Manager, Project Engineering

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direct leadership, mentorship, and technical guidance to a team of Project Engineers, ensuring the successful execution of engineering projects across multiple programs.
• Own the staffing strategy and performance management for the project engineering team, balancing resource assignments based on business priorities and program demands.
• Oversee project engineering deliverables, including design definition, manufacturing support, MRB, RCCA, and technical customer communication, ensuring adherence to quality, cost, and schedule targets.
• Serve as the technical liaison between engineering, operations, program management, and external customers, facilitating alignment and resolving cross-functional challenges.
• Lead functional excellence initiatives across the project engineering discipline, including implementation of lean practices, continuous improvement, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Drive adherence to AEC's engineering processes, quality standards, and regulatory compliance, while supporting the development of best practices and standardized work.
• Manage and report on engineering performance metrics and program status to senior leadership, escalating issues and proposing mitigation plans when necessary.
• Support proposal development efforts through technical scoping, cost estimation, and strategic planning for new business pursuits.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for high-impact technical issues, and guide the team through complex problem-solving scenarios.
• Foster a culture of technical rigor, ownership, and continuous improvement within the engineering organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Science, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing or composite product development, including at least 3 years in a technical leadership or engineering management role.
• Strong background in composite manufacturing processes (layup, cure, assembly, MRB, NDI).
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams through full lifecycle program execution.
• Proficiency in engineering software such as CATIA V5, GD&T interpretation, Windchill PDM, and SAP.
• Familiarity with DoD contract requirements, quality systems, and proposal generation.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing principles, RCCA, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage and influence internal and external stakeholders.