Senior Director, Applications Engineering

MP Materials; Fort Worth (TX); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

MP Materials in Fort Worth, TX, seeks a Senior Director of Applications Engineering to lead the strategy and execution of the applications engineering function, aligning technical solutions with business goals and customer success.

You will mentor a high-performing team, collaborate with product, R&D, and customers, drive SDLC best practices, and deliver enterprise-grade application solutions that support MP Materials' growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, CS, or related technical field.
• 10+ years in applications engineering or software development; 5+ years in leadership.
• Proven track record managing large engineering teams delivering enterprise-grade solutions.
• Strong SDLC, Agile, and modern engineering practices; excellent communication across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the applications engineering team to design, develop, and deploy advanced application solutions.
• Develop strategic plans to improve engineering processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Collaborate with product management to translate requirements into actionable plans.
• Manage resource allocation, budgeting, and project timelines.
• Mentor engineering managers and individual contributors to maintain high morale.
• Drive innovation by adopting emerging technologies and industry trends.
• Establish strong relationships with customers and partners for technical leadership.

Skills

Leadership

SDLC knowledge

Agile methodologies

Communication

Team mentoring

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Computer Science

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

AWS

Azure

Google Cloud

Microservices

Containerization

DevOps practices

Job description

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Senior Director, Applications Engineering

Full Time Fort Worth, TX, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 2290

About the Role:

The Senior Director of Applications Engineering will lead and oversee the strategic direction and execution of the applications engineering function within the organization. This role is pivotal in driving innovation, ensuring the successful delivery of complex engineering projects, and aligning technical solutions with business objectives. The Senior Director will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including product management, R&D, and customer success to develop scalable and high-quality application solutions. They will be responsible for mentoring and developing a high-performing team of engineers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence. Ultimately, this position ensures that the applications engineering team delivers impactful solutions that enhance customer satisfaction and support the company’s growth initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• At least 10 years of experience in applications engineering or software development, with a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of managing large, complex engineering teams and delivering enterprise-grade application solutions.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC), agile methodologies, and modern engineering best practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across multiple teams and levels of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher in Engineering, Computer Science, or Business Administration.
• Experience in a senior leadership role within a technology-driven company, preferably in the software or SaaS industry.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and modern application architectures such as microservices and containerization.
• Demonstrated success in driving digital transformation initiatives and implementing DevOps practices.
• Professional certifications related to project management, software architecture, or cloud technologies.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the applications engineering team in designing, developing, and deploying advanced application solutions that meet customer and business needs.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to improve engineering processes, tools, and methodologies to increase efficiency and quality.
• Collaborate with product management and other stakeholders to define technical requirements and translate them into actionable engineering plans.
• Manage resource allocation, budgeting, and project timelines to ensure successful delivery of engineering projects.
• Mentor and coach engineering managers and individual contributors to foster professional growth and maintain high team morale.
• Drive innovation by staying current with industry trends and emerging technologies, integrating relevant advancements into the engineering roadmap.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key customers and partners to understand their needs and provide technical leadership.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, security protocols, and regulatory requirements in all engineering activities.

Skills:

The Senior Director will utilize strong leadership and strategic planning skills daily to guide the applications engineering team towards achieving business goals. Technical expertise in software development and architecture will be essential for making informed decisions and providing technical direction. Communication skills are critical for effectively collaborating with stakeholders, presenting complex technical concepts, and negotiating priorities. The ability to manage multiple projects and resources simultaneously requires excellent organizational and problem-solving skills. Additionally, staying abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends enables the Senior Director to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge in solution delivery.