ABOUT THE JOB The Vice President, New Product Engineering (NPE), will lead and oversea the engineering team responsible for the conception, design, development, and launch of new aircraft products. The successful candidate should have prior organizational leadership experience, be able to collaborate with team members, and be a strategic problem-solver. This executive role requires a visionary leader with Strong communication skills, an ability to connect with engineers and developers, and have a solid foundation in aircraft design, development and certification.Located in beautiful Duluth, Minnesota, the home to our corporate headquarters, Duluth is a four-season city on the western tip of Lake Superior and was voted Best Town by Outside Magazine. The splendor of the world's largest freshwater lake offers many outdoor activities for adventure or rejuvenation. The North Shore lifestyle is known for its year-round activities, including bicycle and snowmobile trails, kayaking, rock climbing, fishing, hiking, golfing, sailing, and skiing. As a top employer in the area, Cirrus Aircraft was recently named “Best Overall Large Company to Work for in the Northland” and “Best Workplace Culture” by the Duluth News Tribune readers. Report directly to the Senior Vice President Product Development, areas of responsibilities include:
Structures Engineering
Airframe Design
Structural Test
Structural Analysis
Equipment & Furnishings
Aerodynamics
Materials & Processes
Mechanical Systems Engineering
Propulsion
Mechanical Systems
Pneumatics
Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPSTM)
Avionics and Electrical Engineering
Avionics and Test
Electrical
EWIS
Software
Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing engineering team.
Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
As part of a matrix organization, work to deploy resources to product programs
Work with the Program Management organization to optimize performance of assigned engineers
Contributing to recruitment activities resulting in hiring and training new employees
Developing standards and procedures to ensure that quality standards are met and consistent.
Preparing and optimizing budgets.
Recommending technological developments and improvements inefficiency.
Developing the team to ensure quality end products.
Determine staffing requirements.
Develop and oversee training requirements, deployment, and follow up of technical competencies.
Supervise direct reporting staff according to overall company policy.
Support strategic planning to determine department objectives.
Set employee goals and objectives.
Monitor staff performance including performance reviews.
Delegate work duties to staff to attain objectives.
Allocate use of available resources
Monitor and assist staff with work progress
Evaluate current PD processes and systems
Manage department budgets
Plan and implement procedures and systems to maximize operating efficiency
Establish and maintain controls
Support department policies and practices
Co-ordinate financial and budget activities for maximum operational efficiency
Facilitate the preparation and analysis of reports
Review performance data (financial, sales and activity reports) to monitor and measure productivity, goal progress and activity levels
Responsible for the achievement of Engineering productivity and quality goals
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related discipline, Master’s degree preferred
15 years of engineering experience
20 years experience in the aerospace industry
15 years of leadership experience
15 years’ experience in commercial aircraft development and certification
Leadership experience required; formal training strongly preferred.
Ability to demonstrate sound judgement and effective communication skills (written and verbal).
Ability to effectively manage stress, including competing work demands and multiple projects at the same time.
Strong organizational leadership skills.
Extensive experience in working with stakeholders to create hiring strategies to develop quality teams.
Experience in recruiting Engineers and contributors.
Previous working experience in aircraft design and developing customer-orientated platforms.
Strong knowledge of data structures and algorithms.
Must be knowledgeable about industry trends, best practices, and change management.
Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Drives Results: Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances.
Ensures Accountability: Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments judgment
Decisive: Able to gather information, consult experts, and make decisions in a timely manner
Fiscally Responsible: Ensures good stewardship of company resources
Organized: Able to organize and plan effectively both personally and collectively with a team
Skilled at problem analysis and problem solving: Able to effectively analyze problems and methodically solve them to support Product Development goals.
Adept at delegation: Able to delegate tasks and responsibilities where it makes sense
Communicates effectively: Able to communicate in both verbal and written forms. Must be able to deal with internal and external stakeholders, suppliers, partners, and governments.
Coaches and mentors: Set the example for work ethic and productivity. Provides mentoring to more junior staff members
Leadership focused: Able to lead teams to perform at their best
Adaptable: Flexible and unemotional when things get tough and direction is minimal
ABOUT CIRRUS AIRCRAFT OUR MISSION To deliver our customers an aviation experience that is the pinnacle of innovation, quality, and safety. Founded in 1984, the company has redefined performance, comfort, and safety in aviation with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) - the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft. Worldwide flight time on Cirrus aircraft has passed sixteen million hours, and over 250 people have returned home safely to their families due to the inclusion of CAPS® as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft. OUR BENEFITS Cirrus offers a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, life, short and long-term disability insurance, a flexible spending account, a 401K retirement savings plan, voluntary vision, an Employee Referral Incentive Program, and vacation and holiday pay. Additionally, all employees enjoy discounts at the company store and exclusive discounts from our world-class partners, like Garmin, Bose, AT&T, Microsoft, Fastenal, and more. LIFE AT CIRRUS Cirrus is dedicated to advancing general aviation as a leading manufacturer of personal aircraft. The Cirrus Flying Club offers employees and their family members the unique opportunity to obtain their private pilot’s license in the comfort of a Cirrus or rent a Cirrus for an impromptu adventure at a significantly reduced rate. At Cirrus, we are committed to investing in the future of our employees and company by offering professional development and career progression opportunities that include onboarding, recurrent and area-specific training, talent acceleration and leadership development, continuing education, and tuition assistance programs. We also engage employees by offering several employee and family events throughout the year and the opportunity to participate in activity clubs and community events. From holiday and special occasion celebrations to local runs and barbecues, our team has the opportunity to connect with each other, the community, and our customers. OF NOTE Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice. Work beyond 40 hours per week may be required. Cirrus is dedicated to a drug-free work environment that promotes equal employment opportunities. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, veteran status, marital and family status, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Seniority level
Executive
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Engineering
Industries
Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing
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