Head of Engineering

Webster & Webster Associates • Phoenix, AZ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Are you a seasoned technical executive who excels at optimizing cross-disciplinary engineering teams to deliver rugged, high-reliability computing hardware to market? A dominant global innovator in ruggedized systems design and open-architecture hardware solutions is looking for a Head Engineering. Working at the executive level, you will provide visionary leadership to scale a multi-site team encompassing electrical, mechanical, systems, and software engineering. Your mission is to establish rigorous operational governance, optimize cross-functional workflows, and ensure that all technical investments maximize product quality and cost-effectiveness. In this position, you will serve as a core strategist alongside business leaders to drive product innovation that aligns with strict industry requirements.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a highly related technical field.
• At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience directing complex engineering programs and cross-functional teams.
• Deep professional background in aerospace, defense, embedded computing, or ruggedized electronics markets.
• Strong financial acumen with proven success managing engineering budgets, resource forecasting, and operational KPIs.
• Familiarity with engineering design pipelines, product lifecycle management platforms, and modern enterprise planning tools.
• Working knowledge of ITAR, ISO, and defense industry regulatory compliance parameters.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and align distributed teams across a global infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the strategic planning and lifecycle management of the computing hardware portfolio to prioritize high-value, market-focused initiatives.
• Utilize rigorous ROI and risk assessment methodologies to evaluate technical projects, balancing engineering innovation with corporate financial targets.
• Champion lean operating models and process simplification to shorten development cycle times and eliminate structural inefficiencies.
• Drive capacity building and role clarity across distributed engineering sites, guiding technical teams through organizational growth and transformation.
• Coordinate closely with project management, operations, and finance teams to align hardware development priorities with strategic customer commitments.
• Ensure strict adherence to ISO procedures, regulatory frameworks, and engineering best practices to maintain standard-setting quality.
• Represent the firm's technological vision in executive discussions, major client engagements, and global technical committees.

What This Job Offers

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