Design Engineering Manager

Design Engineering Leader – Aircraft Structures

📍 Onsite | Relocation Support Available

💰 $150,000–$180,000 Benefits

Are you an experienced aerospace design engineer looking to lead the development of next-generation aircraft structures?

We're partnering with an innovative aerospace company that's investing heavily in its engineering capability and is looking for a Design Engineering Leader to build and mentor a growing team responsible for the design of primary aircraft structures.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a leadership role where you'll influence technical direction, develop engineers, and play a key part in bringing advanced aircraft from concept through to manufacture.

What You'll Do

• Lead and develop the Design Engineering (CAD) team.
• Mentor and grow a team of talented engineers into aircraft structures specialists.
• Own the design of primary aircraft structures, ensuring robust, manufacturable engineering solutions.
• Work closely with Stress Analysis, R&D, Manufacturing and Engineering Leadership throughout the product lifecycle.
• Help shape the future of the engineering organisation as the team continues to expand.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an experienced aircraft structures engineer with a strong technical foundation and proven leadership ability.

You'll ideally bring:

• 10 years of aerospace structural design experience.
• Extensive experience designing primary aircraft structures, particularly wing structures.
• Strong knowledge of:
• Aircraft structural design
• Wing spars, stringers and load paths
• Structural layout and packaging
• Materials selection
• Fastener selection (Hi-Loks, rivets, etc.)
• Corrosion protection, coatings and surface treatments
• Aerospace manufacturing processes
• Expert-level CAD experience (Siemens NX preferred).
• A design-for-manufacturing mindset, understanding how great CAD translates into efficient production.
• Previous experience mentoring or leading engineering teams.

We're particularly interested in candidates from established aerospace OEMs, including commercial aviation, rotorcraft, defence or advanced aircraft programmes.

Why Join?

• Lead a growing engineering organisation during an exciting phase of expansion.
• Work alongside experienced engineering leaders across Design, Stress Analysis and R&D.
• Shape the development of future aircraft programmes.
• Build and mentor the next generation of aircraft structures engineers.
• Competitive salary of $150,000–$180,000, with flexibility for exceptional experience.
• Relocation assistance available for the right candidate.

If you're passionate about aircraft structures, engineering excellence and developing high-performing teams, we'd love to hear from you.