Director – Specialty Engineering

Jobtailor; Alabama; On-site; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Sentinel Systems Engineering seeks a senior leader to head the Specialty Engineering organization within defense programs in Alabama. You will guide MBSE efforts, ensure design compliance, and translate mission requirements into actionable plans.

The role requires an active US Secret clearance, a strong Systems Engineering background in aerospace, and proven experience building high‑performing teams while communicating effectively with customers and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with 10+ years of progressive engineering experience, or Master’s with 8+ years.
• Experience leading engineering teams and/or organizations to achieve a common goal.
• Active US Government Secret clearance, with investigation completed within the last 5 years.
• U.S. Citizenship is required for positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
• MBSE experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead the Specialty Engineering organization within Sentinel Systems Engineering.
• Support the Systems Engineering Element Lead.
• Direct implementation of specialty systems engineering requirements and processes across program segments, teams, and subcontractor locations.
• Manage specialty engineering work scope, including planning, budgeting, and reporting.
• Coordinate specialty engineering topics across integrated product teams.
• Lead and coordinate internal and external stakeholder engagements, including engineering review boards, change control boards, customer sync meetings, and formal working groups.
• Ensure flow, decomposition, and satisfaction of specialty engineering requirements and design compliance.
• Establish and direct model-based digital engineering processes for Sentinel design and development.
• Ensure specialty engineering product quality and consistency.
• Interface with product and program team leadership and implement systems engineering priorities.
• Provide technical leadership and oversight for Human Systems Integration, Nuclear Hardness and Survivability, E3, and System Safety.
• Mentor high-potential leaders and advise program leads.
• Horizontally integrate across the Systems Engineering directorate and Engineering and Manufacturing Operations organization.
• Provide independent reviews of software, hardware, and deliverables, including focused program and product team deep dives.
• Drive compliance with processes and procedures.
• Identify and support engagement activities across programs.
• Provide advisement to program leads and embedded resources as required.

Skills

MBSE

Systems Engineering

CAD

Project Management

Requirements Verification

Compliance Management

Technical Leadership

Budgeting

Stakeholder Engagement

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in STEM

Master’s Degree in STEM

Tools

CAD software

MBSE tools

Job description

• Lead the Specialty Engineering organization within Sentinel Systems Engineering
• Support the Systems Engineering Element Lead
• Direct implementation of specialty systems engineering requirements and processes across program segments, teams, and subcontractor locations
• Manage specialty engineering work scope, including planning, budgeting, and reporting
• Coordinate specialty engineering topics across integrated product teams
• Lead and coordinate internal and external stakeholder engagements, including engineering review boards, change control boards, customer sync meetings, and formal working groups
• Ensure flow, decomposition, and satisfaction of specialty engineering requirements and design compliance
• Establish and direct model-based digital engineering processes for Sentinel design and development
• Ensure specialty engineering product quality and consistency
• Interface with product and program team leadership and implement systems engineering priorities
• Provide technical leadership and oversight for Human Systems Integration, Nuclear Hardness and Survivability, E3, and System Safety
• Mentor high-potential leaders and advise program leads
• Horizontally integrate across the Systems Engineering directorate and Engineering and Manufacturing Operations organization
• Provide independent reviews of software, hardware, and deliverables, including focused program and product team deep dives
• Drive compliance with processes and procedures
• Identify and support engagement activities across programs
• Provide advisement to program leads and embedded resources as required

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in STEM with at least 10 years of progressive engineering experience, or Master’s and 8 years’ of experience
• Experience leading engineering teams and/or organizations to achieve a common goal
• Active US Government Secret clearance, with investigation completed within the last 5 years
• U.S. Citizenship is required for positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions
• ICBM or complex aerospace systems experience preferred
• Experience in Human Systems Integration, Nuclear Hardness and Survivability, Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3), System Safety, Specialty Integration, and Compliance Requirements/Verification preferred
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) experience preferred
• Design Engineering/Computer-aided Design (CAD) experience preferred
• Prior experience interfacing with prime contractor site leads and USAF leadership personnel preferred
• Prior experience with Air Force Range Safety preferred
• Active DoD TS/SCI clearance preferred
• Experience leading tasks on schedule, at cost, and achieving requirements as project lead, integrated program team, or cost account manager preferred
• Demonstrated effectiveness managing people and internal processes and customer/supplier relationships preferred
• Strong understanding and broad application of complex engineering systems preferred
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including high-value customer presentations, preferred
• Experience working closely with customers to deliver systems meeting warfighter needs preferred
• Ability to collaborate and achieve consensus across diverse organizations and backgrounds preferred
• Demonstrated sound decision-making in uncertain and difficult situations preferred
• Strong sense of urgency and work ethic preferred

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in leading specialty engineering teams, implementing model-based systems engineering processes, and ensuring compliance with engineering requirements. Proven ability to manage complex engineering projects while fostering collaboration across diverse teams and stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
• Human Systems Integration
• Nuclear Hardness and Survivability
• Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3)
• Strong Oral and Written Communication Skills

Hard Skills

• Engineering Management
• Systems Engineering
• Design Engineering
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
• Project Management
• Requirements Verification
• Compliance Management
• Technical Leadership
• Budgeting
• Planning

Soft Skills

• Collaboration
• Decision-Making
• Mentoring
• Customer Engagement
• Communication

Certifications & Qualifications

• Active US Government Secret Clearance
• Active DoD TS/SCI Clearance

Industry Keywords

• Specialty Engineering
• Aerospace Systems
• Integrated Product Teams
• Change Control Boards
• Engineering Review Boards
• Air Force Range Safety
• Stakeholder Engagement