Director of Engineering

Aurelius Systems•San Francisco, CA

24d•Onsite

About The Position

Aurelius Systems is a VC-backed defense tech startup focused on developing autonomous, edge-deployed directed energy systems for counter-UAS (unmanned aerial systems). The company aims to build laser weapons to neutralize drones, positioning itself as a leader in directed energy technology. The company operates with a philosophy of focused execution, emphasizing high output and direct problem-solving, inspired by figures like Marcus Aurelius and Henry Ford. With facilities in San Francisco and a manufacturing hub in Detroit, Aurelius Systems conducts weekly field tests on its private 400-acre range. The Director of Engineering will be responsible for overseeing the entire system's path from research and development to production, leading multiple engineering disciplines including software, firmware, controls, hardware integration, and test. This role is crucial for transforming lab demonstrators into robust, manufacturable weapon systems, setting technical direction, and managing the engineering organization.

Requirements

12+ years in engineering with significant leadership of multi-disciplinary technical teams.
Track record of taking complex hardware/software systems from R&D through production or field deployment.
Experience leading across disciplines.
Demonstrated ability to scale teams and turn dysfunction or ambiguity into high-performing execution.
Comfort operating hands-on in a lab and on a test range.
Must be a "U.S. Person" (U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or certain protected classes of asylees and refugees).

Nice To Haves

Active or recent DoD security clearance.
Directed energy or high energy laser weapon system experience.
Experience establishing engineering processes and tooling for a scaling organization.
US military background or deep experience working with military end users.
Track record of hiring and growing senior technical talent.
Advanced degree in a relevant engineering or physical science field.

Responsibilities

Set technical direction across software, firmware, controls, hardware integration, and test for the full system.
Manage the R&D to production transition and authority architecture, taking subsystems from prototype through field-ready and manufacturable stages.
Lead multi-team execution under ambiguous requirements, providing clear guidance and ensuring project delivery.
Oversee field testing, from designing test articles to evaluating system performance in non-lab conditions.
Build and scale the engineering organization, including hiring, structuring teams, and fostering high-performing environments.
Serve as a customer and program interface, translating mission requirements into engineering execution.
Maintain and elevate the technical bar across the team through hands-on work and leadership by example.