Engineering Manager

Department: Senior Staff
Reports To:  President
Date: 2/2/26

Position Summary

A small, 30+ year design and manufacturing firm in the Tampa Bay area is seeking a hands-on Engineering Manager to lead engineering projects in the aviation and soldier systems sectors. This role bridges strategic leadership and day-to-day execution, ensuring new and existing products are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), AS9100 and customer quality standards. The Engineering Manager will lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team, drive new product development and design-for-manufacturing through to production, and advance factory automation/semi-automation initiatives. Beyond technical qualifications, people skills, leadership qualities, and cultural fit are the most important characteristics for success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership

·        Lead and prioritize mechanical, electrical, and industrial engineering resources

·        Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement while mentoring engineers and engineering technicians for growth and job satisfaction

·        Provide engineering support for new product development, continuing engineering for existing products, and improvement of production operations

·        Manage engineering resource planning, budgets and priorities

Project Management

·        Manage engineering project lifecycles from concept through to production handoff utilizing project management systems

·        Ensure adherence to technical requirements, schedules, and cost targets

·        Develop project plans, budgets, schedule, and risk analysis

Manufacturing Support

·        Drive design-for-manufacturing and automation initiatives to improve quality, throughput, first pass yield and cost effectiveness

·        Implement lean practices and process improvements

·        Partner with Operations for continuing engineering and manufacturing support

Customer Interface

·        Respond to customer requests for proposal with cost effective solutions

·        Serve as the primary technical interface for aviation and military customers

·        Manage root cause analysis, corrective action and customer reporting for returns from the field

Quality & Compliance

·        Ensure engineering processes and documentation comply with AS9100 and customer flow downs and specifications

Qualifications

Education

·        Bachelor’s degree in industrial, mechanical, or electrical engineering.

·        Master’s degree is a plus

Experience

·        10+ years of engineering experience, including 5+ years in leadership positions

·        Aerospace or military manufacturing experience required

Skills & Expertise

·        Demonstrates strong oral and written communication and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across all internal levels, including customers, management, staff, and operators.

·        Proven success managing complex, multi-phase engineering projects (PMP or equivalent experience preferred)

·        Expertise in CAD tools, MRP systems, and Microsoft Office product range

·        Strong working knowledge of AS9100 or ISO9001 standards

·        Direct experience in process automation and design a plus

Culture & Fit

·        Absolute and total fit with company’s culture and people from top management down

·        Strong collaborative leadership skills in a close-knit team environment

·        Hands-on, out-of-your-seat management style

·        Superb character based on honesty, trust, and doing the “right” thing in dealing with both people and job responsibilities.

·        Small company pro-action vs. corporate/bureaucratic mindset

Citizenship

·        Must be a U.S. Person