Research Engineering Director

Standard Job Description

The Director of Engineering provides overall leadership for the engineering organization supporting the SOF GLSS contract. This role is responsible for all product development, functional management, and engineering infrastructure across a ~ $1 B/year portfolio that includes Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, ground vehicle, and maritime platforms. The selected candidate will drive cost, schedule, and quality excellence while fostering a high performance culture and strong partner collaboration. Approximately 25-50% travel is the expectation if the candidate is not based in Lexington, KY.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Management – Direct and mentor a functional engineering team of >180 personnel, including Mission Area Chief Engineers, Platform Project Engineers, and functional managers (ME, EE, SEIT, SW, AeroSciences).

• Portfolio Oversight – Manage 75+ engineering task orders, ensuring successful execution of design, integration, test, and sustainment activities across AC/MC‑130J, MH‑6, MH‑60, MH‑47, and maritime platforms.

• Strategic Planning – Develop and maintain the engineering organization roadmap, staffing plans, and 6‑month manpower forecasts using ETCs from COBRA and proposal win forecasts.

• Process Development – Lead continuous improvement initiatives, including the implementation of concurrent engineering processes, automated dashboards, and Lean/Six‑Sigma methodologies.

• Customer & Partner Relations – Establish and sustain strong relationships with USSOCOM customers, subcontractors, and broader Lockheed Martin Business Areas; act as primary technical liaison for all engineering related matters.

• Proposal & Business Development – Contribute to proposal development, Statement of Work creation, cost estimating, and support contract recompete efforts.

• Risk & Configuration Management – Oversee aircraft and vehicle configuration management, risk assessments, and compliance for airworthiness and sustainment requirements.

• Reporting & Communication – Provide monthly status briefings to senior leadership (USG, Director, VP, and MFC senior leadership) and maintain rigorous business rhythms (weekly/monthly RYG status).

Additiional Information About This Opportunity

This role is located in either Lexington, KY or Fort Walton Beach, FL

MUST BE A US CITIZEN: This role requires the selected candidate to have the ability to obtain a Secret security clearance

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience in complex systems development, integration, and test across missiles, ground, fixed wing, rotary wing, and maritime platforms.

• Demonstrated ability to lead large, distributed engineering teams in GOCO and IDIQ environments.

• Proven track record managing multi‑task‑order portfolios.

• Strong expertise in proposal development, SOW creation, schedule management, and cost control.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills; ability to interact at all organizational levels.

• Must be a US citizen and have the ability to obtain an interim Secret clearance after accepting an offer and before starting the position.

Desired Skills

• Broad Multi Platform Technical Expertise – Hands on knowledge of Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, ground vehicle, missile, and maritime systems to credibly guide engineers across all portfolio platforms.

• Configuration & Change Management – Proven ability to establish and maintain rigorous configuration baselines (airframe, vehicle, weapons) and to control change across distributed subsystems.

• Risk & Reliability Leadership – Experience applying FMEA, RCM, and MBSE techniques to anticipate and mitigate technical risks in high tempo, mission critical environments.

• Advanced Modeling & Simulation – Knowledgeable with ANSYS, MATLAB/Simulink, and CATIA to validate designs, perform performance trades, and provide rapid feedback to engineering teams.

• Software & Cyber Secure Systems – Understanding of embedded software development and RMF cybersecurity practices as they apply to avionics, vehicle control units, and weapon integration.

• People & Talent Development – Demonstrated track record of recruiting, mentoring, and retaining high performing engineers; building career ladders, conducting performance reviews, and fostering a collaborative culture.

• Strategic Communication – Ability to translate complex technical concepts into concise briefings for senior leadership, customers, and external partners; strong written and oral presentation skills.

Pay Information

GeoZone Definition: GeoZones are geographic groupings created by Lockheed Martin to align compensation ranges with regional labor markets and cost-of-labor differences across the United States. Locations are assigned a Geo Zone based on the primary work location of the role.

• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 1): $180000.00 - $325000.00

  • Includes metropolitan areas such as Sunnyvale CA; Pal Alto, CA; New York City metropolitan area; Newark, New Jersey; etc.

• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 2): $180000.00 - $325000.00

  • Includes metropolitan areas such as Denver, CO; King of Prussia, PA; Stratford, CT; Moorestown, NJ; etc.

• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 3): $180000.00 - $325000.00

  • Includes metropolitan areas such as Dallas–Fort Worth, TX; Orlando, FL; Grand Prairie, TX; Marietta, GA; etc.

• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 4): $180000.00 - $325000.00

  • Includes metropolitan areas such as Camden, AR; Lexington, KY; Lufkin, TX; etc.

At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.

The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.

Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.

• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.

• For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.