Director of Engineering - Aerospace Manufacturing & NPI

Stark Aerospace Inc.

Columbus (MS)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 160,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Stark Aerospace Inc. seeks an accomplished engineering leader to direct Manufacturing Engineering, Test Engineering, and Configuration Management in a high-reliability aerospace environment in Columbus, Mississippi.

You will translate program requirements into actionable manufacturing plans, align resources to production ramp-ups, and establish clear metrics and accountability across the engineering organization.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering required (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical, Aerospace).
12+ years of progressive aerospace/defense manufacturing experience.
Proven leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Strong knowledge of AS9100, FAI, configuration management, and production engineering.
Experience with ERP/MES in regulated environments.
Experience leading NPI, tooling development, and process improvements.
Excellent cross-functional communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day activities for Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technicians Test Engineering, and Configuration Management.
Translate program requirements into manufacturing plans that meet cost, quality, schedule, and compliance.
Ensure engineering resources are aligned to production priorities and ramp-ups.
Establish clear accountability, metrics, and performance expectations across the engineering organization.
Serve as the primary engineering interface to Program Management, supporting proposals, production planning, and execution.
Partner with Manufacturing leadership to ensure process readiness, capacity planning, and efficient production flow.
Collaborate with Supply Chain on make/buy decisions, tooling strategies, supplier readiness, and manufacturability.
Work with the Quality Director to ensure robust process controls, FAI readiness, and AS9100/customer compliance.
Lead NPI execution and gate/phase reviews, ensuring readiness at each phase.
Drive tooling, fixtures, test equipment development and release prior to production authorization.
Identify and mitigate technical, schedule, and manufacturing risks early in the NPI lifecycle.
Champion continuous improvement with Lean, Six Sigma, and aerospace best practices.
Mentor and develop engineering staff; support workforce planning, hiring, and succession with the engineering organization.