Head of Design

K&K Selekt Human Resources Consulting; Krosno; On-site; PLN 280,000 - 420,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

International aviation environment

Teamwork culture

Future growth into leadership roles

Company events

Job summary

K&K Selekt Human Resources Consulting is seeking a Head of Design for an advanced aircraft programme. You will lead technical design authority across structure, aerodynamics, and systems, and steer the engineering organization.

The role requires 8–10 years in engineering and 3–5 years in senior leadership, with strong communication and cross-functional collaboration in an international aviation setting. English proficiency, aerospace/Mechanical engineering degree, and driving license required;

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in a technical field (Aerospace or Mechanical).
• 8–10 years in engineering roles with progression to leadership.
• 3–5 years in senior engineering leadership (design authority/ chief engineer).
• English proficiency for documentation, audits and business comms.
• Experience with quality management and aviation compliance tooling.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical design authority for aircraft structures, aerodynamics, and systems.
• Approve design changes and substantiation data; set engineering standards.
• Lead and develop the engineering team; coordinate external partners.
• Deputy Factory Manager responsibilities: interface to factory organisation.
• Identify and manage technical and programme risks; drive timely resolutions.
• Maintain and lead documentation, compliance evidence and audits.
• Lead flight test planning and engineering audits/reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Design authority

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Aerospace knowledge

Education

Engineering degree (Aerospace or Mechanical)

Tools

Quality management systems

Aviation compliance tools

Audit software

Flight/test documentation tools

Job description

Head of Design

Location: Subcarpathian Voivodeship

K&K Selekt Human Resources Consulting for 25 years has been conducting HR consulting projects for global, renowned industrial and service companies as well as new investments. Our partners develop their businesses thanks to well‑matched management staff, managers, leaders, and experienced engineers. Development, change, success, and satisfaction are the features that make companies and talents grow with us, in accordance with their needs and goals.

Aim Of The Role

The Head of Design holds technical design authority for the aircrafts and is the senior engineering leader for the entire aircraft programme.

Scope Of Responsibilities

• Design Authority & Technical Leadership:
  • Overall responsibility for technical design of the aircrafts (structure, aerodynamics, systems).
  • Approval authority over all design changes and technical substantiation data.
  • Setting and maintaining engineering standards, methods, and design baseline.
  • Leading and developing the engineering team; coordinating external engineering partners.
• Deputy Factory Manager (additional responsibility):
  • Deputising for the Plant Manager during absences.
  • Engineering interface to factory organisation.
  • Coordinating engineering / supply chain / assembly line interface.
  • Representing site toward suppliers and authorities in Plant Manager's absence.
• Technical Risk & Programme Delivery:
  • Identification and assessment of technical and programme risks.
  • Escalation to Accountable Manager and Airworthiness Manager.
  • Driving timely resolution of open technical items.
• Documentation Management:
  • Building and maintaining compliance evidence (structure, flight performance, flight controls, landing gear, occupant protection, powerplant, electrical systems).
  • Managing engineering substantiation (structural analysis, aeroelastic stability, system safety assessment).
  • Technical planning and leadership of flight test campaign.
  • Engineering‑side point of contact during audits and reviews.
• Proven leadership: already led an engineering organisation, production / final assembly site, or comparable technical operation in a regulated environment.
• Demonstrable experience in structural design and / or flight performance substantiation.

Requirements

• Higher education degree in a technical field. Completed engineering degree — aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering with aviation focus, or equivalent.
• Minimum 8–10 years in engineering roles; demonstrated progression to technical leadership / design authority level.
• Minimum 3–5 years in a senior engineering leadership role (design authority, chief engineer, engineering manager, or comparable).
• English skills (written and spoken): professional working proficiency for documentation, audits, business communication.
• Quality management system tools; audit and traceability documentation software; aviation compliance documentation tools.
• Driving license Cat. B is required.
• Excellent analytical skills with a strong ability to identify and resolve problems.
• Strong communication skills. Cross‑functional communication toward engineering, production, and management.
• Leadership presence — able to build, lead, and develop both an engineering team and a production workforce.
• Deep technical understanding across all aircraft subsystems.

Our Partner Offers

• Professional and personal development opportunities.
• Positive working environment based on teamwork and unquestionable integrity and professionalism.
• Work in an international environment of aviation enthusiasts.
• Opportunity to develop into a Head of Quality & Safety / Compliance Director in the future.
• Company events.