Job Description
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Senior Manager - Production Engineering for Airframe, Structures & Landing Gear defines how the airframe,
structures and landing gear are made. The scope covers detail parts, special processes and structural assembly.
The role leads a team of manufacturing engineers covering structures assembly, metallic and composite
components, and special processes, and is accountable for the methods, tooling requirements and process
capability that allow structural parts to be made and joined to approved design data.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
• Define and prove the manufacturing methods for every airframe and structural item, from detail part to
major structural assembly.
• Qualify and control the special processes on which structural integrity depends.
• Drive producibility into the airframe design ahead of the definition-freeze gates.
• Deliver the process capability, tolerance control and work instructions required for a conforming, traceable
structural build.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Detail Part Methods
• Define the methods for composite layup and cure, machining, forming, sheet metal work and computer
numerical control programming.
• Set process parameters, cure cycles, cutting strategies and tooling requirements; prove them through first
article and capability studies.
Structural Assembly Methods
• Define how structural parts are joined: drilling, fastening, bonded joints, shimming and rigging.
• Own the structural build sequence, station definition, determinant assembly strategy and tolerance stack-up.
• Define the jig, fixture and drill template requirements passed to the tooling group.
Special Processes
• Qualify and police the special processes: surface treatment, bonding, heat treatment, non-destructive
testing and paint.
• Own process specifications, operator authorisation and periodic requalification; support supplier and inhouse process approvals, including Nadcap-aligned accreditation where adopted.
• Own the control of the associated chemical, environmental and safety requirements with QHSE.
Definition, Configuration and Documentation
• Own the manufacturing bill of material and process plans for the airframe scope, and keep them aligned to
the released engineering definition.
• Issue and control work instructions and workmanship standards for the structural build.
• Support first article inspection, concession and non-conformance resolution with Quality and Engineering.
Team and Interfaces
• Lead, develop and grow the team across structures assembly, components and special processes.
• Hold the interfaces to Engineering, Manufacturing and Quality, Supply Chain, and the tooling group.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Materials or Aeronautical Engineering.
• 12-15+ years in manufacturing or method engineering on aerospace primary or secondary structure,
including team leadership.
• Hands-on experience across both composite and metallic manufacturing methods.
• Demonstrated experience qualifying and controlling aerospace special processes.
• Working knowledge of structural assembly methods: drilling and fastening, bonded joints, shimming and
dimensional control.
• Familiarity with aerospace quality requirements, including AS9100, first article inspection and nonconformance control.
Preferred:
• Nadcap audit or accreditation experience.
• Landing gear or Airframe manufacturing or integration exposure.
• Determinant assembly and digital product definition experience.
• eVTOL, urban air mobility or lightweight composite airframe exposure.
KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
• Deep practical knowledge of how structural parts are actually made and joined.
• Rigour on process capability, tolerance and repeatability.
• Ability to challenge a design constructively on producibility grounds.
• Clear technical writing for work instructions and process specifications.
• Calm problem solving on the shop floor under schedule pressure.
• Effective leadership of a small, highly technical team.