Assistant To Program Director Jobs in Starkville, MS

Position Summary
The Director of Engineering leads daily engineering operations within an AS9100-certified aerospace manufacturing environment. This role provides strategic and operational oversight to Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technicians, Test Engineering, and Configuration Management to ensure technical rigor, production readiness, and full regulatory compliance across all programs.

Reporting to the Vice President of Engineering, this leader serves as a key cross-functional partner to Program Management, Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing. The position is instrumental in driving operational performance, supporting scalable growth, and advancing continuous improvement initiatives. It also plays a pivotal role in New Product Introduction (NPI), tooling and automation strategy, and the implementation of robust, error-proofed manufacturing processes.

• Direct and oversee daily activities across Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technicians, Test Engineering, and Configuration Management.

• Convert program requirements into executable manufacturing plans that meet cost, quality, schedule, and compliance targets.

• Align engineering resources with production demands and program ramp schedules.

• Establish clear performance expectations, accountability structures, and measurable metrics for the engineering organization.

• Act as the primary engineering liaison to Program Management, supporting proposals, production planning, and program execution.

• Partner with Manufacturing leadership to ensure process readiness, capacity planning, and optimized production flow.

• Collaborate with Supply Chain on make/buy analyses, tooling strategies, supplier readiness, and design for manufacturability.

• Work closely with Quality leadership to maintain strong process controls, First Article Inspection (FAI) readiness, and compliance with AS9100 and customer requirements.

• Lead engineering execution for NPI programs, ensuring a structured transition from development to full-rate production.

• Establish and conduct formal NPI phase-gate reviews to confirm technical, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain readiness.

• Drive manufacturability assessments, risk analyses, and production readiness reviews throughout the NPI lifecycle.

• Ensure tooling, fixtures, test equipment, and work instructions are validated and released prior to production authorization.

• Proactively identify and mitigate technical, schedule, and manufacturing risks.

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of production tooling, fixtures, and test systems.

• Advance automation initiatives to enhance safety, quality, throughput, and cost performance.

• Implement error-proofing (poka-yoke) strategies across manufacturing and test operations.

• Champion continuous improvement efforts utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, and aerospace manufacturing best practices.

• Maintain disciplined configuration control, change management, and documentation standards.

• Oversee engineering change implementation to minimize production disruption.

• Ensure ongoing compliance with AS9100, customer specifications, and internal engineering standards.

• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits.

• Coach and develop engineering managers and technical professionals.

• Lead workforce planning, talent acquisition, and succession planning efforts.

• Promote a culture centered on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical, Aerospace, or related discipline).

• 12+ years of progressive experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing.

• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Strong working knowledge of AS9100, First Article Inspection (FAI), configuration management, and production engineering practices.

• Proven track record in NPI leadership, tooling development, and manufacturing process improvement.

• Experience with ERP and MES systems in regulated manufacturing environments.

• Excellent cross-functional communication and leadership capabilities.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Engineering or Business (MBA).

• Experience with automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

• Lean Six Sigma certification or comparable continuous improvement credentials.

• Background supporting government or defense programs.

• Hands-on, operationally driven leadership style.

• Strong judgment, prioritization, and decision-making ability.

• Capacity to balance engineering discipline with production urgency.

• Collaborative approach with the ability to influence across functions.