Director of Engineering – Systems Team

OxEon Energy is seeking a highly motivated Director of Engineering to join our growing Systems Engineering Team. This individual will lead the design and operation of systems for advanced fuel processing for both space and terrestrial applications. This position requires a detail-oriented individual, capable of leading rigid compliance standards to evaluate and mitigate risks throughout the design and fabrication processes. The ideal candidate is a leader who has experience establishing engineering principles in alignment with AS9100D standards, providing senior mechanical engineering oversite of the design process (preliminary and critical reviews, change control, drawing release and control, prototype fabrication order release and control), as well as fabrication and test support.

OxEon embraces its mission of "Beyond current potential" not only with their unique products but with their employees. OxEon employees are empowered and flexible, developing technologies that provide answers for reducing fossil fuel dependence, destroying dangerous chemicals, and providing oxygen and rocket fuel for astronauts on the Moon and Mars. We promote a culture of collaboration, innovation, leadership, and learning, using our talents and vision to change the world and solar system.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership

- Manage multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical, chemical, and systems engineers; engineering technicians; and electrical and controls contractors in the design and fabrication of first-of-a-kind systems in compliance with AS9100D.

- Coordinate and lead formal review processes:

- Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews (PDR/CDR)

- Change control for drawings and models

- ERP implementation from a component/part perspective

- Direct teams to accomplish SOW-defined tasks on schedule and within budget.

- Oversee departmental budgets and resource allocation.

- Identify training needs and lead skills gap analysis for the Systems Team.

- Serve as a member of OxEon’s Management and Leadership Teams.

Communication

- Analyze and report results of device and system testing; compare performance to design basis and analytical models.

- Prepare technical analysis reports, milestone reports, and monthly/quarterly/final program documentation.

- Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, suppliers, and customers.

- Develop manuscripts and presentations for professional conferences and industry engagements.

- Maintain and report departmental KPIs.

Productivity

- Utilize CAD/CAE tools such as SolidWorks and FEA.

- Collaborate with Principal Investigators (PIs) to translate scientific objectives into engineering execution aligned with contractual SOW constraints.

- Provide independent technical assessments to challenge and validate team decisions.

- Specify components, identify suppliers, issue purchase orders, and manage external fabrication vendors.

- Create and review technical drawings, plans, and specifications.

- Apply GD&T principles and perform tolerance stack-up analysis.

- Participate in program stage-gate reviews.

Innovation

- Identify and establish resources for solving complex engineering challenges.

- Creatively adapt industry best practices to design integrated mechanical, thermal, fluid, and electrochemical systems.

Safety

- Ensure team compliance with safety standards and best practices across design, fabrication, and testing environments.

Working Conditions

- Office, R&D laboratory, and manufacturing environments.

Qualifications

Minimum Experience

- 10+ years of technical and management experience in engineering design execution and project leadership.

- Strong written and verbal communication skills.

- Demonstrated ability to manage project teams to schedule and budget.

- SolidWorks proficiency.

- Strong problem-solving and analytical reasoning capabilities.

- Self-motivated team player with strong leadership ability.

Preferred Experience

- AS9100D or highly regulated industry experience.

- Licensed Professional Mechanical Engineer.

- Government contracting experience.

Education

- Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

- Preferred: Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

Benefits

- 401(k) with company match

- Medical, dental, and vision insurance

- Flexible schedule

- Paid time off

- Training and career development opportunities

- Employee ownership program

- Company outings