Director, Digital AI and Engineering

Beehive Industries is dedicated to Powering American Defense by revolutionizing the design, development, and delivery of jet propulsion systems to support the warfighter. Through the integration of additive manufacturing, the company aims to meet the growing and urgent needs for unmanned aerial defense by dramatically improving a jet engine’s speed to market, fuel efficiency, and cost.  

Founded in 2020, the company is headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, with additional facilities in Knoxville, Tennessee, Loveland Ohio, and Mount Vernon, Ohio. Beehive is committed to grow and advance the defense industrial base while manufacturing exclusively in the USA. This role will be located at our Cincinnati, Ohio facility.

Role Overview 

The Director, AI & Digital Engineering will lead the company’s enterprise-wide strategy for artificial intelligence, advanced computing, digital engineering, and manufacturing intelligence across aerospace design, production, and operations.  

This leader will be responsible for co-building a scalable digital ecosystem that connects engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and operational data into a unified digital thread capable of supporting real-time decision making, automation, and mission readiness.  

The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in computer engineering, computer science, software architecture, AI/ML, and industrial systems with proven leadership experience in aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.  

This role will serve as a key strategic partner to executive leadership and will help shape the future architecture of Beehive’s intelligent manufacturing and digital engineering capabilities 

What You’ll Do... 

Strategic Leadership and Influence  

• Partner to define and execute the company’s AI, digital engineering, and advanced analytics strategy in alignment with Digital Office transformation objectives.   

• Establish long-term architecture strategies connecting engineering systems, manufacturing operations, supply chain, and enterprise platforms.   

• Champion and influence the use of AI/ML across engineering, manufacturing, and operations to drive competitive advantage.  

• Lead enterprise digital transformation initiatives supporting scalable production, cost reduction, operational resilience, and accelerated product development.   

• Drive adoption of AI-enabled decision systems across engineering, manufacturing, quality, maintenance, and operations.   

• Identify emerging technologies and strategic partnerships that strengthen Beehive’s competitive advantage.  

• Present digital strategy, technical roadmaps, and operational outcomes to executive leadership and government stakeholders, as required.  

Technical Delivery & Capability Development  

• Serve as the technical authority for AI/ML systems, software engineering, data architecture, industrial connectivity, and digital platforms.   

• Lead development of enterprise-grade AI and software systems supporting aerospace design, manufacturing execution, and operational intelligence.   

• Define standards for cloud, edge, OT/IT integration, data governance, MLOps, cybersecurity, and software lifecycle management.   

• Oversee development of scalable data pipelines and real-time manufacturing intelligence platforms.   

• Guide implementation of digital twins, simulation environments, predictive analytics, and autonomous manufacturing capabilities.   

Innovation & Delivery  

• Partner with engineering and manufacturing leaders to connect design, test, quality, and production data into an integrated digital thread.   

• Drive integration between ERP, MES, PLM, SCADA, and engineering systems into Foundry.   

• Enable real-time visibility into production health, manufacturing performance, supply chain risk, engine test data and engine lifecycle data.   

• Support AI-enabled optimization of scheduling, yield, quality, maintenance, and factory throughput.  

Governance & Compliance  

• Ensure compliance with aerospace and defense standards (NIST, DoD, FAA, ITAR).  

• Partner with IT to manage intellectual property and data security considerations for sensitive defense and aerospace programs.  

• Establish frameworks for responsible AI, model governance, explainability, and digital system validation in safety-critical applications.  

You have... 

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, or related technical discipline.   

• 12+ years of experience leading software engineering, AI/ML, digital engineering, or industrial technology organizations.   

• Experience deploying enterprise-scale AI, analytics, or software systems in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or other safety-critical industries.   

• Strong technical background in distributed systems, software architecture, cloud platforms, data engineering, and AI/ML systems.   

• Experience integrating manufacturing systems including MES, ERP, PLM, SCADA, and industrial data platforms.   

• Strong understanding of modern AI/ML frameworks, MLOps practices, and enterprise software delivery methodologies.   

• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional technical organizations and large-scale transformation initiatives.   

• Experience operating in highly regulated environments requiring cybersecurity, traceability, and configuration control.   

Nice to have... 

• Background in aerospace engineering, flight systems, or manufacturing operations.  

• Experience with digital thread ecosystems and integration into ERP/MES platforms.  

• Government/DoD project engagement and compliance experience.  

• Published research, patents, or thought leadership in ML/AI for aerospace.  

If this sounds like you, please submit an application with your resume. This could be the opportunity you are looking for to expand your skills, contribute to a winning team, and work with talented people who love what they do and take pride in our mission.  

Beehive Industries offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes group Medical, Dental, Life, and Short and Long-Term disability coverage from day one. We also offer a generous 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with a Company match. Every role at Beehive Industries is bonus eligible and will also receive equity in the company. 

Beehive Industries is committed to full compliance with applicable anti-discrimination laws. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.