Director of Engineering

Amro Fabricating Corporation•Brea, CA

About The Position

The Director of Engineering for Karman Space & Defense’s Orange County Region will lead the strategic development and implementation of advanced manufacturing processes across CNC Programming, Precision Machining, Weld Fabrication + EB Welding and Complex Integrations Assembly operations. This role combines hands-on engineering leadership with forward-thinking program oversight to enhance technical capability, improve execution efficiency, and support business growth. Reporting to the General Manager, the Engineering Director will foster a culture of innovation and collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring delivery of high-quality results in line with schedule and financial performance targets. ABOUT US Karman Space & Defense provides concept-to-production solutions for mission-critical systems on spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, hypersonics, and integrated defense systems. We believe that solving the industry’s most complex and mission-critical challenges requires relentless determination and a willingness to push the boundaries of possibility. Karman Space & Defense brings to bear unparalleled production capabilities, unmatched engineering expertise, and unflinching analysis to render the impossible, possible.

Requirements

B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering (or related field)
10+ years of experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing
5+ years in a leadership or engineering management role
Demonstrated success managing complex technical programs and cross-functional teams
Expertise in machining, CNC programming, tool design, and related technologies.
Experience with ERP and advanced business systems
Strong communication and leadership skills
U.S. citizenship required
Ability to obtain a DoD SECRET clearance

Nice To Haves

M.S. in Engineering or Management

Responsibilities

Lead process advancement in machining, welding, and assembly forming technologies.
Develop and implement robust process controls and new manufacturing methods aligned with customer and business needs.
Oversee tooling design, machine programming, and process optimization efforts.
Advance engineering data business systems to support technical insight, process integration, and productivity improvements.
Supervise cross-functional engineering teams and program staff, ensuring appropriate skill alignment and workload balance.
Provide leadership in personnel development, mentoring, and performance management.
Coordinate staffing and execution of project plans including cost, schedule, and technical goals.
Own program-level results and execution standards across engineering and manufacturing interface.
Support business development by aligning engineering capabilities with new customer opportunities.
Develop proposals and strategic plans for technology upgrades and capability expansion.
Drive cross-site collaboration and standardization in tooling, processes, and documentation.
Interface with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment on goals, milestones, and deliverables.