Electrical Engineering Manager

Position Title: Electrical Engineering Manager
Requisition ID: 1804
Position Location: Sterling, VA
Position Reports To: Director, Electrical Engineering
Supervises Others: No

At Trident Systems, we believe that strong engineering principles are fundamental to driving innovation and solving complex problems. We promote a culture characterized by rigorous engineering practices and a commitment to continuous improvement. This is achieved by leveraging our organization's collective expertise through collaborative development processes, which include thorough design and peer reviews. We can deliver innovative, high-performance solutions that meet our customers' evolving requirements by integrating our specialized knowledge in aerospace electronic systems with appropriately scaled development methodologies.

We are a mission partner supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, and Civil space customers. We develop complex, radiation-effects-mitigated, designs that balance competing requirements in modern space programs, delivering cutting-edge solutions that enable our customers to achieve more in space.

Position Summary

Trident is seeking an Electrical Engineering Functional Manager to unite and elevate a team of electrical engineers while establishing a center of excellence for space electronics design and development. This role will drive standardization, cultivate technical excellence, and ensure our electrical engineering capabilities scale effectively to support the company's growth in the competitive space industry. The ideal candidate will balance technical leadership with people development, creating an environment where engineers thrive while delivering high-quality, cost-optimized solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Standardize engineering product outputs and documentation across all programs
• Consolidate and document EE-specific resources, best practices, and lessons-learned
• Establish design review processes and quality gates for electrical deliverables
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce design cycle time and improve first-pass success rates
• Develop and maintain electrical engineering technical roadmap aligned with company strategic goals
• Hire, onboard, and mentor additional EEs to meet growing program demands
• Coordinate and support training programs to develop technical and professional competencies
• Support and advocate for team member career growth through mentorship and development planning
• Conduct one-on-ones, skip-levels, and team meetings to maintain open communication
• Conduct annual performance reviews with clear, actionable feedback
• Manage resource allocation and staffing assignments based on company priorities, program needs, and individual development goals
• Review and approve timecards to ensure accurate project charging
• Collaborate with program managers to forecast resource needs and capacity constraints
• Establish metrics and KPIs to track team performance, quality, and efficiency
• Interface with Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to ensure design-for-manufacturability and design-for-test principles
• Partner with other functional managers to promote integrated product development
• Represent electrical engineering in strategic planning and business development activities
• Facilitate knowledge sharing across programs to maximize organizational learning
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline (or equivalent experience / combined education)
• 9+ years of total experience in electrical engineering within aerospace, defense, or similarly regulated industry
• Including 3+ years of experience leading or managing engineering teams
• Demonstrated success solving complex engineering problems and delivering products through full lifecycle
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive compliance in a collaborative, non-authoritarian manner

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Engineering Management
• Experience establishing or maintaining AS9100, ISO 9001, or similar quality management systems at a manufacturing organization
• Direct experience with space-rated electronics design, radiation hardening, or satellite systems
• Familiarity with ECSS, NASA, or MIL standards for space electronics
• Management or leadership training certif