About Our Client:

Our client provides easy access to the highest quality commercial satellite data available, which is an indispensable tool for the growing number of organizations monitoring the Earth. They empower their customers to create solutions that inform, inspire, and address our planet’s most pressing needs, helping to establish a brand new industry that has never meaningfully existed before.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Director of Engineering to join our client's team. As a key member of the newly established Mission Solutions business group, you will report directly to the Vice President and General Manager of Mission Solutions. In this role, you will lead the development of a world-class engineering organization, focusing on developing enduring space and ground product lines, as well as custom space mission and ground systems for U.S. and global customers. Your responsibilities will include hiring, training, equipping, deploying, and managing the entirety of the Mission Solutions engineering organization. Additionally, you will engage directly in internal and customer-funded engineering activities, providing technical leadership and contributions. You will also be responsible for designing, building, and enforcing processes and tools that promote engineering excellence within Mission Solutions and throughout the organization.

Location:

This position is based in the Arlington, VA office.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain the standard of excellence for space and ground engineering within Mission Solutions.
• Manage all Mission Solutions engineering staff hiring and performance, including payroll and budget management, candidate evaluation, and performance assurance.
• Collaborate with the Mission Solutions General Manager, Operations Manager, and Operating Unit leads to build staffing processes and plans, ensuring engineering resources align with business group priorities.
• Lead working groups focused on various strategic technical areas.
• Define, document, and demonstrate engineering excellence.
• Support other managers in upholding the highest standards for performance and behavior.
• Serve as an engineering lead when qualified staff is otherwise assigned or not yet hired.
• Coordinate with Remote Sensing and Space Systems engineering organizations to promote the free flow of best practices, tools, and intellectual property.
• Serve as a senior leader within Mission Solutions, supporting executive decision-making related to internal and external priorities.
• Utilize agile practices to support sprint planning, track progress, and manage and report individual performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• 15+ years of professional experience in the aerospace and defense industry, with a focus on space mission system development.
• Experience with the design, integration, verification, and operation of space and ground systems.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time, both within and outside the continental United States.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• A continuous learner and self-starter who embraces uncertainty, takes calculated risks, and learns from challenges.
• Proactive and solution-oriented, consistently taking initiative to address important issues.
• High emotional intelligence, with the ability to engage and empathize with staff, colleagues, cross-functional teams, and customers, and adapt to different cultures.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment with a nationally distributed team.
• Experience with multiple relevant U.S. Government or partner-nation space agencies and acquisition offices.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

Desired Qualifications:

• Full-lifecycle engineering experience ranging from concept development to on-orbit operations.
• Deep expertise in at least one aerospace engineering discipline (e.g., mechanical, electrical, or GN&C engineering).