AeroTEC is an aerospace engineering company with facilities in Seattle, Arlington, and Moses Lake. We provide a wide array of high-end services and turnkey solutions ranging from aircraft level analysis and design engineering, all the way to prototype flight testing and complete airworthiness certification. Our highly experienced aerospace engineering, testing, and program management teams work closely with customers to address their unique needs in a safe and cost-effective manner, utilizing proven in-house development methodologies and tools.
About the Team
AeroTEC’s Engineering Department provides comprehensive, full-service aerospace engineering across the full aircraft development lifecycle — requirements definition, design, analysis, integration, test, and certification. Spanning Structures and Flight Sciences, Design and Stress, Mechanical Systems, Aircraft Systems, Systems Engineering and Certification, Test and Evaluation, and Product Innovation, the Department delivers the technical capability behind AeroTEC’s customer programs and its own products, and is central to the company’s mission to pioneer the future of sustainable aerospace.
About the Role
The Head of Engineering is responsible for the overall strategy and managing a team in multiple systems, in day-to-day operations engineering department, ensuring processes are followed and initiating improvements to the department. This role requires the significant exercise of independent discretion and judgment in matters of significance.
In This Role You Will
The Head of Engineering is responsible for creating and executing strategic planning in areas including, but not limited to technical competencies, hiring, budget, new business development and revenue stream generation, tactical deployment of resources, internal and external capability development, people development, metrics and internal measures.
- Technical Leadership
- Define and execute the company's technical strategy in alignment with business objectives.
- Ensure the scalability, security, and robustness of all engineering solutions.
- Provide hands-on technical guidance and mentorship to engineering teams.
- Stay ahead of industry trends and leverage emerging technologies to maintain a competitive edge.
- Team Leadership and Development
- Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing engineering team across multiple disciplines (e.g., structures, stress, systems engineering, avionics, software, test & evaluation, product development).
- Build a department organizational structure with appropriate, cost-effective staffing levels to ensure operational performance standards are met or exceeded.
- Lead large teams, handling the inherent communication challenges, personnel issues, allocation of resources to execute company objectives and providing motivation, discretion and coaching/mentoring when required. Act as a role model within the organization. Lead by example.
- Complete performance previews for direct reports. Regularly identify and celebrate accomplishments. Aggressively manage poor performance and work with managers and HR to address issues according to company guidelines.
- Fully engage as the “hiring manager” throughout the hiring process (e.g. complete Job Requisition Forms; interview candidates; make timely hiring decisions) for critical positions and direct reports to the Head of Engineering.
- Foster a collaborative and inclusive culture that promotes innovation and professional growth.
- Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure team success.
- Project and Product Management
- Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of engineering projects, ensuring alignment with timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
- Implement agile methodologies to optimize workflow and improve time-to-market.
- Process Optimization
- Develop and implement best practices, coding standards, and engineering workflows.
- Identify and address bottlenecks in processes, ensuring maximum efficiency and productivity.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize the software development lifecycle.
- Drive continuous organizational improvement by defining and collecting engineering quality metrics and lead activities to increase performance.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with other departments, such as Program Management, Sales and Marketing, Operations, Human Resources, etc. to align technical goals with broader organizational objectives.
- Act as a liaison between the engineering team and executive leadership, translating technical challenges and opportunities into actionable business strategies.
- Risk Management and Compliance
- Proactively identify and properly address safety issues. Act as a “champion of safety” for the organization and be an authority for safety of flight for products.
- Identify and mitigate technical risks, ensuring system reliability and data security.
- Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations, standards, and certifications.
- Business Development
- Support business development opportunities by representing the Company in a highly professional and appropriate manner, with the ability to clearly and succinctly explain Company capabilities, respond rapidly to potential customer requests and identify mutually agreeable opportunities.
- Participate in high level business negotiations using strong communication and negotiation skills. The ability to defend a position during negotiation through clear lines of argument, protecting Company interests and the ability to negotiate win-win outcomes is required.
- Act on behalf of the Company President as appropriate, delegated and agreed, on matters of strategic importance and customer interactions.
The Skills You Will Bring (Minimum):
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in an Aerospace or Engineering related field.
Experience:
- 15+ years of Aerospace Engineering or Flight Test field experience.
- 5+ years in leadership positions.
- Experience leading multiple teams in varied groups.
- Experience with managing a project (resources, tools, schedule) to completion.
Physical Requirements:
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and/or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Must have the ability to sit for long periods of time.
- The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- Travel 25% (flying and driving) to various international and domestic worksites may be required.
- Driving personal vehicle for errands required. State driver’s license and clean driving record required.
AeroTEC Ways of Working and Benefits:
At AeroTEC, we are on a mission to Accelerate the Evolution of Aerospace. We lead the market in the integration and testing of sustainable propulsion technologies, pioneering the future of sustainable aerospace.
AeroTEC is building a culture where personal and professional growth are just as important as business growth. We invest in our people, supporting their career development by offering customized career development plans, in-house learning, mentorship, and up to $5,250.00/year in education reimbursement.
We are committed to our employee’s well-being, providing Unlimited Time-Off (for salaried employees), employer paid premiums for our employees’ Health coverage (PPO/HDHP plans), Dental, $40,000 Life Insurance Policy, and complementary access to our Employee Assistance and Health Advocate Program’s.
Additional Benefits include (but not limited to): 401(k) and Employer Match for the Employee, Vision, Additional Life Insurance Options, Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital Indemnity, Cell Phone Cost Reimbursement, Pet Insurance, ID Watchdog, Legal Shield, and Perk Spot Discounts.
Hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, at AeroTEC we reward outstanding performance with a quarterly bonus scheme and SIP (for sales positions). Positions may or may not qualify for sign-on bonus or relocation assistance.
But we are more than just a team; we’re a family that works hard and plays hard! From AeroTEC AeroTEC’s own Flying Club, Softball League, Seattle Mariners Tickets, to Team Bike Rides, Karting, Golf Scrambles and more. We’re committed to creating a workplace where fun and work are not mutually exclusive!
AeroTEC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
This position must meet export control compliance requirements. To meet export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.15 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related engineering field
- 15 or more years of aerospace engineering or flight test experience
- At least 5 years in leadership positions
- Experience leading multiple teams across varied groups
- Experience managing a project, including resources, tools, and schedule, through completion
- U.S. Person status under 22 C.F.R. §120.15 for export-control compliance
- Valid state driver’s license and clean driving record
- Ability to travel up to 25% to domestic and international worksites
What We Do
AeroTEC develops, tests, and certifies new aerospace products, leveraging integrated assets to help innovators bring their products to market quickly and efficiently. The company provides turn-key FAA flight test certification services, engineering design, and data analysis for aircraft OEMs and modifiers, with a focus on emerging technologies such as electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-fueled aircraft.
