Manager, Technical Leads

The Technology Team Manager will lead a team of Technical Leads and will be responsible for driving innovation, technical excellence, and strategic growth in the design, development and TRL advancement of composite materials at AEC for 1) aerostructures, 2) aeroengines, and 3) high temperature applications. This technology team manager will define technology roadmaps, guide engineering teams, and ensure that AEC’s composite solutions meet geometrical, performance, safety, cost, and certification requirements. The role also requires strong engagement with customers (both domestic and international) to understand their needs, communicate AEC’s capabilities, and ensure delivery of competitive solutions.

 

Key Duties/Responsibilities:

 

• Define and lead the composite technology roadmap to align with business and customer needs.
• Lead a team of technology leader and specialists in composite materials, design, analysis, manufacturing, inspection, testing, and integration.
• Oversee trade studies balancing weight, cost, performance and manufacturability for aeroengines, aerostructures and high-temperature applications.
• Drive technology maturation by advancing composite solutions for aerostructures, aeroengines, and high temperature applications between TRL 3 to 5, ensuring readiness for integration into development and production programs.
• Identify and select appropriate composite manufacturing methods, such as weaving, braiding, layup, dry fiber placement, or hybrid approaches, to ensure optimal performance, cost and manufacturability.
• Develop and oversee integration of in-process inspection systems for accuracy and defect detection.
• Engage with customers to understand requirements, communicate capabilities, and ensure delivery of commitments.
• Collaborate with aerostructures, aeroengines, and systems engineering teams to integrate composite solutions into larger assemblies.
• Provide support for bids, proposals, and business development activities including technical content development, cost estimation, and customer presentations, ensuring alignment with the department overall objectives and compliance requirements.
• Develop and manage project plans, budgets, and schedules to meet program milestones.
• Collaborate with supply chain teams and tooling suppliers to ensure robust, production-ready designs.
• Mentor and develop engineering talent in composite structures best practices.

Qualifications

Position Competencies:

 

Knowledge / Experience:

 

• The ideal candidate is expected to demonstrate deep technical knowledge and proven experience in at least one of the following three core areas:

 

• Aeroengines: Solid understanding of gas turbine fundamentals. That includes operating conditions throughout the engine and the distribution of temperatures, pressures, and mechanical loads, along with the common failure modes that occur in engine environments, such as fatigue, creep, and oxidation. Additionally, knowledge of key structural components such as fan blades, fan cases, combustor liners, and exhausts. Familiarity with certification requirements under FAA and EASA standards is strongly desired, as is experience with engine components qualification and testing. General knowledge of composite parts integration with metallic structures and the broader propulsion system to ensure performance, reliability, and compliance is desired.

 

• Aerostructures: Strong understanding of aircraft structural design principles, including load paths and stress distributions. Additionally, knowledge of the operating environment of primary and secondary structures, such as wings, fuselage sections, spars, ribs, and control surfaces, with knowledge of the loads, pressures, and dynamic forces acting on these components. Expertise in structural analysis, fatigue and damage tolerance, and certification requirements under FAA and EASA regulations is essential. Experience with common composite failure modes, such as delamination, matrix cracking, and impact damage, as well as knowledge of non-destructive inspection methods.

 

• High-Temperature Composites: Deep knowledge of the different types of ceramic matrix composite, such as SiC/SiC, C/SiC, C/C, and Oxide/Ox