Design Engineering Manager

Design Engineering Subsection Manager

Northstar Aerospace, now part of Avio Aero - a GE Aerospace Company, is a leading independent manufacturer of components and assemblies to the global Aerospace industry. Our principal products include gears and transmissions, accessory gearbox assemblies, rotorcraft drive systems, and other machined and fabricated parts for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. We also provide maintenance and repair and overhaul (MRO) on these platforms.

In this context we are reinforcing the focus to excellence in aeronautical Mechanical Transmissions [i.e. accessory drive-train, power gearboxes and rotor drive systems] with an expansion of the Design Engineering team in US offering distinctive solutions to our customers.

The Engineering Design Subsection Manager will be responsible for the design from concept design to Certification & Entry Into Service throughout the whole NPI process of aeronautical mechanical systems product line, including component and product integration, with the commitment to the maximum performance and productivity and to the sustaining of the products along their whole life in service.

They will contribute with their team in the preparation of Request For Information (RFI) & Request For Proposal (RFP) for Northstar/Avio Aero Customers leading the design team to perform trade off studies, define mechanical system architecture and components with applied technologies. They will be responsible for the team, its operations, planning/execution and talent growth.

The current portfolio includes several programs involving the mentioned mechanical systems [whole modules and parts for Accessory & Power Gearboxes, Helicopters' Rotor Drive Systems] on Programs in development phase and legacy in-service vehicles.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Leadership and oversight for quality engineering design, execution and product safety for the portfolio of the mechanical systems' product line.
• Management of design teams including direct reporting and purchased services when required.
• Foster a full approach and sense of 'One Team' within the US locations and with the Avio Aero Design Engineering team.
• Completes the execution of the staffing and hiring plan as per Northstar/Avio Aero program acquisitions (external hires and external contractors).
• Commits to growth Technical Talent within the section in Mechanical Systems and Stress and Simulation pyramids supported by Senior, Principal and Consulting Engineers CTH within the extended community.
• Defines with their team members the components and sub systems of the overall transmissions' architecture. Provides forward looking strategy for mechanical systems and technology development / insertion to make product competitive. Propones and provides scope management [defines the what].
• Executes design in line with Design Practices and Templates, successfully passing Design Reviews to meet NPI / NTI process design deliverables achieving related KPIs goals (Non Recurring development Cost, Milestone On time delivery, product Recurring Cost). Support the development hardware delivery thru timely MRBs disposition and VTs closure and testing execution. Accountable for failure / quality investigation efforts on assigned modules / components.
• Contributes in close collaboration with the extended team to the preparation of Request For Information (RFI) & Request For Proposal (RFP). Lead the design team to perform trade off studies, defining product architecture and components / applied technologies to enable recurring cost estimation. Contributes in the risk assessment and definition of mitigation actions.
• Uses judgment and has the ability to lead their team to propose different solutions and address complicated manufacturing processes in concurrence with manufacturing experts and in close collaboration with the Global Supply Chain for a smooth product industrialization. Integrate our legacy knowledge with strategic external consultancy to consolidate the best design solution to deliver in line with the NPI process or evaluating possible improvement needs to be achieving all KPIs goals.
• Provides functional leadership of the team, promoting professional growth through timely performance feedback, mentoring, coaching, and counseling. Release the performance appraisals and participate in salary planning. Maintain broad awareness of efforts within the Engineering team to ensure technical quality excellence, on time delivery for the engineering milestones, appropriate use of resources, and responsiveness to customer / program needs. Works to build consensus developing persuasion skills required to influence others on topics within field.
• Has a Lean mindset with a relentless attitude to continuous improvement adopting and committing to the FLIGHT DECK operative process
• Has the ability to attract and retain talent. Influences policy and ensures delivery within area of responsibility, linking with other parts of the organization. Influences peers to act and may negotiate with external partners, vendors, or customers.
• Travel up to 50% (domestic and international)

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited university or college
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in Mechanical Engineering and/or Mechanical Design for mechanical transmission systems
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with gearbox technical requirements (ideally design process and solutions, technologies, and materials for typical applications)
• Minimum of 2 years of leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical or Aeronautical Engineering from an accredited university or college
• Previous exposure to the New Product Introduction (NPI) process
• Experience with direct management of a team of qualified people
• Experience with Design and Mechanical Analyses tools and proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a structured, diligent approach
• Proven teamwork and inclusiveness, including the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams, especially in multicultural and international environments
• Fluency in English and Italian (written and spoken)
• High curiosity, initiative, and passion for mechanical design, with a continuous improvement mindset