The Director of Engineering Services – Mechanical Design & Testing leads a critical center of excellence responsible for the development, validation, and support of mechanical engineering activities across multiple programs and product lines. This role oversees the delivery of high-quality design outputs and comprehensive mechanical testing services, ensuring alignment with organizational standards, program requirements, and regulatory compliance. The Director manages multidisciplinary teams engaged in CAD modeling, structural design, prototyping, and mechanical testing (static, dynamic, thermal, vibration), providing both strategic direction and technical oversight to ensure engineering excellence and operational effectiveness.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead and manage mechanical design and testing teams responsible for component- and system-level engineering across multiple platforms
Establish and enforce best practices in 3D CAD modeling, drawing generation, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and design for manufacturability (DFM/DFA)
Oversee execution of mechanical testing activities, including test planning, fixture design, instrumentation, data acquisition, and analysis
Drive test strategy development for structural, thermal, vibration, fatigue, and environmental testing, ensuring alignment with program requirements and certification standards
Collaborate with engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams to support product development, failure investigations, and continuous improvement
Ensure effective resource allocation, scheduling, and performance tracking across design and testing projects
Develop and maintain engineering documentation standards, design review processes, and test protocols
Oversee procurement, maintenance, and calibration of mechanical test equipment, rigs, and lab facilities
Serve as the technical liaison to internal program teams, external customers, and regulatory authorities
Promote a culture of safety, innovation, and technical excellence across the design and test engineering functions
Key Focus Areas:
Mechanical design support for complex, mission-critical components and systems
Full-spectrum mechanical testing from validation to verification
Engineering governance: design reviews, documentation standards, and quality gates
Process ownership for CAD practices, test protocols, and tooling development
Cross-functional collaboration across product development, manufacturing, and quality
Leadership and development of technical teams in a services-based delivery model
Qualifications & Skills:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field required
Master’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, or Business (MBA) preferred
Certifications:
PE license or equivalent professional certification preferred
PMP or Six Sigma certification (Green/Black Belt) a plus
Experience:
15+ years of mechanical engineering experience with at least 5 years in a leadership or director-level role
Deep expertise in mechanical design, test engineering, and product development processes
Experience in regulated industries such as aerospace, defense, automotive, or medical devices
Proven track record managing test labs and leading design-for-testability and validation efforts
Familiarity with product lifecycle stages from concept and prototyping to verification, production, and sustainment
Technical Skills:
Proficient in advanced CAD platforms (CATIA, NX, Creo) and PLM systems (Teamcenter, Windchill)
Knowledge of FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus) and test instrumentation systems (LabVIEW, DAQ, strain gauges, thermal sensors, etc.)
Understanding of relevant standards and regulations (ASME Y14.5, ISO 17025, MIL-STD-810, DO-160, etc.)
Soft Skills:
Strong technical leader and mentor with a hands-on, solutions-oriented mindset
Excellent communication skills with the ability to interface at all organizational levels
Organized, detail-driven, and able to manage complex workflows under tight deadlines
Strategic thinker who can balance technical depth with operational execution