Director of Engineering – Electrical Systems in Portland, Oregon - #73061 | VanderHouwen

Description

Job Id: 73061

Director of Engineering – Electrical Systems
Our client is seeking a Director of Engineering – Electrical Systems to provide technical and organizational leadership across electrical and software engineering functions within a growing product development environment. This newly created leadership role will be responsible for developing engineering talent, translating strategic priorities into execution, and strengthening the processes and technical direction needed to support continued growth. The ideal candidate combines strong technical credibility with a hands-on, collaborative leadership style and is comfortable operating in an entrepreneurial environment.

This is an on-site opportunity located approximately 50 miles outside the Portland metro area with possible relocation assistance.

Director of Engineering – Electrical Systems Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop electrical and software engineering teams responsible for product development, validation, testing, and production support.
• Translate organizational strategy and technical objectives into clear engineering priorities, development plans, and successful project execution.
• Provide technical leadership across electrical, software, embedded, and sensor-based systems, guiding complex engineering decisions and supporting teams in solving challenging technical problems.
• Partner closely with project and program management to establish priorities, allocate engineering resources, balance workloads, and maintain delivery commitments.
• Guide the design, development, validation, and lifecycle management of electronic systems, assemblies, software, and related products with an emphasis on performance, reliability, quality, and manufacturability.
• Help establish software development priorities and contribute to longer-term product, platform, and technology strategies.
• Strengthen engineering processes, development practices, configuration management, release controls, and cross-functional collaboration as the organization continues to scale.
• Collaborate with executive and functional leaders to align engineering initiatives with customer requirements, product objectives, and broader business priorities.
• Develop engineering talent through coaching, feedback, career development, and thoughtful delegation while building a strong culture of accountability and technical excellence.
• Serve as a trusted technical and organizational partner to senior engineering leadership, representing the function in key planning, prioritization, and decision-making activities as needed.

Director of Engineering – Electrical Systems Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive engineering experience, including demonstrated success leading engineering teams, technical programs, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong software engineering foundation combined with technical depth in electrical systems, embedded systems, electronics, or related product development environments.
• Proven ability to lead and earn credibility with multidisciplinary engineering teams while balancing strategic leadership with hands-on involvement in technical problem-solving.
• Experience developing complex electronic or software-enabled products through design, verification, validation, manufacturing, release, and ongoing lifecycle support.
• Demonstrated success mentoring engineers, developing technical leaders, improving team performance, and building scalable engineering practices.
• Working knowledge of software development practices and programming languages such as C, C#, Python, or comparable technologies.
• Experience with sensor-driven products or technologies such as imaging systems, computer vision, cameras, LiDAR, radar, ultrasonic sensing, or similar platforms is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of engineering quality practices, configuration management, product development methodologies, and disciplined development environments.
• Excellent communication, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills with the ability to effectively engage both technical teams and executive stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Ability to thrive in a growing, entrepreneurial organization that values initiative, adaptability, collaboration, and leaders who are willing to remain close to the work.
• Must be eligible to access export-controlled information and technology in accordance with applicable U.S. export control laws and regulations.
• Limited travel possible once or twice a year at most as business needs require.

Salary: $150K-$190K/year + Bonus. (DOE)

Benefits
Benefits are available to eligible full-time employees and include coverage for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long term disability, and matching 401k.

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