1. Strategic & Leadership Responsibilities • Define and execute the engineering strategy aligned with company vision, program objectives, and market needs. • Lead and mentor large, multi-disciplinary engineering teams across structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, systems, software, and manufacturing engineering. • Establish engineering governance, processes, and best practices across programs. • Drive a culture of safety, quality, innovation, and continuous improvement. 2. Aircraft Design & Development • Oversee conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design of aircraft and major systems. • Ensure integration of structures, systems, avionics, propulsion, and software into a certified aircraft configuration. • Review and approve key technical decisions, trade studies, and design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR). • Ensure effective use of digital engineering tools (MBSE, PLM, CAD/CAE, digital twins). 3. Certification & Regulatory Compliance • Ensure compliance with FAA, EASA, DGCA, MIL standards, and other applicable airworthiness regulations. • Lead certification planning, conformity, ground and flight test activities. • Serve as the senior engineering interface with regulatory authorities. 4. Program & Execution Oversight • Partner with Program Management to ensure engineering deliverables meet cost, schedule, and performance targets. • Identify and mitigate technical risks across development and production programs. • Support production ramp-up, entry-into-service, and in-service engineering support. 5. Innovation & Technology • Drive adoption of advanced materials, automation, AI/ML, electrification, sustainable aviation technologies, and next-generation architectures. • Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies and supplier innovations. • Support intellectual property creation and protection. 6. Stakeholder & Customer Engagement • Collaborate with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Flight Test, and Customer Support teams. • Engage with customers, partners, and suppliers on technical matters. • Represent the company at industry forums and technical reviews. Requirements • Education • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering. • Master’s degree or PhD preferred. • Experience • 18–25+ years of progressive engineering experience in the aerospace industry. • 10+ years in senior engineering leadership roles within an Aircraft OEM or Tier-1 aerospace supplier. • Proven experience leading clean-sheet aircraft or major derivative programs through certification. • Strong background in aircraft systems integration and airworthiness certification. • Technical Skills • Deep knowledge of aircraft design, development, and certification processes. • Expertise in structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, systems engineering, and safety assessments. • Familiarity with DO-178, DO-254, ARP4754, ARP4761, and configuration management practices. • Leadership & Soft Skills • Strong executive leadership and decision-making abilities. • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. • Ability to balance innovation with regulatory and safety requirements. • Strategic thinker with hands-on technical credibility.