Engineering Lead, Mechanical Engineer, Systems Engineer

Engineering Lead

The Engineering Lead will serve as the key technical leader directly beneath the Director or Head of Engineering, owning the day-to-day technical execution for a lean, high-impact engineering organization. This role functions as a true player-coach, combining hands-on engineering with leadership of multidisciplinary teams and an external subcontractor engineering firm. The work centers on complex, high-priority classified maritime programs for defense customers, with a strong focus on vessels that sit on the boundary between boats and ships.

The Lead will play a central role in driving technical excellence, improving program profitability, and shaping a culture of accountability and execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily technical execution of the engineering organization, ensuring high-quality design, analysis, and delivery across all active programs.
• Act as a player-coach by managing and mentoring engineers while actively contributing as a hands-on engineer when required.
• Oversee multidisciplinary engineering teams, including structural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines, and coordinate complex technical workflows.
• Directly lead 8 to 10 internal engineers while fully overseeing an external subcontractor engineering firm with approximately 40 engineers on the project.
• Own the engineering, design, and fabrication processes for maritime vessels, particularly those on the threshold between boats and ships.
• Regularly walk the production floor to collaborate with hourly shipbuilders and production workers, demonstrating empathy and respect for their expertise.
• Execute red-line changes on the shop floor in real time, integrate updates into 3D CAD models, and ensure the Bill of Materials is accurately maintained.
• Manage subcontractor and resource allocation to ensure alignment with program requirements, schedules, and quality standards.
• Serve as the primary technical voice in front of customers, confidently leading high-intensity technical discussions on structural analysis, fatigue life, system upgrades, and related topics.
• Apply naval architecture, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering principles to support design reviews and resolve complex technical challenges.
• Ensure compliance with relevant maritime and engineering standards, including ABS, USCG, IACS, ABYC, and IEEE standards, as applicable to vessel design and construction.
• Utilize tools such as Solid Works, AutoCAD, Rhino, Ship Constructor, PDMS, PDM, ERP systems, and other engineering software to support design, modeling, and documentation.
• Support program management activities by coordinating engineering deliverables, tracking progress, and contributing to overall program execution and profitability.
• Drive a culture of accountability, execution, and radical ownership of product quality and team performance throughout the engineering organization.
• Lead and influence a cultural transformation within the organization, helping to improve processes and behaviors while maintaining a constructive and resilient approach.
• Represent engineering interests in cross-functional discussions and ensure alignment between engineering, production, and other operational teams.
• Participate in and lead design reviews, technical risk assessments, and engineering support activities to ensure robust, reliable vessel designs.
• Maintain eligibility for and adherence to security clearance requirements due to the classified nature of the programs.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in engineering is required, preferably in Naval Architecture, Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering;
  Civil Engineering may be considered but is less ideal.
• Definitive maritime or shipbuilding experience, with hands-on involvement in engineering, designing, and fabricating vessels on the edge between boats and ships.
• Strong electrical engineering competency, with the ability to lead and guide electrical design and integration efforts across complex maritime systems.
• At least 4 to 8 years, ideally 10 or more years, in a true engineering leadership role overseeing multidisciplinary teams in structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
• Proven ability to manage and coordinate subcontractor engineering firms and internal engineering resources, including oversight of teams of significant size.
• Demonstrated capability to work on the factory floor, perform real-time red-line changes, and integrate updates into 3D CAD models and Bills of Materials.
• Eligibility and ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance due to the classified nature of the programs.
• Proficiency with engineering and design tools such as Solid Works, AutoCAD, Rhino, Ship Constructor, PDMS, PDM, and ERP systems.
• Strong background in structural analysis and fatigue analysis for maritime structures and systems.
• Experience with program management or engineering program support in complex technical environments.
• Deep understanding of maritime standards and regulations, including ABS,…