Aviation Engineering Manager

Game Aerospace is a growing business that designs, manufactures, and sells composite airplanes. Our hand-crafted airplanes are delivered and flown around the world. For more information about the GameBird and our company, visit our website game.aero.

The Engineering Manager is a pivotal role responsible for leading a team of engineers in the design of complex general aviation structures and systems for both production and development aircraft. This position involves contributing to design and certification efforts as a technical lead, coordinating the engineering workload, serving as the primary liaison with other departments, and mentoring junior engineers. The Engineering Manager ensures compliance with company, industry, and regulatory standards, managing intricate issues related to aircraft performance and manufacturability. We value well-rounded engineers with a deep understanding of system interactions and expertise in one or more areas such as Structures, Avionics, Electrical, Mechanical Systems, Coatings, or Tooling.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Strategic Planning and Alignment:

• Develop and implement long-term goals and strategies for the engineering department to align with the company's overall objectives.
• Collaborate with senior management to ensure engineering goals support company-wide initiatives.

Project Management:

• Oversee multiple engineering projects, ensuring they meet deadlines, stay within budget, and adhere to quality standards.
• Assign leads for design projects and manufacturing support functions.
• Manage work assignments and priorities for engineering staff.
• Oversee design projects and track progress against overall scope and schedule.
• Optimize the use of personnel, equipment, and materials to improve efficiency and productivity.

Team Management and Development:

• Train and mentor less experienced engineers; coordinate continuous department training on company policies and procedures.
• Conduct annual performance reviews for direct reports, providing feedback on work quality and setting goals for future professional development.
• Review and approve PTO requests for direct reports.
• Address and resolve conflicts within the engineering team or between departments.

Design and Quality Control:

• Design components, sub-assemblies, and systems for general aviation aircraft, including concept generation, design development, data validation, 3D drawing creation, testing, and approval acquisition.
• Establish and communicate standard design practices and procedures within the department.
• Review work completed by engineering staff.
• Create, issue, and revise certification programs, test plans, and reports.
• Issue and update compliance documents and reports.
• Issue Minor Change documentation.
• Maintain the change register and conduct design audits with the ACO.
• Using SolidWorks, create, modify, and update engineering drawings for both individual components and large, complex assemblies in accordance with company procedure manuals.

Regulatory and Certification Compliance:

• Collaborate with the Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) on major change approvals and monitor and provide regular status on progress to Lead and Principal Engineers.
• Work with FAA and foreign regulators on type certificate validations.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate with the production team to improve product quality, production efficiency, and workplace safety.

Continuous Improvement:

• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance processes, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting:

• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for the engineering team.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of engineering processes, designs, and project progress.
• Provide regular reports to Chief Engineer.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited university.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in aerospace design.
• Ability to communicate effectively in the English language.
• Proficient with 3D modeling software, preferably SolidWorks.
• Ability to follow a structured design and certification process.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Composited aircraft design and fabrication experience.
• Previous work experience with a general aviation OEM.
• Lean Manufacturing knowledge.

Personal attributes that support your success:

• High intellectual curiosity, entrepreneurial, creative thinker and problem-solver,  fast learner, with demonstrated initiative.
• High level of maturity and ability to work in a team setting or independently.
• Willing to roll up your sleeves to help drive results.
• Unquestionable ethics and personal integrity.

Game Aerospace Benefits Overview:

Employee Health

• Medical, Dental, and Vision – plans that include both PPO and High-Deductible HSA options for medical.
• Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (Health, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Care) to reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Retirement and Financial Planning

• 401k Plan Highlights include a 4% company match with full vesting day 1.
• Our employee assistance program also includes financial coaching, will preparation, budgeting, and many more.

Protection for You and Your Family

• Company-paid Life Insurance and company-paid Short-Term Disability provide built-in financial protection from day one.
• Optional supplemental Life, Long-Term Disability, Accident, and Critical Illness plans allow you to customize your coverage as your family’s needs grow. 

PTO and Holidays

• 160 hours of Paid Time Off in addition to paid holidays

Employee Pilot Training

• Employee Pilot Training Program to get you your pilot license — a truly unique perk in aerospace.

Game Aerospace is not able to sponsor visas or hire applicants who require immigration sponsorship (e.g., H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1, etc.) at this time. Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the candidate in this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may evolve or change over time. Game Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status of protected veteran, among other things or status as a qualified individual with a disability.