduction (NPI) & Scalability

• Partner with R&D and product development teams to ensure seamless transition of new products from design to production.
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DfM) and Design for Assembly (DfA) principles during product development, ensuring smooth scaling into production.

Resource Planning

• Manage budgets, resources, and staffing for the manufacturing engineering department.
• Forecast future operational and headcount needs to support scaling efforts for high-growth production environments.
• Plan for rapid response to large-scale program demands, including classified systems, with short ramp-up times.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical), Operations Management, Business, or a related field; Master’s degree or MBA strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing engineering and operations with at least 7 years in senior leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Experience in managing New Product Introduction (NPI) and scaling production for high-growth environments.
• Experience in developing, implementing, and utilizing digital manufacturing tools for design and analysis.
• Familiarity with quality systems and regulatory compliance (ISO, FDA, AS9100, etc.) preferred.
• Familiar with Product Life Cycle (PLM) systems, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and Test Execution Systems (TES).
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, communication, and project management skills.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.