Design Manager - Job #1146

DESIGN MANAGER  - JOB #1146

Reports To: Director of Engineering

Status: Full-Time, On-Site, Salary, Exempt

Location: Menominee, Michigan

Pay Range: $115,000-$155,000 annually, depending on experience

POSITION SUMMARY

The Design Manager leads Enstrom’s Design Engineering group and provides oversight and mentoring for the design and substantiation of aircraft components, subsystems, and systems. The position is responsible for the quality, coordination, and timely completion of design engineering work supporting new development, certification, production, and field operations.

The Design Manager works closely with Engineering, Certification, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, vendors, and field-support personnel to resolve technical issues and ensure designs meet applicable FAA requirements and company objectives. Success requires strong rotorcraft engineering judgment, effective personnel and resource management, and the ability to balance multiple technical and organizational priorities.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF TASKS

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  Lead the Design Engineering group and establish priorities, personnel assignments, and resource allocation in support of organizational objectives.

  
  


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  Oversee the design, substantiation, and certification of helicopter components, systems, and subsystems.

  
  


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  Ensure design projects meet applicable FAA regulations and company requirements for performance, reliability, safety, manufacturability, and cost.

  
  


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  Review and approve engineering drawings, analyses, and technical documentation within assigned authority.

  
  


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  Investigate engineering issues identified by Production, vendors, or field operators and guide the development of technically sound solutions.

  
  


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  Evaluate the short- and long-term effects of proposed solutions on production, certification, continued airworthiness, and field support.

  
  


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  Oversee the incorporation of approved changes into designs and related engineering documentation.

  
  


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  Coordinate with vendors to resolve technical issues involving purchased components and materials.

  
  


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  Provide engineering support for Material Review Board activities, nonconformance dispositions, structural repairs, and production needs.

  
  


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  Perform or direct structural and stress analyses required to support product design, product changes, production issues, repairs, and field concerns.

  
  


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  Support the Engineering Change Board and other cross-functional technical review activities as assigned.

  
  


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  Provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentoring to designers and engineers within the Design Engineering group.

  
  


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  Develop training plans based on individual development needs, staffing levels, and future project requirements.

  
  


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  Support recruiting, selection, performance management, and development of Design Engineering personnel.

  
  


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  Forecast staffing and resource needs based on current and projected workloads.

  
  


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  Coordinate multiple projects and adjust priorities as engineering, production, certification, and field-support needs change.

  
  

QUALIFICATIONS

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  Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering field required.

  
  


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  Minimum of 12 years of relevant aerospace engineering experience required.

  
  


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  Demonstrated experience with aircraft component or system design, structural analysis, engineering substantiation, and certification support required.

  
  


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  Prior experience supporting Material Review Board dispositions, structural repairs, and production engineering required.

  
  


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  Current MRB signature authority preferred.

  
  


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  Demonstrated engineering leadership, personnel management, mentoring, project coordination, and resource-planning experience required.

  
  


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  Rotorcraft engineering experience strongly preferred.

  
  


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  FAA Designated Engineering Representative credentials preferred but not required.

  
  

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

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  Advanced knowledge of aircraft structures and systems, rotorcraft dynamics, aerodynamics, and powerplant integration.

  
  


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  Advanced structural and stress-analysis capability.

  
  


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  Advanced understanding of FAA regulations, certification processes, and engineering compliance documentation.

  
  


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  Knowledge of sheet-metal fabrication, welding, machining, composite or fiberglass manufacturing, and aircraft assembly processes.

  
  


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  Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.

  
  


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  Advanced computer-aided design experience.

  
  


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  SolidWorks experience preferred.

  
  


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  Strong engineering judgment and problem-solving skills, including the ability to assess technical risk and determine practical solutions.

  
  


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  Strong written and verbal communication skills.

  
  


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  Ability to review, explain, and approve complex engineering work with appropriate attention to accuracy and regulatory requirements.

  
  


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  Ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and changing business needs.

  
  


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  Proven management, organizational, planning, and delegation skills.

  
  


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  Ability to coach, mentor, and develop employees with varied levels of experience.

  
  


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  Ability to collaborate effectively across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Flight Operations, vendors, and field-support functions.

  
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

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  Work is performed primarily in an office environment with regular use of a computer, telephone, and standard office equipment.

  
  


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  Ability to sit for extended periods and frequently type, review drawings, analyze technical data, and read documents on paper and computer screens.

  
  


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  Ability to stand and walk through office, engineering, manufacturing, hangar, and aircraft work areas as needed.

  
  


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  Ability to bend, reach, and occasionally climb stairs or access aircraft and production areas to observe conditions and support technical work.

  
  


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  Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull items weighing up to 25 pounds.

  
  


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  Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment and work around typical manufacturing and aircraft-maintenance noise, equipment, and environmental conditions when entering operational areas.

  
  


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  Occasional travel may be required to support vendors, customers, certification activities, or other business needs.