Senior Manager, Engineering
Redmond, WA, US, 98053
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Director of Engineering to lead the development, certification, and lifecycle support of landing gear systems for current and next-generation aerospace platforms. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise in landing gear design and integration, strong leadership and communication skills, and a proven track record of managing complex engineering programs within the aerospace sector.
Why Join Us?
- Lead transformative aerospace programs with global impact.
- Work in a collaborative, high-performance culture that values innovation and technical excellence.
- Competitive compensation and benefits, with opportunities for career growth.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for the design, analysis, testing, certification, and support of landing gear systems.
- Set technical direction and oversee execution across all phases of the product lifecycle – from concept development and requirements definition to production and in-service support.
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., FAA, EASA, DoD) and industry standards (e.g., ARP4754A, DO-160, AS9100).
- Drive innovation in landing gear technology, materials, and design methodologies to improve performance, safety, cost, and maintainability.
- Serve as the technical authority on landing gear systems; resolve complex engineering challenges and interface with customers, regulatory agencies, and internal stakeholders.
- Collaborate with program management, supply chain, quality, and manufacturing to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of engineering solutions.
- Develop and manage departmental budgets, resource planning, and talent development strategies.
- Support business development and proposal efforts by providing technical leadership and estimating engineering effort and risk.
- Establish engineering processes, best practices, and tools to ensure high-quality and efficient development.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field (Master’s or Ph.D. preferred).
- Minimum of 15 years of aerospace engineering experience with at least 7 years in landing gear systems.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in a senior engineering leadership role.
- Deep knowledge of aircraft landing gear design, dynamics, hydraulics, materials, and integration.
- Experience with FAA/EASA certification processes and airworthiness standards.
- Proven leadership ability in cross-functional environments and large-scale programs.
- Strong communication, decision-making, and organizational skills.
- Experience working with OEMs, suppliers, and regulatory agencies.
- Familiarity with PLM systems (e.g., Teamcenter), CAD (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks), and FEA/CAE tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience leading landing gear development for commercial or military aircraft platforms.
- Experience with systems engineering approaches and model-based systems engineering (MBSE).
- Exposure to advanced manufacturing techniques and digital engineering initiatives.
Working knowledge of:
- Aircraft landing systems design (kinematic arrangements, struts, braces, shock absorbers, extension/retraction systems and system controls, landing gear doors, wheels, tires and brakes, brake control systems, steering systems, gear position detection)
- Aircraft hydraulic systems (schematic arrangements, pumps, valve, accumulators, fluid filtration, sensors and controls)
- Shock absorber design
- Hydraulic actuator design
- Landing gear structural design
- Stress analysis
- Landing gear, hydraulic and steering system dynamic analysis (fluid and rigid body dynamics)
- Landing gear testing (system testing, drop testing, wheel and brake testing, environmental testing, hydraulic testing)
- Materials and processes (high strength materials, plating and coatings, bearings and mechanics of wear)
- Landing gear manufacture and assembly practices
- Hydraulic sealing systems (seals, coatings, surface finished, fluids)
Work Environment and Travel
- Primarily office-based with periodic travel to suppliers, test sites, or customer locationsup to 25% travel expected.
Compensation Data
Pay Range: $143,100 - $214,700 annually.
Nearest Major Market: Seattle
Nearest Secondary Market: Bellevue