Executive Director, Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing

MOHR Talent; West Point (MS); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

MOHR Talent seeks an hands-on Director/Manager, Engineering to guide Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technicians, Test Engineering, and Configuration Management in an aerospace/defense manufacturing setting.

You will drive day-to-day engineering activities, translate requirements into executable manufacturing plans, and align resources with production priorities and ramp-ups. A strong focus on quality, safety, and continuous improvement is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical, Aerospace, or a related engineering field.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100, FAI, configuration management, and production engineering.
• Familiarity with ERP and MES systems in a regulated manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day activities across Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technicians, Test Engineering, and Configuration Management.
• Translate program requirements into executable manufacturing plans that meet cost, quality, schedule, and compliance objectives.
• Align engineering resources with production priorities and program ramp-ups.
• Establish clear accountability, metrics, and performance expectations across the engineering organization.
• Serve as the primary engineering partner to Program Management, supporting proposals, production planning, and program execution.
• Partner with Manufacturing leadership on 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 maintain process controls, first article inspection readiness, and compliance with AS9100 and customer requirements.
• Lead engineering execution for new product introductions, from development through production.
• Establish and lead formal NPI gate and phase reviews to confirm technical, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain readiness.
• Drive manufacturability reviews, risk assessments, and production readiness reviews.
• Ensure tooling, fixtures, test equipment, and work instructions are developed, validated, and released before production authorization.
• Identify and address technical, schedule, and manufacturing risks early in the NPI process.
• Lead the development and deployment of production tooling, fixtures, and test equipment.
• Drive automation initiatives that improve safety, quality, throughput, and cost.
• Implement error-proofing strategies across manufacturing and test processes.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts using Lean, Six Sigma, and aerospace manufacturing practices.
• Maintain disciplined configuration management, change control, and engineering documentation.
• Oversee engineering changes while minimizing disruption to production.
• Maintain compliance with AS9100, customer specifications, and internal engineering standards.
• Support internal, external, customer, and regulatory audits.
• Mentor and develop engineering leaders and technical staff.
• Support workforce planning, hiring, and succession development within engineering.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing Engineering

Cross-functional leadership

Program management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical, Aerospace, or related engineering field

12+ years of progressive experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing

Master’s degree in engineering or MBA (preferred)

Tools

ERP systems

MES systems

Job description

MOHR Talent seeks an hands-on Director/Manager, Engineering to guide Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technicians, Test Engineering, and Configuration Management in an aerospace/defense manufacturing setting.

You will drive day-to-day engineering activities, translate requirements into executable manufacturing plans, and align resources with production priorities and ramp-ups. A strong focus on quality, safety, and continuous improvement is essential.