Director of Engineering

About Fairbanks Morse Defense

Mission-Driven. Honor-Bound. Fairbanks Morse Defense. What’s your calling? For the men and women of Fairbanks Morse Defense it’s the rapid and effective support of the fleets that entrust us to design, develop, and deliver the best naval power technology on the planet. We’re one of the nation’s leading marine defense contractors because of the highly trained and dedicated teams that provide reliable power systems, parts, and aftermarket services to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard. When you join Fairbanks Morse Defense, you join a legacy of commitment that spans 150 years. Fairbanks Morse Defense offers competitive benefits with a wide range of training and development opportunities. Our world-class teams are dedicated to helping every individual achieve their full potential. Discover what it’s like to be a part of the Fairbanks Morse Defense team here: https://www.fairbanksmorsedefense.com/careers

Federal Equipment Company has been a leading supplier for marine deck machinery and specialized weapons and material handling systems. The company, now part of Fairbanks Morse Defense, is rapidly growing.

Job Description

Job Title: Director of Engineering

Reports To: VP/GM

Federal Equipment Company seeks a Director of Engineering to lead a 12+ multidisciplinary engineering team (mechanical, electrical, etc.). This role focuses on driving collaboration, innovation, and results to ensure successful product design, development, and delivery. Reporting to the VP/GM, the Director will align engineering efforts with business goals, champion continuous improvement, and foster a high-performing team culture.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve on the senior leadership team, shaping and executing company strategy.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team, promoting collaboration and accountability.
• Oversee design-to-build processes to meet schedule, cost, and quality goals.
• Collaborate across departments (Operations, Sales, Program Management, Supply Chain) to align engineering priorities.
• Support bid proposals with technical expertise on feasibility, timelines, and resources.
• Drive data-driven continuous improvement initiatives for efficiency and cost reduction.
• Mentor team members to support their professional growth and career development.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Monitor and report key performance metrics, leveraging insights for decision-making.
• Stay updated on industry trends to maintain FEC’s competitive edge.
• Embody Fairbanks Morse Defense values: Integrity, Velocity, and Teamwork.

Qualifications and Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or related field); Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years of engineering experience, with 5+ in leadership roles managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven success in design-to-build environments, achieving schedule, cost, and quality targets.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and team-building skills.
• Experience in cross-functional collaboration within matrixed organizations.
• Data-driven decision-making and problem-solving skills; Lean or Six Sigma experience is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Familiarity with proposal development and cost estimation is highly valued.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Note: This position requires access or potential access to Unclassified Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information, which is Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals (NOFORN) data. Therefore, to meet NOFORN requirement, you will have to provide proof of US Citizenship and attest that you do not have dual citizenship. Acceptable proof of US Citizenship is a US Passport, US Birth Certificate or Naturalization Certificate.

This specification is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to effective customer service delivery, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Fairbanks Morse Defense.