Freelance Electrical Engineering Manager Jobs in Reston, VA

Position Title: Electrical Engineering Manager
Requisition ID: 1804
Position Location: Sterling, VA
Position Reports To: Director, Electrical Engineering
Supervises Others: No

At Trident Systems, we believe that strong engineering principles are fundamental to driving innovation and solving complex problems. We promote a culture characterized by rigorous engineering practices and a commitment to continuous improvement. This is achieved by leveraging our organization's collective expertise through collaborative development processes, which include thorough design and peer reviews. We can deliver innovative, high-performance solutions that meet our customers' evolving requirements by integrating our specialized knowledge in aerospace electronic systems with appropriately scaled development methodologies.

We are a mission partner supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, and Civil space customers. We develop complex, radiation-effects-mitigated, designs that balance competing requirements in modern space programs, delivering cutting-edge solutions that enable our customers to achieve more in space.

Position Summary

Trident is seeking an Electrical Engineering Functional Manager to unite and elevate a team of electrical engineers while establishing a center of excellence for space electronics design and development. This role will drive standardization, cultivate technical excellence, and ensure our electrical engineering capabilities scale effectively to support the company's growth in the competitive space industry. The ideal candidate will balance technical leadership with people development, creating an environment where engineers thrive while delivering high-quality, cost-optimized solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Standardize engineering product outputs and documentation across all programs
• Consolidate and document EE-specific resources, best practices, and lessons-learned
• Establish design review processes and quality gates for electrical deliverables
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce design cycle time and improve first-pass success rates
• Develop and maintain electrical engineering technical roadmap aligned with company strategic goals
• Hire, onboard, and mentor additional EEs to meet growing program demands
• Coordinate and support training programs to develop technical and professional competencies
• Support and advocate for team member career growth through mentorship and development planning
• Conduct one-on-ones, skip-levels, and team meetings to maintain open communication
• Conduct annual performance reviews with clear, actionable feedback
• Manage resource allocation and staffing assignments based on company priorities, program needs, and individual development goals
• Review and approve timecards to ensure accurate project charging
• Collaborate with program managers to forecast resource needs and capacity constraints
• Establish metrics and KPIs to track team performance, quality, and efficiency
• Interface with Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to ensure design-for-manufacturability and design-for-test principles
• Partner with other functional managers to promote integrated product development
• Represent electrical engineering in strategic planning and business development activities
• Facilitate knowledge sharing across programs to maximize organizational learning
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline (or equivalent experience / combined education)
• 9+ years of total experience in electrical engineering within aerospace, defense, or similarly regulated industry
• Including 3+ years of experience leading or managing engineering teams
• Demonstrated success solving complex engineering problems and delivering products through full lifecycle
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive compliance in a collaborative, non-authoritarian manner

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Engineering Management
• Experience establishing or maintaining AS9100, ISO 9001, or similar quality management systems at a manufacturing organization
• Direct experience with space-rated electronics design, radiation hardening, or satellite systems
• Familiarity with ECSS, NASA, or MIL standards for space electronics
• Management or leadership training certifications (e.g., PMP, Certified ScrumMaster, or similar)
• Experience with PLM/PDM systems and engineering workflow tools
• Track record of process improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $114,000 - $211,000
Please Note: Actual compensation offered will be determined based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, certifications, internal equity, business considerations, and geographic location where applicable.

Benefits

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including but not limited to:

• Health benefits
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Basic life with AD&D
  • Short term disability
  • Long term disability
  • Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
  • Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
• Paid time off
• Holidays
• 401(k) (including company match)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Leaves (Parental, maternity, and military)
• Annual discretionary bonus (for eligible roles)

Trident Systems reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Trident Solutions is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact recruiting@tridsys.com.

Pay Transparency: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)