Engineering Manager

Attalon, Inc.; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 202,500; Full time

Job summary

Attalon, Inc. in Longmont, Colorado is looking for an Engineering Manager for its Electro-Optical group. This leadership role involves overseeing recruitment and guiding a multidisciplinary team in developing high-energy laser systems. The ideal candidate will combine technical expertise with management skills to foster a culture of innovation.

The position offers a salary range of $120,000.00 to $202,500.00 and is based on experience, education, and market conditions. Candidates must be eligible for U.S. export control compliance.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in integrated optical and precision systems.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee recruitment and development for the engineering team.
• Manage design and analysis resources for laser systems.
• Drive innovation through advanced engineering methods.

Skills

Leadership

Optical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Systems Engineering

Controls Engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

About this position

Attalon is a leading technology partner to the global aerospace and defense industry, specializing in the physics of light and heat. With over 500 employees in the U.S., Attalon engineers critical optical, laser, and coating technologies that enable systems to see farther, target faster, and survive the harshest environments. From high-energy directed laser systems to satellite optics and hypersonic thermal protection, Attalon equips the warfighter with the advantage of precision.

Located along Colorado’s scenic Front Range and nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Longmont offers a high quality of life, breathtaking natural beauty, and easy access to outdoor recreation, making it the perfect place to balance work and play.

This role is an on-site position based in Longmont, CO. Our Laser and Gimbal Systems Division focuses on building high energy lasers and precision opto‑mechanical assemblies for the defense market, supporting critical national security initiatives and defense innovation. At Attalon, we’re redefining performance, precision, and reliability in defense technologies.

We are seeking an experienced Engineering Manager for our Electro‑Optical group, a multidisciplinary team of Optical, Electrical, Systems, and Controls Engineers at our location in Longmont, CO. In this role, you will provide strategic and technical leadership to a highly skilled engineering team responsible for developing and delivering cutting‑edge technologies and systems. You will oversee team recruitment, talent development, and performance management while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and a customer‑focused mindset. By driving technical excellence across multiple disciplines and ensuring seamless integration of optical, electrical, systems, and controls components, you will play a critical role in ensuring the successful execution of programs and initiatives. This position entails an approximate 80/20 balance between direct technical contributions and administrative management responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership and Management
• Oversee recruitment, career development, performance assessments, salary planning, and employee recognition for the mechanical engineering team.
• Foster a collaborative, high‑performing team environment by mentoring and coaching engineers, promoting skill development, and ensuring knowledge transfer initiatives.
• Conduct gap assessments, define training plans, and implement strategies to enhance the team’s technical capabilities.
• Actively promote a customer‑focused mindset to ensure the delivery of innovative and reliable mechanical solutions.
• Project and Resource Oversight
• Plan and manage design and analysis resources to support the successful execution of a portfolio of laser and gimbal system programs.
• Allocate resources effectively to support program requirements, meet deadlines, and drive program success.
• Maintain close oversight of Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) planning and support Basis of Estimate (BOE) generation activities related to engineering tasks.
• Technical Leadership
• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) in your own domain of expertise (Optical, Electrical, Systems, or Controls Engineering), while developing a high‑level understanding of the other disciplines to effectively oversee, guide, and support the team.
• Provide technical oversight across all disciplines, ensuring engineering solutions meet performance, reliability, manufacturability, and affordability goals.
• Actively contribute as an individual technical contributor in your specific domain of expertise, while providing technical leadership and strategic direction for engineering efforts across Optical, Electrical, Systems, and Controls disciplines.
• Mentor technical leads and engineers within other disciplines to help them solve problems, manage risks, and drive alignment to overall system design and performance objectives.
• Design and Development
• Oversee design, analyses, and integration efforts within your own domain of expertise on programs to ensure compliance with performance, programmatic, and quality requirements.
• Support system‑level design coordination with cross‑functional teams, including Systems Engineering, Electrical, Software, Test, and Manufacturing, to integrate designs into comprehensive hardware solutions.
• Program Execution and Business Development Support
• Support program development efforts, including customer proposal development, system requirements definition, and technical reviews.
• Guide the team to align engineering efforts with organizational and programmatic goals, ensuring project deadlines and cost‑efficiency expectations are met.
• Advancing Technology and Innovation
• Drive innovation through collaboration, exploration of new methodologies and tools, and integration of advanced engineering technologies for performance improvement.
• Define and execute strategic initiatives to grow the team’s capabilities and align with future program objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum ten years of related experience in a professional role with a Bachelor’s degree or related discipline.
• Minimum of seven years of experience with a Master’s degree or three years with a Ph.D. in a relevant field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced technical expertise in one of the primary disciplines relevant to the role (Optical, Electrical, Systems, or Controls Engineering), with a focus on technologies involving optical systems (e.g., lasers, imagers) or precision pointing mechanisms (e.g., gimbaled telescopes).
• Demonstrated experience in the design, development, and integration of complex optical systems, precision pointing systems, or related hardware and technologies.
• Strong understanding of the challenges associated with integrating optical, electrical, mechanical, and software systems, including design constraints, performance trade‑offs, interfaces, and alignment requirements for precision‑pointing, optical, systems.
• Familiarity with systems engineering tools and practices: Knowledge of methodologies such as error budgeting, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Technical Performance Measure (TPM) tracking.
• Exposure to optical systems integration and testing: Experience with integrating, aligning, or testing optical systems is highly valued, and familiarity with optical and dynamic testing or data analysis is a plus.
• Extensive knowledge of precision pointing mechanisms, including the design, control, and stabilization of gimbaled systems for enhanced performance and reliability.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills: Effective communication and collaboration skills with a proven ability to work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team. Attention to detail and a structured approach to problem‑solving are essential.

For Colorado, the salary pay range for this role is $120,000.00- $202,500.00

Please note this range is provided as a general guideline. When determining an offer, Attalon takes into account multiple factors, including (but not limited to) the responsibilities of the position, your professional experience, education and training, specialized skills, and current market and business conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Attalon, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Export Control Compliance

This role involves access to technology, materials, software, or hardware subject to U.S. export control laws. Therefore, to be considered, candidates must be classified as a “U.S. Person” under applicable regulations or be eligible for authorization under a U.S. government export license.