Director of Engineering (Aerospace)

The Director of Engineering & Estimating is responsible for transforming Client's engineering organization into a world-class competitive advantage. This executive will lead Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Program Engineering, and Estimating while driving engineering excellence from quotation through production. The position is accountable for improving profitability, estimating accuracy, manufacturing efficiency, scalability, and customer satisfaction, while serving as a strategic advisor to the President & CEO. Responsibilities: Develop and execute the company's engineering and estimating strategy aligned with long-term growth objectives. Own engineering performance across manufacturing, including productivity, manufacturability, quality, cost, and delivery. Lead all manufacturing, process, tooling, CAM/CAD, and program engineering activities. Own the estimating function, including standardized cost models, should-cost analysis, pricing strategy, and quotation governance. Reduce quote turnaround time while improving estimating accuracy and gross margin performance. Drive Industry 4.0, automation, AI-enabled estimating, digital manufacturing, and continuous improvement initiatives. Lead New Product Introduction (NPI), AS9102 First Article Inspection readiness, and engineering change management. Partner with Sales to win strategic programs through superior manufacturability and competitive pricing. Develop engineering talent, succession plans, and a culture of accountability, urgency, innovation, and technical excellence. Recommend capital investments and ensure measurable return on investment. Represent Engineering during customer, OEM, DCMA, AS9100, and regulatory audits. First 12-Month Success Metrics: Increase estimating accuracy to greater than 95%. Reduce quote turnaround time by at least 30%. Standardize estimating methodology across all business units. Develop a scalable engineering organization capable of supporting significant revenue growth. Become a trusted strategic advisor to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team. Requirements: 10+ years of progressive engineering leadership in aerospace precision machining or similarly regulated manufacturing. Demonstrated leadership of engineering organizations supporting approximately $30M–$100M manufacturing operations. Expert knowledge of CNC machining, GD&T, AS9102, AS9100, ITAR, and estimating methodologies. Experience leading multi-site engineering teams and driving operational transformation. Preferred: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher. Experience with ERP/MRP, Paperless Parts, Global Shop, E2, JobBOSS, or similar systems. Experience implementing automation, digital manufacturing, and AI-enabled engineering processes. Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Aerospace Engineering. #J-18808-Ljbffr