Propulsion Systems Engineering Director

Moog; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 175,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

401k matching

Employee stock purchase plan

Flexible spending accounts

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Moog Space and Defense Group is seeking a Propulsion Systems Engineering Director in Buffalo, NY. You will lead the Propulsion BU Engineering organization, setting strategy, directing talent initiatives, and overseeing budgets, KPIs, and long‑term capability development.

You will collaborate with the Space Division and leadership teams to advance propulsion technology, ensure product integrity, and drive continuous improvement across programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline; MBA or Engineering Master’s preferred.
• 15+ years’ experience leading multi‑disciplined engineering teams including internal R&D.
• 7+ years in progressive leadership roles with strategy execution and lean/process improvement.
• Demonstrated consensus‑driven decision making; experience influencing stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen; experience bringing products through development to production.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Propulsion Business Unit Engineering organization: strategy, execution, workforce planning, budgets, and resource allocation across all segments.
• Direct engineering talent initiatives: recruitment, development, performance management, succession planning, mentoring and coaching.
• Oversee engineering operations: IRAD investments, technical execution, processes, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure teams deliver innovative, high‑quality solutions meeting customer requirements with top safety and lifecycle standards.
• Foster engineering excellence, collaboration, accountability, and change leadership within the BU.
• Establish and monitor KPIs and tiered management to ensure performance visibility and issue resolution.
• Develop long‑term workforce, capability, and technology strategies aligned to growth.
• Serve on Propulsion BU Leadership Team, contributing to planning and execution of objectives.
• Collaborate with Space Division Engineering Director on strategy, roadmap, and priorities.
• Build relationships with customers, partners, suppliers, and Moog stakeholders for collaboration.

Skills

Leadership

Lean techniques

Strategic planning

Stakeholder influence

Business acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Job Title

Propulsion Systems Engineering Director

Reporting To

Sr. Director, BUGM

Work Schedule

Onsite – Buffalo, NY

Moog Space and Defense Group is excited to announce an opportunity for a Propulsion Systems Engineering Director in our Propulsion Systems Business Unit within the Space Division.

The Engineering Director will report to the Propulsion Systems Business Unit General Manager, with accountability for business unit level engineering strategy, technical leadership, technology innovation, core processes, and workforce planning.

The Director will lead a multi-disciplined engineering team dedicated to executing current and future programs as well as developing next generation propulsion technologies. This role will collaborate closely with the Divisional engineering team in the areas of engineering best practice and innovation.

To be considered for this role, here’s what you will need to bring with you:

• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline, such as Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or Software; Master’s degree in Engineering or MBA preferred.

• 15+ years’ experience leading multi-disciplined Engineering teams, including Internal R&D initiatives.

• 7+ years in progressive leadership roles that include establishing and executing strategy as well as progressive growth/responsibilities related to implementing continuous improvement activities utilizing lean techniques, process improvement and variation reduction.

• Demonstrated competence in facilitative, consensus-driven decision making. Experience influencing both internal and external stakeholders.

• Strong business acumen; with experience bringing products through the development cycle into production.

Here’s what you will be doing on a day-to-day basis:

• Lead the Propulsion Business Unit Engineering organization, with overall accountability for engineering strategy, execution, workforce planning, budgets, capital forecasting, and engineering resource allocation across all business segments.

• Direct all engineering talent initiatives, including recruitment, development, performance management, succession planning, mentoring, and coaching to build a high‑performing technical organization.

• Oversee engineering operations, including IRAD investments, technical execution, engineering processes, organizational effectiveness, and continuous improvement initiatives that support business objectives and long-term growth.

• Ensure engineering teams deliver innovative, high-quality technical solutions that meet customer requirements while maintaining the highest standards of product integrity, reliability, safety, and lifecycle sustainability.

• Drive a culture of engineering excellence, collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement while serving as a key change leader within the Business Unit.

• Establish and monitor engineering performance through KPIs, metrics, and tiered management processes, ensuring visibility to performance and timely resolution of escalated issues.

• Develop long-term workforce, capability, and technology strategies by identifying skill gaps, aligning resources to business needs, and supporting future growth objectives.

• Serve as a key member of the Propulsion Business Unit Leadership Team, contributing to strategic planning, business performance reviews, capital planning, and execution of business objectives.

• Partner closely with the Space Division Engineering Director to develop and execute the Propulsion Business Unit’s engineering strategy, technology roadmap, and innovation priorities.

• Build strong relationships with customers, industry partners, suppliers, and internal stakeholders across Moog to drive collaboration, share best practices, and support overall business success.

How We Care for You:

• Financial Rewards: great compensation package, bonus opportunities , matching 401k, and the ability to participate in Employee Stock Purchase Plan (select locations), Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts

• Work/Life Balance: Flexible paid time off, holidays and parental leave program, relocation assistance.

• Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”) and other supplemental benefit coverages.

• Professional Skills Development: Tuition Assistance, mentorship and coaching opportunities, leadership development and other personal growth programs

• Culture: Warm, respectful, family‑like environment driven by our 12 core values. Multiple Employee Resource Groups led by our employees, open and welcoming to all.

Salary Range Transparency

Buffalo, NY $175,000.00–$230,000.00 Annually

Salary Range Disclaimer

The base salary range represents the low and high end of the Moog salary range for this position in the given work location. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range(s) listed is just one component of Moog’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, employee stock purchase plan, an open paid time off policy, and many region‑specific benefits.

This position requires access to U.S. export‑controlled information.

Moog offers an inclusive workplace, and, as such, affirms the right of every person to participate in all aspects of employment based on merit without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, contact our Human Resources department via phone at 844-367-5787.

No unsolicited agency submittals please. Agency partners must be invited to participate in a search by our Talent Acquisition Team and have signed terms in place prior to any submittal. Absent compliance with these pre-conditions resumes submitted directly to any Moog Inc. employee or affiliate will not qualify for fee payment, and therefore become the property of Moog Inc.