Director of Program Engineering Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Does the thought of preparing kids to solve the world’s greatest problems excite and empower you? Do you want to be with an organization where your knowledge and skills will help increase school engagement and student success, and extend our global reach? Do you want to be on a team that crafts opportunities and provides life changing experiences for students?

These opportunities are as strong and dynamic as ever, as FIRST® creates the people who will change the world – today and tomorrow!

What We Offer
We promise a fast-paced, exciting, and rewarding environment where you will be part of a team that cares about each other and thrives on each other’s successes. As a Great Place to Work® certified company , you’ll feel good about the future of the world after doing hard work with the talented people at FIRST ® and will have a front row seat to our life-changing programs.

Our extensive benefits package is highly competitive and includes:

• Healthcare Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life & AD&D Insurance 
• Supplemental life insurance
• Voluntary accident and legal plans
• Income Protection Insurances (STD & LTD)
• Flexible Work Schedule
• Hybrid Work Model
• 160 PTO hours for FT employees 
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year (one is a floating holiday)
  • Paid July 4th Week Holiday Closure 
• 40 hours paid sick leave per calendar year
• One paid volunteer day per anniversary year
• Maternity and Parental Leave
• 401K Retirement Savings Plan (with employer match)
• Medical and dependent pre-tax flex plans
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The salary range for this position is $114,125-$132,955.50.  New hires typically start within this range based on their qualifications, experience, and considerations of internal equity.
Some relocation support provided for this position.

Who You Are

You are a strategic engineering leader with a proven ability to translate complex technical initiatives into reliable, high-quality program execution. You thrive at the intersection of mechanical, electrical and software engineering, operational excellence, and leading cross-functional teams through the design, testing, manufacturing, deployment, and support of mission-critical systems. You are equally comfortable managing engineering operations, warehouse and workshop environments, and ensuring safety, compliance, and quality standards are met. With Gracious Professionalism ® our ideal candidate will lead collaborative teams, optimize processes, and deliver innovative solutions that support exceptional program and event experiences.

FIRST headquarters is in Manchester, New Hampshire, and we seek candidates based in New England or willing to relocate to New England. This position requires an onsite presence.  

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

What You Will Do

In this role, you will lead program engineering operations by overseeing teams, technical systems, and execution of competition technologies to ensure safe, reliable, and innovative FIRST experiences.

• Lead the execution of FIRST 's program engineering operations, overseeing mechanical and electrical engineering, game field design, manufacturing, deployment, scoring systems, and event support while ensuring safety, quality, and program requirements are met.
• Partner with Robotics Engineering, IT, the Distinguished Engineer, and external technology contributors to align engineering efforts, integrate systems, advance technology strategy, and deliver seamless competition experiences.
• Direct engineering operations, including workshop and warehouse management, fabrication and maintenance for competition fields, game elements, and event systems.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team by setting priorities, managing performance, hiring talent, and fostering professional growth to achieve annual goals and long-term technology objectives.
• Manage program engineering execution by balancing budgets, schedules, resources, and changing priorities to ensure successful delivery of strategic initiatives.
• Provide tactical leadership for day-to-day engineering operations while advising senior leadership on strategic direction.

What We Expect
We are seeking candidates with the following knowledge, skills, and experience:

• BS/BA in a related discipline, with a minimum of 8 years directly-related experience, including at least 3 years of supervisory or management experience.
• Engineering background in a relevant discipline (mechanical, electrical, robotics, or related field).
• CAD and/or programming experience.
• Flexibility to travel 5-10%.

Commitment to FIRST® Core Values

Discovery:  We explore new skills and ideas.
Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
Impact:  We apply what we learn to improve our world.
Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!

Thriving on our core values, celebrating the uniqueness of our employees and committed to inclusion. Proud to be an equal opportunity employer .

By submitting my application, I certify that the information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any false statements or omissions may result in disqualification from employment or, if employed, termination.

I acknowledge that FIRST may conduct a comprehensive background check as part of the hiring process. This may include, but is not limited to, verification of my employment history, education, professional credentials, employment references, and a review of prior involvement with FIRST in an employment or volunteer capacity.

I further acknowledge that if I receive a conditional offer of employment, my employment status remains contingent upon the results of a criminal records check, and that the findings may affect my eligibility for employment. Additionally, for certain positions where job responsibilities warrant it, FIRST may conduct a credit check as part of the background screening process, in compliance with applicable laws.

FIRST takes your privacy seriously, and we are dedicated to protecting the confidentiality of your personal data. If you apply for a position at FIRST , we will collect, process, and store your personal data, such as your name, contact information, and application materials, to comply with our regulatory and legal obligations. FIRST will retain employment records, including employment applications, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

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