Director of Engineering

Overview of the Role

AW Connect Recruitment is seeking a Director of Engineering for a client in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time role involves leading the engineering function, setting strategic direction, and overseeing technical delivery for military vehicle maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), upgrades, and modernization programs. The Director will also provide engineering guidance to manufacturing and applied research and development (R&D) as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Set the engineering strategy, priorities, and resource plans for land systems programs, ensuring accountability for technical delivery.
• Lead engineering support for military vehicle MRO, including fault investigation, repair methods, technical documentation, and verification of repairs and upgrades.
• Direct systems, mechanical, and electrical engineering teams, and resolve technical issues across disciplines.
• Manage configuration management and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) practices, including configuration baselines, engineering change approvals, and traceability of technical records.
• Collaborate with Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) and operations to meet defense, quality, and safety requirements, and improve vehicle reliability, repair turnaround, and workmanship.
• Manage technical relationships with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), customers, and suppliers, including repair approvals, access to technical data, and resolution of complex engineering issues.
• Support manufacturing and applied R&D through design reviews, prototyping, testing, and transition into production or service.
• Develop engineering managers and technical leads, establish clear expectations, and adapt communication and leadership style for various teams, customers, and senior executives.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• A minimum of 20 years of engineering experience, with at least five years in a senior engineering leadership role.
• Substantial experience in defense land systems, including a proven track record of leading engineering delivery for military vehicle MRO programs.
• Demonstrated leadership across multiple engineering disciplines, with experience overseeing configuration management, PLM, and partnering with QHSE.
• Experience working with external OEMs and managing the technical, resource, and schedule demands of complex defense programs.

Key Skills

• Strong judgment and strategic planning abilities.
• Excellent communication skills, with the capacity to build trust, coach leaders, and resolve disagreements across functions.

Work Environment

This role is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and operates on a full-time basis. The Director will lead diverse engineering teams and collaborate with internal departments, customers, and external partners.

Application Process

Interested candidates with the specified qualifications are encouraged to apply.