Sr Director, R&D Eng

General Dynamics - Ordnance and Tactical Systems (WA); Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 209,500 - 283,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive healthcare

401k plan

Paid holidays

PTO

Job summary

General Dynamics - Ordnance and Tactical Systems (WA) is searching for a Sr Director of R&D Engineering in Bothell, WA. This role involves leading multiple engineering teams to develop and improve products in compliance with industry standards. Ideal candidates should have significant experience in engineering management, a strong educational background, and expertise in project management.

The role includes competitive pay ranging from $209,500 to $283,400, comprehensive benefits, and a focus on career progression within a dynamic and supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree and 10-12 years’ experience or equivalent required.
• Management skills and ability to foster teamwork.
• Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Directs and coordinates engineering activities for R&D.
• Ensures quality and industry standards in development.
• Develops plans including budget and training proposals.
• Collaborates with program managers for resource allocation.

Skills

Management skills

Analytical thinking

Detail oriented

Research

Project management

Strong written and verbal communication

Education

Associate’s Degree with 10-12 years’ experience or equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Master’s Degree in science or engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Job description

Sr Director, R&D Eng

Location: US-WA-Bothell

Requisition ID: 2026-36044

Position Type: Full Time

Position Classification: On-Site

Job Function: Engineering

Company Overview

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (OTS) is a global leader in the design, engineering and production of munitions, energetics, weapons, armaments, and missile subsystems around the world. OTS empowers the U.S. military and its allies with an extensive range of overarching product segments applied across all levels of strategic and tactical operations, providing a cutting‑edge advantage to our warfighters.

Our Ethos of Honesty, Trust, Transparency, and Alignment are the guiding principles that form the foundation of everything we do. Integrity is paramount, innovation fuels our passion, customer satisfaction is at the core of our mission, and collaboration is key to our success – fostering a culture of teamwork and mutual respect among employees, partners, and stakeholders.

We offer a robust total rewards package that includes compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement, and work/life benefits that include career development and recognition programs.

We invite you to join our high‑performance team.

Job Summary

• Directs and coordinates the engineering activities of multiple related teams in support of business unit research and development programs.
• Ensures that quality levels, industry and business standards are maintained or improved in the development process through transition to production.
• Coordinates with program managers and business leadership to allocate resources in accordance with organizational priorities.
• Develops departmental plans, including budget, internal research and development, capital expenditure and training proposals.
• Develops subordinates for career progression towards advanced technical, leadership, and customer‑facing roles.

Impact of the Role

• Provides leadership and direction through managers.
• Must have at least one manager level direct report.
• Is accountable for the performance and results of a division or region.
• Executes business plans and contributes to the development of functional strategy.
• Decisions are guided by functional or major operational segment strategy and priorities.
• Consistent exercise of discretion & judgment.

Essential Functions

• Directs and oversees the organization’s engineering research, design, and development activities with the goal of developing new or improved products, processes, or services.
• Specifies precise new product functional requirements; designs, tests and integrates components to produce final designs; and evaluates the design’s overall effectiveness, cost, reliability and safety.
• Designs, develops, executes and evaluates fitness-for-use testing, product specifications and process validation plans; creates and reviews material part specifications and bills of materials.
• Collaborates with internal manufacturing partners, contract manufacturers, designers and product specialists to optimize designs for manufacturability.
• Utilizes CAD or CAE systems to model new designs and produce detailed engineering drawings.
• Develops project plans, reviews research specifications, secures resources, monitors project progress, and provides regular reports to leadership teams.
• Ensures that all laboratory activities comply with regulatory guidelines, and quality and/or performance standards.
• Manages research activities and guides subordinates in the application of scientific or engineering principles to the product development process.
• Leads and directs the work of other employees and has responsibility for personnel decisions with concurrence from HR & Senior Leadership.
• Establishes and administers policies and procedures, departmental budgeting, strategic planning, and procedural change.

Required Qualifications

• Required education and experience: Associate’s Degree and 10-12 years’ experience OR Equivalent Combination of Relevant Education &/or Experience
• Critical professional related technical skills; computer skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred education and experience: Bachelor’s Degree
• Discipline/Major: Science or Engineering degree preferred
• Knowledge, skills & abilities: Management skills; Foster teamwork; Analytical thinking; Detail oriented; Research; Project management.
• Strong computer skills, administrative data control, scheduling and team interface.
• Strong written, digital and verbal communication skills in both an individual and team environment.
• Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
• Master’s degree in science or engineering.
• Experience in a DoD environment.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Working knowledge of munitions: associated platforms, strategic and tactical systems, and military munitions/platform interface requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time.
• Requires regular movement throughout GD-OTS facilities.
• Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.

Travel Requirements

Up to 25% travel likely.

Pay Range (USD)

$209,500 - $283,400

Pay Transparency Statement

The salary range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum for salary for this position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, internal equity, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the range during the hiring process.

Additional Compensation - ICP

Hired applicant will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Incentive Compensation Program.

Benefits

Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, and basic life insurance as well as pre-tax spending accounts. Employees are also able to enroll in the company’s 401k plan and are eligible for the Non-Contributory Retirement Contribution. In addition to the benefits discussed above, the company offers the following voluntary benefits: Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, Enhanced Legal Services, Auto and Home Insurance, Pet Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Educational Assistance.

PTO, Holiday, and Family Leave

Employees will receive 11 paid holidays and 120 hours of PTO annually and up to 3 weeks paid family leave.

Legal Disclaimer

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. The statements do not represent an exhaustive list of required responsibilities and skills. Other duties may be added or this job description may be amended at any time. This job description does not alter an employee’s at-will employment status or create an employment agreement or contract, implied or otherwise.