Program Engineering Director

Pelican•South Deerfield, MA

About The Position

We are seeking a highly strategic and technically strong Program Engineering Director to drive execution of our R&D roadmap and lead the development of new and evolving standard products and technologies — including heating, cooling, and smart-enabled solutions. This is a Director-level individual contributor role serving as a key technical partner and right-hand leader. This role combines deep engineering expertise, program execution discipline, supplier integration, and strong commercial acumen to ensure innovative products are launched on time, within budget, and aligned to market needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or related discipline).
10+ years of progressive engineering experience with demonstrated ownership of complex product development programs.
Proven success leading new product development from concept through commercialization.
Strong technical background in materials, product testing, and supplier qualification.
Experience building cost models and supporting business case development.
Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders at senior levels.

Nice To Haves

Experience in roto-molding, resin materials, or ruggedized product development.
Background in heating, cooling, or smart-enabled technologies.
PMP or formal program management certification.
Experience in highly regulated or defense-related product environments.

Responsibilities

R&D Roadmap Execution
Own and execute the R&D roadmap in partnership with Engineering and Product Leadership.
Lead engineering programs from concept through validation, qualification, and product launch.
Develop detailed program plans including schedules, milestones, budgets, and risk mitigation strategies.
Monitor development progress and drive corrective actions to ensure delivery commitments are met.
Write and oversee execution of comprehensive test plans in collaboration with R&D engineers.
Partner with engineering teams to develop and manage budgets and execute Capital Expenditure Requests (CERs).
New Product & Platform Development
Lead commercialization of new standard products and configurable platforms.
Provide critical technical input to business cases, including roto-molded product development initiatives.
Oversee day-to-day development activities including part number creation, cost modeling, and product testing.
Direct development initiatives including:
Half-rack case platforms
New light-lift case designs
Qualification and testing using LWFR resin
New weapons-based case designs
Evaluation and implementation of heavy-duty slide systems
Ensure defined next steps within the product roadmap are executed with discipline and accountability.
Supplier & Technology Integration
Partner with suppliers to design, develop, and qualify new components and materials.
Provide technical leadership in onboarding new suppliers, including heating and cooling technology resources.
Ensure new technologies are validated, tested, and production-ready prior to launch.
Costing & Commercial Alignment
Develop and monitor product development costing to ensure margin targets and pricing accuracy.
Provide technical and financial input to support robust business cases.
Collaborate with leadership on competitive analysis and evaluation of emerging technologies to strengthen the product portfolio.
Cross-Functional Influence & Leadership
Serve as a senior technical liaison between Engineering, Product Management, Operations, and Supply Chain.
Ensure compliance with engineering standards, quality systems, and safety requirements.
Prepare and present program updates, risks, and performance metrics to executive leadership.
Drive continuous improvement in program management tools, methodologies, and governance practices.