Director of Engineering

The Role and Your Impact

We need an Engineering Director to own the path from R&D to production across the whole system. You'll lead multiple engineering disciplines from software, firmware, controls, hardware integration, test, and drive the hard handoff from a thing that works in the lab to a thing that survives downrange and gets built at volume. This is the person who turns a demonstrator into a weapon system. You'll set technical direction, and run the org that executes it.

What You'll Own

• Technical direction across software, firmware, controls, hardware integration, and test for the full system
• The R&D to production transition and authority architecture taking subsystems from prototype through field-ready and manufacturable
• Multi-team execution under ambiguous requirements, charting clear guidance and seeing projects through delivery
• Field testing leadership, from test article design through scoring system performance in non-lab conditions
• Building and scaling the engineering org from hiring, structure, and growing high-performing teams from the ground up
• Customer and program interface, translating mission requirements into engineering execution
• The technical bar across the team. An engineer first, and leader second. You raise it by how you work, not by what you say

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years in engineering with significant leadership of multi-disciplinary technical teams
• Track record taking complex hardware/software systems from R&D through production or field deployment
• Experience leading across disciplines - you don't have to be the deepest in every domain, but you have to earn the respect of engineers who are
• Demonstrated ability to scale teams and turn dysfunction or ambiguity into high-performing execution
• Comfort operating hands-on in a lab and on a test range, not just in planning tools

Nice to Haves

• Active or recent DoD security clearance
• Directed energy or high energy laser weapon system experience
• Experience standing up engineering processes and tooling for a scaling org
• US military background or deep experience working with military end users
• Track record of hiring and growing senior technical talent

Education

Advanced degree in a relevant engineering or physical science field is a plus, but track record beats credentials. No specific degree required.

How You Operate

• Extreme bias for action. You'd rather solve it now than schedule a meeting about it
• You handle problems before they hit anyone's inbox
• Comfortable with ambiguity and fast iteration in a startup environment
• Clear communicator across engineering, leadership, customers, and the range
• Self directed. You identify what needs to happen next and do it without being told

How We Work

Core hours are Monday through Friday, 9 to 6. When we're sprinting toward a demo or field test, the team ramps up - nights, weekends, whatever it takes to ship. When the sprint lands, we ramp down. We don't manufacture intensity for show.

Benefits

• Competitive salary + equity
• United Health Care medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible 18 days PTO + 5 sick days
• Travel to field test events and range days
• Covered daily lunches and office snacks + drinks
• E-bike / scooter stipend (Up to $500)
• Direct access to leadership and real ownership over your work

Export Control Notice

This role requires access to export-controlled information or items that require "U.S. Person" status. 1324b(a)(3).