Sr. Manager of Engineering

About Loft Federal Loft Federal is committed to delivering the U.S. national security space community a fast, affordable, and streamlined pathway to orbit. As a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Loft Orbital Solutions, Inc., we specialize in providing mission-ready space infrastructure with unmatched efficiency. At Loft, we empower our team with autonomy, ownership, and bold problem-solving opportunities while fostering a tight-knit, supportive environment. We believe that diversity, inclusivity, and community are the foundation of an open and innovative culture. We value kind, collaborative, and mission-driven teammates who excel in problem-solving and communication—because great solutions come from great teams. Are you ready to embark on this exciting journey with us? As the Senior Manager of Engineering, you will be the cornerstone of our engineering organization’s growth and execution. You won't just oversee projects—you will build the teams that deliver them. Your primary focus will be on functional employee management, driving our hiring strategy, and leading programmatic staffing to ensure our engineering teams are optimally resourced to meet aggressive mission milestones. If you are passionate about mentoring engineers, scaling high-performing teams, and aligning technical talent with complex programmatic needs in the aerospace sector, this is the role for you. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Leadership & Functional Management Own the functional management and strategic direction for a cross-functional engineering team spanning systems, mechanical, electrical, and RF engineering. Provide ongoing mentorship, career development, and performance management. Coach engineers and technical leads, helping them gain the skills needed to architect complex systems, mentor junior staff, and lead through the entire program development lifecycle from requirements definition to integration and test. Define goals within team meetings to ensure your teams are executing on short-term deliverables week-over-week while providing them the vision for the future. Hiring & Team Growth Partner closely with talent acquisition and executive leadership to define the engineering hiring roadmap for the next 6-12+ months. Write and refine job descriptions, design effective technical interview panels, and directly participate in the interviewing and closing of top-tier engineering talent. Build a robust pipeline of aerospace and engineering professionals, championing diversity and inclusion within our engineering ranks. Programmatic Staffing & Resource Allocation Collaborate with Program Managers and technical leads to dynamically allocate engineering resources across multiple concurrent projects to attain business goals consistent with cost, high quality, and reliability. Identify critical skills gaps within the organization and strategically deploy personnel to mitigate programmatic risks. Balance the immediate tactical needs of aerospace programs with the long-term career growth and functional development of individual engineers. QUALIFICATIONS 10 years of professional engineering experience, with at least 3+ years in a direct engineering management or leadership role, preferably within the aerospace, defense, or hardware-tech startup industries. Strong understanding of complex systems integration, hardware/software development lifecycles, and performance analysis Exceptional cross-functional communication skills, with the ability to bridge the gap between technical engineering teams, program management, and executive leadership. A proven track record of scaling engineering teams, including sourcing, interviewing, and closing competitive technical candidates. Demonstrated experience in matrixed organizations or programmatic environments where dynamic resource allocation and capacity planning were critical. High emotional intelligence (EQ) with a servant-leadership mindset; you care deeply about your team’s well-being and career progression. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience supporting SCI and SAP level programs Familiarity with non-traditional acquisition and rapid capability insertion models Product or mission integration experience Demonstrated discretion and sound judgment in sensitive environments Active Top Secret SCI clearance Some of Our Awesome Benefits: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance option for employees and dependents Flexible Spending (FSA) and Health Savings (HSA) Accounts offered with an employer contribution to the HSA 100% employer paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability insurance Flexible Time Off policy for vacation and sick leave, and 12 paid holidays 401(k) plan and equity options Daily catered lunches and snacks in office Fully paid parental leave; 14 weeks for birthing parent and 10 weeks for non-birthing parent Carrot Fertility provides comprehensive, inclusive fertility healthcare and family-forming benefits with financial support Off-sites and many social events and celebrations Relocation assistance when applicable Per Colorado law, we are required to disclose the base compensation range for this role. This range is intentionally wide as we assess individuals based on their unique abilities and experience to find the best fit for our needs. Ultimately, your compensation will be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. In addition to a competitive salary and benefits package, you will find a truly remarkable culture guided by transparency and collaboration and work that is challenging and meaningful. We can't wait to meet you and see what you may add to our team! Salary Range $180,000 — $235,000 USD Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action Loft Federal is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information, disability, pregnancy, or any other legally protected status. Accessibility & Accommodations If you require a reasonable accommodation due to a disability when applying for an open position, please contact us at [email protected] for assistance. We Hire for Talent, Not Just Resumes Research shows that while men apply for jobs when they meet about 60% of the qualifications, women and other underrepresented groups tend to apply only when they meet 100% of the listed criteria. At Loft Federal, we value diverse perspectives, respectful debate, and people who challenge assumptions. If you’re excited about a role but don’t meet every requirement, we strongly encourage you to apply. Third-Party Recruiters & Agencies No outside recruiters, please. Loft Federal does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, staffing agencies, or third-party recruiters. We will not pay fees for candidates submitted without a signed agreement in place.