Director, IFE Hardware Products

RAVE Aerospace GmbH; Brea (CA); Hybrid; USD 169,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Home allowance for workspace

Discretionary bonus program

401(k) with company match

PTO and year-end holiday shutdown

Flexible 9/80 schedule

Job summary

RAVE Aerospace GmbH seeks a Director of IFE Hardware Products to lead the full lifecycle from concept to retirement, shaping the long-term vision and portfolio strategy for the IFE hardware line. You will drive cross-functional alignment with Engineering, Certification, Production, Sales and PM, influencing investments and roadmap priorities.

This executive role requires strong leadership, market awareness, and stakeholder management to ensure sustained growth and competitive advantage in the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent experience in a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in product roles.
• 7+ years in a management or leadership role.
• Extensive product management or industry experience with IFE hardware.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, portfolio management, and lifecycle ownership.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive long-term vision and strategy for the IFE hardware portfolio.
• Champion and communicate the roadmap across the organization and with executive leadership.
• Translate strategic goals into product direction, investment priorities, and measurable outcomes.
• Partner with executives to set business priorities based on market trends and financial impact.
• Provide executive oversight for product design, feature definition, and lifecycle management.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Product lifecycle

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

The Director of IFE Hardware Products provides strategic leadership for the full lifecycle of IFE hardware, from concept (S0) through retirement (S12). This role defines the long-term vision and roadmap, ensuring products meet customer needs, align with market trends, and deliver strong business results. The Director drives portfolio strategy oversees product development and launch, and ensures cross-functional alignment with Engineering, Certification, Production, Sales, and Program Management. The Director maintains transparency with executive leadership and stakeholders, ensuring the IFE hardware portfolio delivers sustained growth and competitive advantage.

Core Responsibilities

• Define and drive the long-term vision and strategy for the IFE hardware portfolio, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and market positioning
• Champion and communicate the product roadmap across the organization and with executive leadership, ensuring clarity, alignment, and buy-in
• Translate strategic goals into product direction, investment priorities, and measurable outcomes, while delegating detailed requirements to product and engineering teams
• Partner with executive stakeholders to set business priorities based on market trends, customer needs, and financial impact
• Provide executive oversight for product design, feature definition, and lifecycle management from concept through retirement
• Influence and align cross-functional leaders—including Engineering, Certification, Production, and Sales—to execute product vision effectively
• Act as the executive customer advocate, maintaining strong relationships with customers and OEMs to ensure evolving needs are reflected in the roadmap
• Oversee continuous improvement efforts by integrating customer, operational, and market feedback into both current and future products
• Establish and manage performance goals, capacity planning, and budget allocations to optimize resources across product development functions
• Collaborate with Strategy, Sales, and senior leadership to shape long-term portfolio direction and ensure competitiveness in the market
• Represent the IFE hardware organization in quality, regulatory, and OEM audit processes at the executive level
• Provide executive-level reporting on portfolio performance, risks, and resource planning to senior leadership
• Lead, develop, and mentor senior managers and their teams to ensure organizational capability, growth, and high performance

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent experience in a related field
• 10+ years of experience working in product roles
• 7+ years of experience working in a management or leadership role
• Extensive product management or industry experience, with deep knowledge of IFE hardware and market dynamics
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, portfolio management, and lifecycle ownership of complex products
• Strong technical foundation in IFE systems and hardware, with the ability to translate customer and market needs into product strategies
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all organizational levels

The starting pay range for this position is $168,500 - $189,500 per year however, the base pay offered may vary depending on the level of the position, skills, experience, job-related knowledge, and location.

In addition to a comprehensive package of health benefits that include company contributions, RAVE Aerospace offers a variety of additional benefits and perks to enhance your work-life balance experience including but not limited to:

• A home allowance to elevate your home workspace
• Discretionary bonus program
• Future financial security with a 401(k) program with a company match
• Paid time off covering vacations, personal time off, and sick days, capped off by an exciting year-end holiday shutdown
• Embraced flexibility with our alternative work schedule (9/80) to navigate your workweeks with every other Friday off