Engineering Manager (Indianapolis)

Working across the globe, V2X builds smart solutions designed to integrate physical and digital infrastructure from base to battlefield. We bring 120 years of successful mission support to improve security, streamline logistics, and enhance readiness. Aligned around a shared purpose, our $3.9B company and 16,000 people work alongside our clients, here and abroad, to tackle their most complex challenges with integrity, respect, responsibility, and professionalism.

V2X is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Section Manager to join our Hardware Engineering organization in Indianapolis, IN. This role supports the development of advanced defense systems, including podded communication links, sensor systems, airborne armament equipment, ground systems, mission kits, cockpit displays, avionics, and radar systems. The Indianapolis facility also supports additional product lines for diverse Department of War (DoW) customers, offering opportunities to work across multiple programs and advance your career.

The Senior Mechanical Engineering Section Manager leads a section of approximately 15 mechanical engineers and serves as both a functional manager and a senior technical leader. This role is responsible for driving technical excellence, overseeing mechanical design and development activities, fostering career growth and talent development, and aligning the mechanical engineering function with organizational objectives. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in mechanical design and qualification of airborne/DoW hardware with strong leadership capability and a strategic mindset.

Section Leadership & Talent Management

• Lead and manage the mechanical engineering section, fostering a culture of trust, accountability, collaboration, and inclusion.
• Coordinate, plan, and assign mechanical engineering resources to support current and forecasted program demands.
• Monitor section productivity, performance, and behaviors; provide regular feedback to leadership on employee and project performance.
• Conduct formal and informal performance reviews, set and approve goals and objectives, and recognize individual and team contributions.
• Develop and maintain career progression plans for section members using company career development tools and guides.
• Mentor and coach engineers at all levels, identifying high‑potential talent and succession candidates.
• Lead hiring activities in partnership with Talent Acquisition, including requisition creation, candidate interviewing, selection, and onboarding.
• Address employee concerns, support work/life balance, and ensure alignment with company policies regarding PTO, extended work weeks, and leaves of absence.

Technical Oversight & Execution

• Provide subject matter expertise in mechanical design, analysis, environmental and dynamic testing of DoW hardware.
• Oversee the technical execution of mechanical engineering work products across the section, ensuring adherence to requirements, budgets, schedules, and quality standards.
• Review, critique, and approve designs, drawings, analyses, and test plans to ensure compliance with ASME standards, MIL‑STD‑810, DO‑160, and applicable company documentation standards.
• Ensure mechanical designs meet performance, reliability, safety, and manufacturability requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
• Support and guide qualification efforts, failure investigations, root‑cause analyses, and corrective actions.
• Promote sound engineering judgment, critical thinking, and innovation to solve complex technical challenges.

Functional Management & Operations

• Implement and maintain functional management systems and processes for the mechanical engineering section, aligned with Hardware Engineering department standards.
• Define, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs), including competency proficiency metrics, productivity, and quality measures.
• Ensure employees complete all required technical, safety, and compliance training; monitor training status and address gaps.
• Review and approve employee timecards, travel requests, expenses, and purchasing card transactions in accordance with company policy and schedule.
• Support front‑end business activities by providing labor estimates, inputs to proposals, RFIs, whitepapers, and early concept/requirements development.
• Collaborate with other disciplines to ensure effective integration and execution of mechanical engineering activities.

Program & Strategy Support

• Work with program and project leadership to define mechanical scope, develop execution plans, and manage technical risks.
• Align mechanical engineering resources with program priorities, balancing competing demands and managing workload and capacity.
• Participate in early phase design, concept development, and proposal activities, including cost, schedule, and risk assessments.
• Lead or contribute to mechanical engineering roadmaps and capability development initiatives in alignment with Hardware Engineering strategic goals.
• Drive continuous improvement activities focused on processes, tools, and technologies (e.g., CAD/PLM standards, workflows, documentation practices).
• Provide inputs and participate in department‑level reviews and management forums (e.g., staff meetings, operations reviews, all‑hands).

Compliance, Security & Safety

• Ensure section compliance with ITAR/EAR export control regulations and other applicable aerospace/defense standards.
• Maintain accountability for meeting all safety, environmental, health, and training requirements; support EHS engagements, lab audits, and safety walk‑throughs.
• Ensure engineering processes and products comply with contractual, regulatory, and company requirements.
• Support and maintain documentation and records required for audits, reviews, and customer assessments.
• Uphold and model ethical conduct, security awareness, and adherence to company policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related STEM discipline.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant professional experience in mechanical engineering within aerospace, defense, or closely related industries.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in mechanical design, mechanical analysis, environmental testing, and/or dynamic testing of airborne or DoW hardware.
• Experience leading engineering teams or projects, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and technical execution responsibilities.
• Proven ability to review and approve mechanical designs and drawings in accordance with ASME and military standards.
• Experience working on product development teams and collaborating across disciplines (e.g., systems, electrical, test, manufacturing).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including experience mentoring and developing engineers.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and experience resolving conflicts and fostering collaboration.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• Prior management experience leading mechanical engineering teams or sections in an aerospace or DoD environment.
• Experience as a senior technical leader (e.g., principal or lead engineer) with responsibility for complex mechanical systems.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (e.g., Creo) and PLM systems (e.g., Windchill) including configuration management of parts and assemblies.
• Strong knowledge of engineering documentation standards, GD&T, and military drawing standards.
• Experience planning, instrumenting, executing, and analyzing mechanical and environmental test campaigns (e.g., vibration, shock, thermal).
• Experience conducting failure investigations and root‑cause analyses and implementing corrective actions.
• Broad manufacturing knowledge (machining, sheet metal, welding, additive manufacturing) and design for manufacturability/assembly (DFM/DFA).
• Existing and active DoD Secret or higher security clearance.

Security Clearance

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoW Secret security clearance is required for this position due to contractual obligations and compliance with ITAR/EAR export control regulations.

At V2X, we are deeply committed to both equal employment opportunity, including protection for Veterans and individuals with disabilities, and fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We ensure all individuals are treated with fairness, respect, and dignity, recognizing the strength that comes from a workforce rich in diverse experiences, perspectives, and skills. This commitment, aligned with our core Vision and Values of Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility, allows us to leverage differences, encourage innovation, and expand our success in the global marketplace, ultimately enabling us to best serve our clients.

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