Director, Hardware Engineering

Saab Automobile AB

$189K — $255K *
Aerospace & Defense
15+ years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering; Master’s preferred.
  • 18+ years in a technical/engineering environment with 5+ years in leadership.
  • Proven experience building and leading high-performing engineering teams, preferably in Aerospace and Defense.
  • Strong grasp of product development lifecycle in regulated industries.
  • Ability to align engineering strategy with business goals and manage technical talent effectively.
  • Excellent communication skills for relaying technical concepts across diverse teams.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain a Secret level clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and scale the Hardware Engineering organization to meet technical and business objectives.
  • Translate business strategy into actionable hardware engineering plans.
  • Drive resource planning, budgeting, and staffing for multiple programs.
  • Ensure accountability for accurate cost and schedule targets in technical execution.
  • Oversee cost estimating for proposals, IR&D, and budget management.
  • Recruit and develop engineering talent to align with organizational needs.
  • Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and foster continuous improvement culture.

Benefits

  • Medical, vision, and dental insurance for employees and dependents.
  • Generous paid time off, including 8 designated holidays.
  • 401(k) with employer contributions.
  • Tuition and student loan assistance.
  • Wellness and employee assistance resources.
  • Employee stock purchase opportunities.
  • Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
Full Job Description
Job Description:

Saab, Inc.’s Surveillance Systems Division is seeking a Director, Hardware Engineering to lead the organization’s hardware functions in our East Syracuse, NY location.

Reporting directly to the Senior Director, Functional Engineering, this role will lead a team of Electrical and Mechanical engineering managers and oversee the mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines. The Director, Hardware Engineering will collaborate closely with functional engineering leaders, program management, manufacturing, and division leadership teams to ensure the successful execution and delivery of quality end products within cost and schedule targets.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Lead, develop, and scale the Hardware Engineering organization, including Mechanical and Electrical Engineering functions, focused on meeting technical, program, and business objectives.

  • Partner with senior leadership to translate business strategy into actionable hardware engineering plans and ensure consistent execution across the hardware engineering function.

  • Drive organizational planning and execution including staffing, budgeting, and resource alignment, ensuring readiness to support multiple programs, customers, and development efforts.

  • Ensure accountability for creation of accurate cost and schedule targets, and execution of technical effort in accordance with those targets.

  • Responsible for cost estimating activities related to contract proposals, IR&D, Capital, and assigned overhead budgets.

  • Recruit, retain, and assign engineering talent to meet evolving organizational and timeline needs, ensuring programs are properly staffed with the right technical capabilities.

  • Manage the annual performance review process, compensation reviews, succession planning, and career development process for the hardware engineering organization.

  • Build organizational capability by developing both management and technical talent through various training opportunities, job related work that promotes continuous growth, knowledge-sharing across teams, and development planning.

  • Provide technical oversight, guidance, mentorship, and coaching to assigned personnel in the performance of their assigned tasks.

  • Develop innovative technical solutions, assess technical risk, and identify mitigation strategies within Mechanical and Electrical Engineering disciplines.

  • Collaborate with the Functional Engineering Leadership Team to identify areas for opportunity and growth, drive continuous improvement, and implement best practices to enhance engineering performance.

  • Foster a high-performing culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Compensation Range:$189,000 - $255,100

The compensation range provided is a general guideline. When extending an offer, Saab, Inc. considers factors including (but not limited to) the role and associated responsibilities, location, and market and business considerations, as well as the candidate's work experience, key skills, and education/training.

Skills and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or related engineering discipline. Master’s degree preferred.

  • 18+ years of experience in a technical/engineering environment with at least 5+ years in a leadership role focused on engineering management and leading other people managers.

  • Proven success building, scaling, and leading high-performing engineering function with preference for Aerospace and Defense experience.

  • Strong understanding of the product development lifecycle including hardware design, manufacturing support, integration, sustainment, and execution in regulated industries.

  • Demonstrated experience contributing to and aligning engineering strategy and execution with broader business and programmatic goals.

  • Experience shaping organizational direction through technical leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

  • Ability to lead through ambiguity, anticipate change, mitigate risk, and make sound high-impact decisions.

  • Demonstrated success in developing technical talent and managing team performance.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.

  • Willingness to travel up to 10% in support of program and business efforts.

  • Ability to obtain a Secret level clearance.

Citizenship Requirements:

Must be a U.S. citizen. Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Drug-Free Workplaces:

Saab is a federal government contractor and adheres to policies and programs necessary for sustaining drug-free workplaces. As a condition of employment, candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Benefits:

Saab provides an excellent working environment offering professional growth opportunities, competitive wages, work-life balance, a business casual atmosphere and comprehensive benefits.

Highlights include:

  • Medical, vision, and dental insurance for employees and dependents

  • Generous paid time off, including 8 designated holidays

  • 401(k) with employer contributions

  • Tuition assistance and student loan assistance

  • Wellness and employee assistance resources

  • Employee stock purchase opportunities

  • Short-term and long-term disability coverage

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