Engineering Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role supports our Defense Systems business, bringing together Hypersonics, Strategic Missile Defense, Tactical Missiles, and Integrated Defense Systems. Modern defense missions demand more than piecemeal parts or patchwork products; they require hardware that seamlessly integrates disparate technologies into a unified system. Backed by decades of flight-proven performance, our teams deliver tailored mission-ready solutions across air, land, and sea, including: launch and deployment systems, propulsion, payload protection, integration and deployment.

In this role, you will lead the operational and people-management foundation of a functional engineering group. You will oversee resource planning, consolidate labor demand across programs, coordinate staff assignments, and support programs in defining clear, actionable engineering work. You will also partner closely with technical experts to ensure engineering standards, qualifications, and training are effectively delivered, helping the team build capability while keeping program execution on track.

Schedule

• This role follows a 9/80 schedule, with 9-hour shifts Monday through Thursday, an 8-hour shift every other Friday, and the alternating Friday off.

Responsibilities

• Leads consolidation of labor demand across programs to create a unified view of committed, requested, and open needs.
• Coordinates functional resource allocation, balancing workload, program priorities, and individual career development goals.
• Acts as traffic control for resource requests by sequencing work, identifying conflicts, and preventing reactive scheduling issues.
• Drives proactive hiring by identifying staffing gaps using consolidated demand data.
• Partners with technical experts to schedule, track, and maintain engineering standards and training for the functional group.
• Manages qualification tracking for new hires and transfers, ensuring progression through the qualification ladder.
• Supports programs by breaking down engineering requests into scoped, staffable work packages.
• Works with program leads to define realistic schedule and effort expectations before commitments are made.
• Identifies required skill sets for tasks and routes ambiguous technical requests to the appropriate expert.
• Provides direct people management, including goal-setting, coaching, performance reviews, onboarding support, and routine administrative oversight.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Engineering.
• 5 or more years of engineering leadership experience, including at least 2 years in aerospace or engineering.
• Demonstrated experience in resource planning, scheduling, and managing technical staff.
• Ability to manage data-driven scheduling across multiple concurrent programs.
• Experience supporting staff career growth while balancing program needs.
• Ability to partner with technical experts to route design sign-off, waivers, and contested technical decisions appropriately.
• Experience helping programs translate ambiguous engineering requests into scoped work packages.

Preferred Qualifications

• Discipline-specific technical depth that supports partnership with technical experts.

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.