Executive Director, Engineering & Technology

Miltope • Huntsville, AL

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is an Exempt salary role which normally works a 9/80 work schedule. Non-duty hours work may be required based on business need. Are you ready to shape the future of rugged defense electronics, mission‑critical systems, and advanced technology solutions? Miltope Corporation is seeking an accomplished Executive Director of Engineering & Technology to lead our engineering organization, define the technical future of our product lines, and drive innovation across rugged computing, embedded systems, communications, displays, and emerging mission‑system technologies. This senior leader serves as Miltope’s chief technical authority, providing engineering direction, technology strategy, and hands‑on leadership across development, manufacturing support, product architecture, qualification, and lifecycle engineering. The ideal candidate is a seasoned engineering leader who thrives in a fast‑paced defense‑industry environment and can blend strategic insight with practical, disciplined technical management. If you are energized by building world‑class products, leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, guiding technology investment, and collaborating directly with defense customers, OEMs, and ST Engineering partners this role is designed for you. At ST Engineering North America Government, Miltope Corporation is a trusted provider of rugged computers, secure communications systems, avionics support technologies, and mission‑critical solutions for U.S. DoD, prime contractors, allied militaries, and commercial aerospace customers. Operating as a Special Security Agreement (SSA) / FOCI‑mitigated entity, we support national‑security missions through engineering excellence, disciplined execution, and deeply integrated partnerships with government and industry. Our mission is to deliver high‑reliability defense and aerospace technologies that empower customers to meet their most demanding operational challenges. We achieve this through exceptional engineering rigor, innovative product development, and a culture founded on integrity, transparency, and technical leadership. The Executive Director of Engineering & Technology plays a pivotal role in shaping Miltope’s product evolution, technology strategy, and engineering discipline, aligning our rugged electronics solutions with the future of military, government, and commercial aerospace needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, Systems Engineering, or related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience within defense, aerospace, rugged electronics, mission‑systems, or similar complex hardware environments.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a hands‑on technical leader across architecture, design reviews, technical problem solving, and customer interaction.
• Experience guiding engineering planning, technical estimating, lifecycle management, configuration control, and manufacturing readiness.
• Strong knowledge of MIL‑STDs, AS9100D/ISO 9001, ITAR/export compliance, cybersecurity requirements, and government‑contracting technical obligations.
• Experience with ERP/PLM systems (BOMs, drawings, revision control, ECNs).
• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Technology Management, or related discipline.
• Prior experience as Engineering Director, Chief Engineer, Senior Technical Leader, or comparable role.
• Experience in rugged computing, displays, embedded systems, communications, autonomy, robotics, or related technologies.
• Experience supporting business development, proposals, customer demos, technology partnerships, or investment planning.
• Demonstrated success improving engineering maturity, manufacturability, organizational capability, and cross‑functional execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead Miltope’s engineering and technology strategy, aligning with corporate objectives, customer needs, and emerging defense requirements.
• Develop and maintain product and technology roadmaps across rugged computing, displays, embedded electronics, autonomy‑related systems, and communication solutions.
• Evaluate new technologies, architectures, materials, and partnerships to drive capability advancement and long‑term competitiveness.
• Advise executive leadership on technical direction, risk, and investment decisions.
• Serve as Miltope’s senior engineering authority for system architecture, design reviews, technical risk, producibility, SWaP‑C, and compliance.
• Drive disciplined engineering processes including systems engineering, verification/validation, configuration management, and gated review governance.
• Lead complex trade studies, root‑cause investigations, proposal technical volumes, and high‑impact engineering decisions.
• Mentor senior engineers, chief engineers, and emerging technical leaders to strengthen engineering depth.
• Own engineering execution across concept, prototype, qualification, LRIP, full‑rate production, sustainment, and end‑of‑life cycles.
• Align technical baselines, resources, and engineering deliverables with customer schedules and contractual commitments.
• Lead sustaining engineering activities, including redesigns, component obsolescence management, failure analyses, cost‑reduction initiatives, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure timely release of engineering documentation, technical data packages, drawings, BOMs, and configuration‑controlled artifacts.
• Integrate engineering tightly with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Programs to ensure smooth transition from design to repeatable, stable production.
• Champion DFM/DFA, testability, reliability, and maintainability throughout the product lifecycle.
• Approve manufacturing documentation and validate production readiness, tooling, fixtures, and supplier technical capabilities.
• Support yield improvement, throughput optimization, cost‑reduction strategies, and production troubleshooting.
• Uphold strict adherence to AS9100D/ISO 9001, MIL‑STD‑810, MIL‑STD‑461, ITAR, DFARS/NIST 800‑171, cybersecurity, and SSA compliance requirements.
• Lead risk assessments, qualification readiness reviews, hazard analyses, failure reviews, and corrective‑action processes.
• Ensure disciplined configuration control across ERP and PLM systems, including revisions, ECNs, and engineering change management.
• Working with Miltope’s Business Development and Program Management teams, engage directly with customers to understand mission needs, shape technical solutions, and resolve engineering challenges.
• Lead technical content for proposals, SOWs, estimates, compliance matrices, and solution strategy.
• Ensure proposed solutions are technically sound, producible, supportable, affordable, and aligned with manufacturing capability.
• Represent Miltope in technical discussions, customer reviews, industry engagements, and cross‑company collaborations.
• Lead Miltope’s engineering organization across multiple locations, ensuring clear priorities, communication, accountability, and technical excellence.
• Build high‑performance multidisciplinary teams across electrical, mechanical, firmware/software, systems, manufacturing, and test engineering.
• Drive succession planning, recruiting, talent development, and leadership pipeline growth.
• Promote a culture of integrity, disciplined execution, customer focus, and technical rigor.

Benefits

• Eligible for Short‑Term and Long‑Term Incentive Plans.
• Comprehensive benefits package including: 401(k) with competitive company match; Medical, Dental, Vision insurance; Disability coverage; Paid Time Off (PTO); Tuition Assistance; Life & AD&D Insurance; and Career Development & Growth Opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive