Kollsman

Director Engineering

Kollsman • $150K — $180K *
Fort Worth, TX 76137In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
15+ years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • STEM degree with 20+ years of engineering experience in defense or vehicle programs
  • Eligible to obtain Security Clearance
  • Extensive experience as senior technical authority on complex defense or aerospace programs
  • Deep understanding of systems engineering and lifecycle management
  • Working knowledge of production and supply-chain drivers from a technical perspective
  • Advanced understanding of engineering quality systems and technical assurance processes
  • Strong familiarity with defense and military operational environments.

Responsibilities

  • Proactively secures technical resources for large-scale program execution
  • Ensures cost-effective technical execution with disciplined engineering practices
  • Leads development of risk-informed technical estimates and oversees budget alignment
  • Supports strategic technical workforce planning across program phases
  • Evaluates engineering candidates and promotes technical excellence through talent development
  • Facilitates constructive technical debate to drive decisions and reduce risk
  • Builds a collaborative engineering culture with clear roles and responsibilities.

Benefits

  • Most locations offer a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off
  • Competitive compensation & 401(k) program to plan for your future
  • Robust medical, dental, vision, & disability coverage with wellness discounts
  • Flexible Vacation & PTO policies
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Generous Employee Referral Program
  • Voluntary benefits available including legal and identity theft insurance.
Full Job Description
Job Summary: The Director of Engineering - MTC serves as the senior technical authority for a large-scale, complex program, accountable for the definition, integrity, and execution of the program's complete technical baseline. This role provides strategic technical leadership through managers across all engineering disciplines to ensure the solution meets customer requirements, program objectives, and long-term mission needs. The Chief Engineer drives the overarching technical vision, architecture, and risk posture; leads major technical decisions; and ensures engineering execution is aligned with program strategy, cost, and schedule commitments.

Responsibilities and Tasks:
  • Proactively identifies and secures the technical resources required to execute a large-scale program, including specialized engineering expertise, critical tools, facilities, and development infrastructure. Works across organizational boundaries to align resources with program technical needs.
  • Ensures technical execution is carried out in a cost-effective manner, driving disciplined engineering practices, design efficiency, and efficient use of program resources while safeguarding system performance, mission effectiveness, and technical integrity.
  • Leads the development of highly accurate, risk-informed technical estimates, including engineering scope, performance margins, integration complexity, and technical cost drivers. Ensures estimates reflect current data, supplier inputs, and evolving program conditions.
  • Oversees the creation of technical basis-of-estimate packages and supports program budget development, ensuring that technical content is complete, credible, and aligned with program strategy. Presents technical justifications to senior leadership with clarity and authority.
  • Provides strategic technical workforce planning to ensure the program has the right engineering skills, capacity, and leadership at each phase of execution. Anticipates future staffing needs based on technical maturity, risk posture, and program lifecycle.
  • Evaluates engineering candidates and technical leaders with rigor, ensuring the program is staffed with personnel who possess the depth of experience needed for high-consequence technical execution. Promotes technical excellence through thoughtful selection and development of talent.
  • Facilitates productive technical debate and alternative-trade exploration, using disagreement constructively to sharpen decisions, reduce risk, and broaden engineering perspective. Ensures technical resolutions balance performance, schedule, cost, and customer priorities.
  • Builds and sustains a strong engineering culture characterized by trust, collaboration, and technical ownership. Promotes cross-discipline integration, transparent communication, and shared responsibility for program success.
  • Delegates technical responsibilities effectively across IPT leads, ensuring clarity of authority and accountability while maintaining oversight of overall system performance and technical coherence.
  • Clearly defines technical roles, expectations, and decision rights for engineering leads. Ensures alignment between individual engineering tasks and the program's overarching technical objectives, adjusting responsibilities as program needs evolve.
  • Conducts thorough technical performance reviews, including regular engagement with engineering teams, to assess progress, identify emerging risks, and drive continuous improvement in execution and technical quality.
  • Encourages ongoing professional development for engineering staff by promoting targeted training, technical certifications, and advanced learning opportunities that support mission needs and long-term organizational capability.
  • Performs other technical leadership duties as required by senior program or executive management, including high-visibility customer engagements, technical deep dives, and support to enterprise-level engineering initiatives.


Education, Experience, License, or Certification:
  • STEM degree with 20+ years of experience in engineering for defense or vehicle programs
  • Eligible to obtain Security Clearance.
  • Extensive experience serving as the senior technical authority on large, complex defense or aerospace programs, with demonstrated ability to guide technical execution from concept through deployment.
  • Deep understanding of systems engineering principles, technical baselines, major design reviews, configuration management, and lifecycle rigor required on large-scale programs.
  • Working knowledge of production, sustainment, and supply-chain drivers from a technical perspective, with the ability to integrate supplier performance, manufacturability, and logistics considerations into system architecture and program planning.
  • Advanced understanding of engineering quality systems and technical assurance processes to ensure the program delivers safe, compliant, and mission-effective solutions.
  • Strong understanding of defense and military operational environments, with specific awareness of the customer community, mission needs, and stakeholder expectations.


Skills and Abilities:
  • Ability to develop and execute a program-level technical strategy, monitor progress against key technical milestones, and adjust the technical approach as risks, requirements, and mission priorities evolve.
  • Proven capability to engage directly with senior customer leadership, providing clear, accurate, and authoritative technical information; able to confidently represent the program's technical posture, risks, and performance.
  • Ability to anticipate customer needs, interpret requirements, and propose technically sound solutions that balance mission objectives with cost, schedule, and risk.
  • Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex technical issues for senior leaders, customers, IPTs, and engineering teams.
  • Strong analytical and decision-making capabilities, including the ability to evaluate multiple technical approaches, conduct trades, and defend technical decisions under pressure.
  • Recognized leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate, and mentor engineering teams while establishing a culture of technical discipline, innovation, and accountability.
  • Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with emerging technologies, industry best practices, and evolving customer mission environments.
  • Highest level of professionalism, integrity, and discretion when handling sensitive program information.
  • Ability to foster collaboration and trust across engineering disciplines, program management, supply chain, manufacturing, and customer partners.
  • Demonstrated ability to provide candid, constructive feedback to senior leadership regarding technical risk, resource needs, and program impacts.
  • Ability to develop technically sound cost estimates and understand program financial drivers such as cost, price, margin, and engineering resource allocation.
  • Skilled in rapidly adapting to changes in threat environments, customer direction, or program conditions, and adjusting the technical strategy accordingly.
  • Ability to structure and evaluate technical experiments, prototypes, and test outcomes; determine lessons learned; and guide iterative improvements to system performance.


Travel/Physical Requirements:
  • 25% travel required, including international travel

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Here Are Some of the Great Benefits We Offer:

  • Most locations offer a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off
  • Competitive compensation & 401(k) program to plan for your future
  • Robust medical, dental, vision, & disability coverage with qualified wellness discounts
  • Basic Life Insurance and Additional Life & AD&D Insurances are available
  • Flexible Vacation & PTO
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Generous Employee Referral Program
  • Voluntary Benefits Available: Longer Term Care, Legal, Identity Theft, Pet Insurance, and more
  • Voluntary Tricare Supplement available for military retirees


This job description does not list all the duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not an employment contract. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

About Kollsman

Elbit Systems of America specializes in technology-based systems for diverse defense and commercial applications. They provide air data products, cockpit instrumentation, commercial aircraft services, head-up displays, and vision systems. They also provide custom product development and manufacturing to fit individual customer needs.

Elbit Systems of America Careers

Joining Elbit Systems of America presents an unparalleled opportunity to advance one's career with a leader in defense, aviation, and technology. This company stands out not only for its commitment to innovation and leadership but also for fostering a culture that values diversity and professional growth.

Explore Job Opportunities

Elbit Systems of America offers a range of job opportunities that cater to a variety of skills and interests. From engineering to project management, the company seeks passionate, creative, and solution-driven team players. Each position at Elbit Systems of America is a chance to contribute to groundbreaking projects that make a difference.

Internship Programs

For those starting their careers, internships at Elbit Systems of America provide invaluable industry experience and networking opportunities. Interns work alongside seasoned professionals, gaining insights that are crucial for future employment. These programs are designed to transform academic knowledge into real-world skills in a nurturing environment.

Professional Growth and Development

Elbit Systems of America is dedicated to the continuous professional development of its team members. With comprehensive training programs, including leadership development and diversity training, employees are equipped to excel in their current roles and prepare for future challenges. The company supports career advancement through professional development courses and certifications.

Benefits and Culture

The benefits at Elbit Systems of America go beyond standard employment perks. Employees enjoy a supportive and inclusive culture, competitive health benefits, retirement plans, and flexible working conditions. The company prioritizes work-life balance and employee well-being, making it a desirable workplace for individuals looking to thrive both professionally and personally.

Hiring Process

The hiring process at Elbit Systems of America is designed to be transparent and efficient. Candidates submit their resumes through the Elbit Systems of America careers portal, where they can also set up job alerts to stay informed about new openings. The interview process assesses not only a candidate's skills but also their potential for growth and alignment with the company’s values.

Networking and Innovation

At Elbit Systems of America, networking and innovation are at the core of the business. Employees are encouraged to engage in cross-departmental collaboration, fostering an environment of learning and new ideas. This approach ensures that Elbit Systems of America remains at the forefront of technology and industry standards.

Join the Team

Elbit Systems of America is actively searching for individuals who are curious, driven, and committed to excellence. Explore open positions that match your skills and interests on the Elbit Systems of America Jobs page. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Elbit Systems of America.

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Learn more about Kollsman
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
* Ladders Estimates

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