Director of Engineering

Spectra Las Cruces is seeking a visionary and results-driven Director of Engineering to lead multidisciplinary teams in the development of ruggedized display, computing, and networking systems for defense and aerospace applications. This role is responsible for driving engineering strategy, overseeing product development, and ensuring technical excellence across hardware, software, systems, and mechanical engineering disciplines. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in product development, leadership in high-reliability environments, and a passion for innovation and execution. 

Scope of Responsibility 

Core Objectives 

• Lead the engineering organization in delivering innovative, compliant, and high-performance products. 

• Align engineering execution with business strategy, customer needs, and program objectives. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Oversee all engineering functions including Hardware, Software, Mechanical, Systems, and Test Engineering. 

• Drive the development and execution of product roadmaps in collaboration with Product Management and Business Development. 

• Ensure engineering processes meet quality, compliance, and documentation standards (e.g., AS9100, MIL-STD, DO-160). 

• Lead technical reviews, risk assessments, and design validation activities across programs. 

• Mentor and develop engineering leaders and staff, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. 

• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, and Program Management to ensure manufacturability, cost control, and schedule adherence. 

• Support proposal development, customer briefings, and technical strategy sessions. 

• Manage departmental budgets, staffing plans, and resource allocation. 

Essential Skills 

• Strong technical foundation in embedded systems, rugged electronics, or mission computing platforms. 

• Proven leadership in managing cross-functional engineering teams and complex product development cycles. 

• Deep understanding of engineering lifecycle management, configuration control, and compliance frameworks. 

• Excellent communication, organizational, and decision-making skills. 

• Proficiency with engineering tools and platforms (e.g., Altium, SolidWorks, Jira, Git, MATLAB). 

Experience and Education 

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering required; Master’s degree preferred. 

• 10+ years of engineering experience, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role. 

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or rugged electronics industries is highly desirable. 

Personal Traits and Characteristics: 

• Strategic and technically grounded: Balances long-term vision with hands-on leadership. 

• Collaborative and communicative: Builds strong relationships across departments and with customers. 

• Disciplined and detail-oriented: Maintains high standards for quality, compliance, and execution. 

• Mentorship-focused: Invests in team development and fosters a high-performance culture. 

• Mission-driven: Committed to delivering reliable, secure solutions that support critical operations. 

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, see, and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. 

Occasional travel (up to 15%) to customer sites, test facilities, or other Spectra locations. 

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  

Office environment with temperature control, may be exposed to chemicals related to the manufacturing process.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

Spectra provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.