Director of Information Systems

Piper Aircraft; Vero Beach (FL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Piper Aircraft seeks a visionary Director of Information Services to lead IT across engineering, manufacturing, maintenance, and corporate functions. You will drive a secure, scalable technology portfolio, align strategy with business goals, and ensure compliance in a highly regulated aviation environment.

You will oversee ERP/MES/PLM, MES shop-floor tech, CAD/PLM, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure while partnering with executives to balance innovation with risk management and cost control.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field required.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive IT leadership experience within aviation, aerospace, defense, or highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience implementing and supporting ERP, MES, PLM, and enterprise business systems within complex manufacturing operations.
• Strong understanding of aviation manufacturing processes, engineering systems, and production environments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and regulatory requirements including CMMC, ITAR, DFARS, NIST 800-171, and related standards.
• Experience leading enterprise digital transformation initiatives, smart factory implementations, IoT integration, automation projects, and data analytics strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise IT operations across engineering, production, quality, supply chain, and corporate functions, ensuring high system availability and reliability.
• Develop and execute the IT strategy and digital transformation roadmap.
• Partner with leadership to implement technology solutions that enhance productivity, traceability, and compliance.
• Oversee ERP systems supporting production planning, inventory management, procurement, and supply chain operations.
• Direct the implementation and support of MES, shop-floor technologies, and system integrations.
• Manage CAD, PLM, and engineering systems with enterprise integration.
• Establish and maintain enterprise cybersecurity strategies and controls to protect data.
• Ensure compliance with aviation, defense, and regulatory requirements (AS9100, ITAR, CMMC, DFARS, NIST 800-171, FAA).
• Oversee enterprise IT infrastructure including networks, servers, cloud, and end-user computing.
• Lead disaster recovery planning, business continuity, and incident response protocols.

Skills

IT leadership

IT strategy

cybersecurity

ERP/MES/PLM

Aviation manufacturing

Digital transformation

IoT integration

Data analytics

Disaster recovery

Regulatory compliance

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS/Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Job description

The Director, Information Services provides strategic and operational leadership for all information technology systems supporting aviation engineering, manufacturing, maintenance, and corporate operations. This role is responsible for ensuring secure, reliable, scalable, and compliant technology solutions that drive operational efficiency, innovation, data integrity, and regulatory compliance across the organization. The Director, Information Services partners closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to align technology strategy with long‑term business objectives while supporting a highly regulated aviation manufacturing environment.

Essential Job Functions

• Lead enterprise IT operations across engineering, production, quality, supply chain, and corporate functions, ensuring high system availability, performance, and reliability.
• Develop and execute the organization’s IT strategy and digital transformation roadmap in alignment with business and operational goals.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations leadership to implement technology solutions that enhance productivity, traceability, and compliance.
• Oversee ERP systems supporting production planning, inventory management, procurement, and supply chain operations.
• Direct the implementation and support of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), shop‑floor technologies, and system integrations supporting manufacturing and quality processes.
• Manage CAD, PLM, and engineering systems while ensuring integration across enterprise platforms.
• Establish and maintain enterprise cybersecurity strategies, frameworks, and controls to protect proprietary designs, manufacturing data, customer information, and regulated technical data.
• Ensure compliance with aviation, defense, and regulatory requirements including AS9100, ITAR, CMMC, DFARS, NIST 800-171, and applicable FAA requirements.
• Oversee enterprise IT infrastructure including networks, servers, cloud environments, telecommunications, and end‑user computing systems to support secure global collaboration and remote access.
• Develop enterprise IT infrastructure including networks, servers, cloud environments, telecommunications, and end‑user computing systems to support secure global collaboration and remote access.
• Manage enterprise software licensing, vendor relationships, managed service providers, and technology contracts.
• Develop and administer departmental operating and capital budgets, ensuring cost‑effective technology investments and resource allocation.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend solutions that improve operational effectiveness, cybersecurity posture, and competitive advantage.
• Lead, mentor, and develop IT personnel while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Provide regular updates and strategic recommendations to executive leadership regarding technology initiatives, risks, and organizational needs.
• Support internal and external audits related to cybersecurity, systems, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Lead disaster recovery planning, business continuity initiatives, system redundancy strategies, and incident response protocols.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Position Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive IT leadership experience within aviation, aerospace, defense, or highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience implementing and supporting ERP, MES, PLM, and enterprise business systems within complex manufacturing operations.
• Strong understanding of aviation manufacturing processes, engineering systems, and production environments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and regulatory requirements including CMMC, ITAR, DFARS, NIST 800-171, and related standards.
• Experience leading enterprise digital transformation initiatives, smart factory implementations, IoT integration, automation projects, and data analytics strategies.
• Strong technical knowledge of infrastructure, networking, cloud computing, enterprise applications, cybersecurity, and systems integration.
• Experience with disaster recovery, business continuity planning, and enterprise risk management.

Physical Demands

• Demonstrates physical and functional ability to perform and accomplish tasks. Ability to lift and carry up to 35 lbs.

Mental Demands

• Ability to analyze and solve complex and technical operational issues
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong strategic thinking, decision‑making, and organizational skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulatory, cybersecurity, and compliance requirements.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to both office and plant environments. May be exposed to odors, chemical agents, dust, fumes, gases, sharp objects, hazardous or moving equipment, wet slippery floors, and extremes in temperature and humidity.
• Interacts regularly with various staff and employees, and occasionally with vendors, suppliers, community members and regulatory agency representatives.
• Travel and overtime are required when necessary.

Operational Excellence

• Supports all operational excellence initiatives ensuring full participation in all department services, continuous improvement efforts, and training programs.

Quality Assurance

• Maintains a safe, orderly working environment including FOD compliance.
• Ensures adherence to Piper Aircraft, Inc. corporate compliance policies.
• Adheres to organization and department policies and procedures.

Compliance

• Responsible for ensuring compliance with laws, rules and regulations appropriate to job function.
• Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.
• Work ethically and with integrity; upholds organizational values.
• Maintains compliance with company safety policies and procedures, OSHA, and EPA regulations including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), behaviors, physical space and hazardous waste disposal procedures.

Communicates Effectively

• Effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills who understands how to develop and maintain external supplier and internal customer relations in both written and oral form.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism at all times during direct contact with employees, suppliers, and customers.

Decision Quality

• Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving on‑time with deliverables.
• Knows and contributes the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.

Attention to Detail

• Takes responsibility for a thorough, accurate, and detailed method of completing work tasks.

Drives Results

• Overcomes adversity, consistently achieving quality results - even under demanding deadlines and unexpected operating circumstances.

Teamwork

• Interacts, partners, and collaborates effectively with others, positively contributing to overall department and organizational deliverables and results