Vice President of Engineering

Kearfott Corporation•Pine Brook, NJ

13h•$275,000 - $325,000•Onsite

About The Position

This role leads the engineering function to deliver mission-critical systems, products, and technologies that meet stringent technical, regulatory, and operational requirements. This role blends deep technical expertise with executive leadership to drive innovation, ensure compliance, and deliver on program objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, or related discipline) required.
10+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience within the aerospace and defense industry, including demonstrated executive leadership developing and delivering complex, high-reliability aerospace and defense electronic systems.
Extensive knowledge of complex defense electronics, embedded hardware and software, systems engineering, electronics integration, and full product lifecycle development from concept through production and sustainment.
Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations through the complete product lifecycle, including technology development, customer-funded programs, qualification, certification, production transition, manufacturing support, and product sustainment.
Experience partnering with manufacturing operations to improve producibility, quality, reliability, and operational performance while supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), production transition, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior leadership, customers, and government stakeholders while effectively leading multidisciplinary organizations through growth and organizational change.
Demonstrated ability to establish engineering strategy, assess technical and programmatic risk, prioritize technology investments, and make sound business decisions that balance technical excellence, customer requirements, schedule, cost and customer satisfaction.
Must be a US Citizen and have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Security Clearance.
Travel 25% to 40%

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Engineering and/or MBA preferred.
Experience including mission-critical avionics, inertial navigation, guidance, sensing, and precision electro-mechanical products supporting airborne, ground, maritime, missile, and space applications, highly preferred.
Experience with aerospace and defense standards including DO-178C, DO-254, AS9100, CMMI, MIL-STDs, ITAR, and other applicable U.S. Government contracting requirements.
Experience with Guidance & Navigation systems, Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), precision motion control, or other high-reliability aerospace and defense products.
Experience supporting airborne, missile, ground vehicle, maritime, or space programs.
Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), New Product Introduction (NPI), and Independent Research & Development (IRAD).
Experience supporting both development and production engineering organizations within a highly regulated aerospace and defense manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the engineering strategy aligned with the company's mission, product roadmap, and defense/aerospace industry standards.
Lead interdisciplinary design, development, testing, and sustainment of aerospace and defense systems, including hypersonic, UAV, satellite, or mission systems.
Establish and enforce engineering standards, design practices, and quality controls to meet regulatory and safety requirements.
Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing engineering team, including technical leads, systems engineers, and specialists.
Manage multi-million-dollar engineering budgets, forecasting, and cost control; allocate resources effectively.
Evaluate and implement new technologies, tools, and infrastructure to improve performance, reliability, and scalability.
Partner with product, program, and business leaders to align engineering deliverables with strategic goals.
Oversee disaster recovery, cybersecurity, and compliance planning for defense and aerospace programs.
Coordinate with suppliers, contractors, and external partners to ensure quality and timely delivery.