VP, Engineering

govconcareershub.com; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 190,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

GovCon Careers Hub seeks a Vice President of Engineering to build high-performing teams and drive technical execution for complex, custom automation programs in regulated environments.

The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on engagement in design reviews, risk management, budgeting, and proposals, ensuring safe, compliant, and cost-effective engineering outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Manufacturing/Controls/Systems Engineering or related field.
• 15+ years in engineering, with progress in custom automation/advanced manufacturing environments.
• 8+ years leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• 5+ years supporting government contracting and regulated manufacturing.
• Demonstrated leadership across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Experience delivering complex engineered systems from concept to delivery.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across mechanical, electrical, controls/automation, and process engineering.
• Build and mentor multidisciplinary engineering teams and future leaders.
• Establish standards, best practices, and scalable processes.
• Oversee resource allocation, staffing, budgets, and performance.
• Drive standardization, design verification, and continuous improvement.
• Lead complex programs from concept through testing, commissioning, and customer acceptance.
• Engage with customers and stakeholders on technical matters and performance.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Cross-functional leadership

Government contracting

Budgeting

Risk assessment

Proposal support

Leadership across multiple eng. Disc.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

PLM/PDM

ERP/MRP

EVMS

Job description

We are partnering with an established organization specializing in advanced manufacturing, complex engineered-to-order systems, and customized industrial automation solutions serving highly regulated industrial and government markets.

We are seeking an accomplished Vice President of Engineering who is passionate about building high-performing engineering teams, solving complex technical challenges, and driving innovative engineering solutions from initial concept through successful delivery.

This is an opportunity for an experienced engineering executive to have a meaningful influence on engineering strategy, organizational development, technical execution, and operational excellence.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who can think strategically while remaining closely connected to the engineering and manufacturing processes that drive successful outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Organizational Development

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across Mechanical, Electrical, Controls/Automation, and Process Engineering.
• Build, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary engineering teams and future engineering leaders.
• Establish engineering strategies, technical standards, best practices, and scalable processes.
• Oversee engineering resource allocation, staffing, budgets, and organizational performance.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration.

Engineering & Technical Execution

• Lead complex, custom-engineered manufacturing and automation programs from concept and design through integration, testing, commissioning, and customer acceptance.
• Oversee engineering solutions involving mechanical systems, electrical systems, industrial controls, PLC/HMI/SCADA, robotics, and manufacturing processes.
• Ensure engineering designs meet performance, safety, quality, manufacturability, and cost objectives.
• Provide executive oversight of technical design reviews, engineering challenges, risk mitigation, and problem resolution.
• Drive engineering standardization, configuration management, design verification, and continuous improvement.

Business & Program Leadership

• Collaborate with Program Management, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and executive leadership to ensure successful program execution.
• Support complex technical proposals, engineering estimates, resource planning, and project budgeting.
• Oversee engineering labor forecasts, technical risks, cost performance, and project deliverables.
• Contribute to technology roadmaps, engineering investments, and long-term organizational growth.
• Engage with customers and stakeholders on technical matters, program performance, and engineering solutions.

Quality, Compliance & Safety

• Ensure engineering activities align with applicable government contracting requirements, including FAR/DFARS.
• Support engineering quality systems consistent with AS9100 and ISO 9001 principles.
• Promote disciplined engineering processes, technical documentation, change management, and corrective-action practices.
• Champion safe engineering and manufacturing practices, including applicable OSHA requirements and industrial safety standards.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Controls/Automation, Systems Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive engineering experience in custom automation, advanced manufacturing, industrial equipment, systems integration, or complex engineered-to-order environments.
• 8+ years of engineering leadership experience managing engineering leaders and multidisciplinary technical teams.
• 5+ years of experience supporting government contracting, regulated manufacturing, or comparable federal contracting environments.
• Demonstrated leadership across multiple engineering disciplines, including Mechanical, Electrical, Controls/Automation, and Process/Manufacturing Engineering.
• Proven experience leading engineering organizations responsible for designing, developing, building, and delivering complex engineered systems.
• Experience supporting major technical proposals, engineering estimates, budgeting, resource planning, and risk assessments.
• Strong financial and commercial understanding of engineering budgets, labor forecasting, project costs, and technical tradeoffs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Experience with specialized manufacturing equipment, automated production systems, complex industrial machinery, or advanced automation.
• Experience operating within AS9100-certified engineering or manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with EVMS, engineering Basis of Estimates (BOEs), and Estimate at Completion (EAC) processes.
• Experience with PLM/PDM, ERP/MRP, engineering change management, and digital engineering tools.
• Professional certifications such as PE, PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or comparable credentials.
• Active or previously held U.S. Government security clearance.

The Leadership Profile

We're particularly interested in engineering executives who bring more than traditional management experience.

The ideal leader has personally guided engineering organizations responsible for creating and delivering complex engineered solutions, not simply overseeing the installation or implementation of automation systems.

You should enjoy developing talented engineers, strengthening processes, making critical technical decisions, and partnering across an organization to turn ambitious engineering concepts into successful operational solutions.