Heads Up Technologies · 1 day ago
Director of Engineering
Dallas, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
7+ years expHeads Up Technologies is a global leader in aviation technology focused on enhancing in-flight experiences. They are seeking a Director of Engineering to lead a multidisciplinary engineering team in designing and sustaining innovative cabin systems and to ensure alignment with quality standards and business objectives.
AerospaceCommercialIndustrial
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Leading and developing a multidisciplinary engineering team that designs and sustains HUT’s products (lighting, CMS/IFE, audio, safety, and related systems)
Owning and evolving the product development practices used in Addison Texas, ensuring they align with HUT Group standards and AS9100-driven quality expectations
Delivering programs on time, on quality, and on cost, from early concept through certification, production release, and in-service support
Define, evolve, and enforce HUT engineering and product development practices, including:
+ Software development practices and configuration management
+ Hardware / PCB layout and FPGA design standards
+ Requirements, specifications, and verification practices
+ Design review and sign-off criteria across disciplines
Ensure engineering processes support safety-critical and high-reliability aviation products (DO-160, DO-254/DO-178 environments, AS9100 expectations) in partnership with Production Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality
Drive continuous improvement in how we scope, design, verify, and release products – reducing cycle time while protecting quality and compliance
Translate business objectives and product roadmaps into clear engineering priorities and resource plans for the HUT design engineering team
Ensure shared understanding of product intent, requirements, and constraints across electrical, mechanical, software, and FPGA teams
Balance new product development, sustaining engineering, and customer commitments, making trade-offs explicit and data-driven
Directly lead and develop a ~20-person team, including managers, technical leads, and individual contributors across multiple disciplines
Set clear expectations around ownership, technical rigor, documentation, and collaboration
Provide regular, candid feedback and coaching – recognizing strong performance, addressing gaps early, and supporting career growth
Build and maintain a high-trust, accountable culture where engineers are encouraged to raise risks early, ask questions, and propose better ways of doing things
Guide teams through complex technical decisions, asking the right questions rather than dictating answers; help engineers converge on sound solutions even outside your home discipline
Ensure the right technical reviews happen at the right time (architecture reviews, design reviews, FMEA, verification readiness, etc.)
Serve as a technical leader and sounding board for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in hardware, software, and systems; step in where escalation is needed on critical issues
Identify current and future resource needs (skills, headcount, contractors/partners) and work with HR and the VP of Engineering to address them
Champion the tools and infrastructure the team needs: EDA and CAD tools, simulation, build and CI/CD infrastructure, lab equipment, test automation, etc
Partner with Product Management and senior leadership to shape the product and technology roadmap, ensuring feasibility, risk visibility, and realistic schedules
Work closely with Customer Solutions / Systems Engineering, Program Management, and Operations to:
+ Support quoting and conceptual designs for new opportunities
+ Plan and execute development, verification, and certification
+ Transition designs into stable production and after-market support
Engage with key customers, and strategic suppliers as the engineering voice for the HUT business unit
Track industry trends and attend major trade shows and customer events (as appropriate) to bring back insights that inform product and technology direction
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, or related field); advanced degree a plus
Typically 10+ years of experience as an individual contributor engineer in embedded systems, electronics, or related domains
7+ years of engineering leadership experience, including managing managers or multi-discipline teams delivering hardware and software products
Experience delivering embedded, opto-electronic, electro-mechanical products that combine hardware, firmware/software, and mechanical design
Background in high-reliability, regulated, or safety-critical industries (aerospace, defense, medical, industrial, etc.)
Comfortable engaging at a detailed level in at least one core discipline (e.g., electrical/FPGA, embedded software, or systems engineering), with enough breadth to lead across them
Proven track record of building, coaching, and retaining strong engineering teams
Experience implementing or evolving product development processes in a small-to-mid-sized company context
Demonstrated ability to balance short-term program delivery with long-term capability building (tools, platforms, architecture, people)
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain trade-offs to executives, peers, and customers
Ability to foster collaboration and reduce friction across multiple functional areas
Preferred
Experience with avionics / aerospace products, certification flows (DO-160, DO-254, DO-178), or AS9100 environments
Experience leading mixed electrical/mechanical/software/FPGA teams in a product company (vs. pure services or consulting)
Background working in organizations that span both aircraft OEM and aftermarket/MRO markets
Experience in companies that have grown via acquisitions and are integrating multiple engineering cultures / sites
Benefits
A competitive compensation package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Opportunities to plan for the future with our 401(k) program.
Paid Time Off - Take the well-deserved time off you need.
Life Insurance - Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with life insurance coverage.
Health and wellness benefits including Health Savings Account (HSA) option.
Opportunities for professional growth and development within the company.
Positive and inclusive work culture with a laid-back work environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance.
Flexibility in your schedule to accommodate personal needs.
Company
Heads Up Technologies
Heads Up Technologies elevates the aviation experience by industry’s most innovative cockpit, cabin & aviation electrical solutions.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Robert Harshaw
Executive Chairman
Recent News
EIN Presswire
2025-09-22
2025-08-22
Company data provided by crunchbase