Procurement Engineering - Manager - Level 5

Standard Job Description

Manages a team that coordinates with Sourcing, Operations, Design Engineering, the Supply Base and Industry experts to facilitate the design, production, test and qualification of aerospace and defense products. Responsible for coordinating subordinate employee recruitment, selection and training, performance assessment, work assignments, salary, and recognition/disciplinary actions. Directs the analyses of technical data, engineering designs, preliminary specifications, manufacturing limitations, supplier facilities, and parts/equipment availability. Manages the facilitation of technical trade-offs and standardization that may lead to more economical procurement. Manages design changes to mitigate production issues. Leads teams of Supplier and internal staff in collaboratively solving problems in Producibility, Quality, Inspection, Cost, Mistake-Proofing, Test, Reliability and Affordability.

Position Overview:

Lead the Global Supply Chain Engineering (GSC) team of subject‑matter experts (SMEs) specializing in airframe manufacturing (forging, casting, machining, composites, tubes, tooling). You will partner with Buyers, Design Engineering (IPT), Technical Subcontract Managers (TSM), Supplier Quality, and other stakeholders to proactively manage supplier risk, secure alternate sources, and support Manufacturing Readiness Assessments across all Aeronautics lines of business (F‑35, IFG, AMMM, ADP).

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership

• Manage the GSC Structures Technical Solutions Team
• Direct, recruit, train, and develop a high-performing engineering team.
• Conduct performance reviews, assign work, manage compensation, and perform recognition/disciplinary actions.
• Champion Full Spectrum Leadership principles.

Supplier Risk Management

• Identify, prevent, and mitigate supplier shortages caused by technical issues.
• Lead root cause investigations and drive corrective actions to closure.
• Perform supplier capability analyses and evaluate alternate sources of supply.

Manufacturing Readiness

• Support Manufacturing Readiness Assessments (MRAs) for new and existing programs.
• Validate that supplier processes meet program requirements.

Travel

• Up to 20% domestic/international travel to supplier sites, program offices, and industry events.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 20 % of the time.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (e.g., Mechanical, Aerospace, Materials, Industrial Engineering).
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience working with aerospace suppliers, including technical evaluation and issue resolution.
• Expereince interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing processes.

Desired Skills

• Proven leadership of technical or engineering teams (4-7 years).
• Strong organizational and administrative abilities (resource planning, reporting, budgeting).
• Excellent interpersonal skills; adept at building relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Direct experience with aircraft components and related manufacturing methods (e.g., forging, casting, machining, composites).
• Demonstrated success in troubleshooting and mitigating complex supply base technical issues.
• Adaptability in high pace, high demand environments; able to prioritize competing priorities.
• Effective written and verbal communication, including presentations to senior leadership.