Director of RDT&E

Cypress Lake Solutions; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Health coverage

Life & disability insurance

PTO & holidays

Parental leave

Pre-tax savings

Tuition reimbursement

Leadership access

People-first culture

Job summary

Cypress Lake Solutions, LLC seeks an accomplished Director of RDT&E to lead DEVCOM AvMC Fires Directorate initiatives at Redstone Arsenal, AL. You will oversee complex test programs, integrate engineers and analysts, and advise senior customers on mission priorities and risk management.

You will shape Cypress Lake’s capability development and growth, foster collaboration across teams, and ensure rigorous execution in safety, quality, and discipline while advancing advanced defense technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in engineering from an accredited institution.
• At least 25 years of RDT&E experience.
• At least 10 years of experience leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience planning or overseeing developmental test and evaluation activities.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen with an active Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Support critical RDT&E missions.
• Lead complex test efforts and coordinate flight tests.
• Integrate multidisciplinary teams across projects.
• Advise customers and leadership with clear recommendations.
• Promote disciplined execution ensuring safety, quality and risk management.
• Strengthen RDT&E capabilities and technology maturation.
• Develop technical talent and mentor engineers.
• Support Cypress Lake’s growth through engagement and proposals.
• Represent Cypress Lake Solutions at industry events.

Skills

Executive communication

Leadership

Strategic advising

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Job description

Cypress Lake Solutions Director of RDT&E Redstone Arsenal, AL Full time Company website Apply for Director of RDT&E

Cypress Lake Solutions, LLC is seeking an accomplished Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) leader to support the DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC) Fires Directorate. The Director of RDT&E will provide senior technical and operational leadership for complex developmental test efforts, integrate multidisciplinary teams, and advise customers on mission priorities, technical risk, and resource requirements. The Director will also contribute technical leadership to Cypress Lake’s capability development, industry engagement, strategic planning, and long-term growth.

About Cypress Lake Solutions

Cypress Lake Solutions is a mission-driven small business based in North Alabama near Redstone Arsenal, serving the heart of the U.S. defense and aerospace community. Our mission is to serve with integrity, lead with compassion, and deliver with excellence-putting people first in every solution we provide. We are more than a service provider; we are stewards of trust who value meaningful relationships with our clients, employees, and community. Rooted in faith and principles of servant leadership, we strive to operate with humility, transparency, and the belief that doing what is right always comes before doing what is easy. Our culture is shaped by four guiding priorities:

Faith: We lead with integrity and a commitment to ethical decision-making.
Family: We support employees’ responsibilities at home and encourage healthy work-life balance.
Fulfillment: We help our team pursue meaningful work and grow professionally.
Fellowship: We value camaraderie, teamwork, and celebrating achievements.

Employees at Cypress Lake are treated as trusted professionals and empowered to excel in their mission.

Description

Director of RDT&E

Cypress Lake Solutions, LLC is seeking an accomplished Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) leader to support the DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC) Fires Directorate. The Director of RDT&E will provide senior technical and operational leadership across complex test programs, bringing together multidisciplinary teams, customer priorities, and mission requirements.

Location

This position supports the U.S. Army DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC) Fires Directorate at Redstone Arsenal, located near Huntsville, AL.

Work environment primarily consists of onsite office space and conference rooms and may also include engineering laboratories, machine shops, fabrication facilities, ammunition and explosives work areas, outdoor weapons test ranges, and operational demilitarization facilities.

What You’ll Do

• Support critical RDT&E missions. Provide senior-level technical, operational, and programmatic support across AvMC Fires Directorate RDT&E mission areas.
• Lead complex test efforts. Help plan, coordinate, execute, and assess flight tests and other developmental test activities involving advanced weapon systems and technologies.
• Integrate multidisciplinary teams. Bring together engineers, test specialists, analysts, operators, and other stakeholders to solve complex technical challenges and accomplish mission objectives.
• Advise customers and leadership. Translate technical findings, operational risks, resource needs, and program priorities into clear recommendations for senior decision-makers.
• Promote disciplined execution. Help ensure technical rigor, safety, quality, and risk management remain central to the planning and execution of complex or hazardous test activities.
• Strengthen RDT&E capabilities. Identify opportunities to improve technical processes, test infrastructure, workforce capabilities, and the application of emerging technologies.
• Develop technical talent. Mentor engineers and specialists while encouraging collaboration, professional growth, and knowledge transfer across project teams.
• Support company growth. Contribute technical leadership to Cypress Lake’s capability development, industry engagement, strategic planning, teaming, capture, and proposal activities.
• Represent Cypress Lake Solutions. Participate in industry events, capability briefings, and other professional engagements that communicate the company’s technical experience and value.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from an accredited institution.
• At least 25 years of progressively responsible RDT&E experience.
• At least 10 years of experience leading complex, multidisciplinary teams of engineers, technical specialists, and support personnel.
• Extensive experience planning, leading, or overseeing developmental test and evaluation activities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical organizations, programs, or portfolios while balancing customer priorities, workforce requirements, schedules, resources, risk, safety, and quality.
• Strong executive communication skills, including experience briefing senior leaders and advising customers on technical, operational, and strategic matters.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships and collaborate effectively with government customers, industry partners, and technical stakeholders.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and possess an active Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree in engineering, technical management, business, or a related field.
• Senior leadership experience supporting missile, aviation, sensor, flight-test, or other advanced defense-system programs.
• Experience overseeing large, customer-funded technical portfolios, including budgeting, resource allocation, workforce planning, and capability investment.
• Broad familiarity with engineering disciplines such as mechanical and electrical design, instrumentation, dynamics, materials and failure analysis, advanced manufacturing, and systems integration.
• Experience applying or advancing digital engineering, model-based systems engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, distributed test capabilities, or other emerging technologies.
• Experience supporting organizational growth, modernization, change management, capture strategy, teaming, and proposal development.

What We Offer

We provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee wellbeing, stability, and long-term success. Our offerings include:

• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching
• Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, dental, and vision
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Pre-tax savings programs, including Health FSA and Dependent Care FSA (DCRA)
• Tuition reimbursement for approved programs
• Direct access to leadership in a supportive small-business environment
• A people-first culture emphasizing integrity, balance, and personal growth

Our goal is to equip our employees with the resources, respect, and support they need to thrive - professionally, personally, and spiritually.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cypress Lake Solutions, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.