Engineering Leader — Aerospace Systems & Innovation

Eleven Recruiting; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Eleven Recruiting is searching for a VP of Engineering to join our aerospace manufacturing client onsite in Rockford, IL. This role drives strategic and technical leadership across systems, electrical, mechanical, firmware, software, and test engineering to deliver high-reliability products.

The ideal candidate will lead multidisciplinary teams, develop roadmaps, and ensure performance, quality, and compliant program execution from concept through production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of engineering experience with 7+ years in senior leadership.
• Proven success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams on complex hardware/software systems.
• Experience developing high-reliability aerospace, defense, medical, or regulated products from concept to production.
• Strong knowledge of systems engineering, requirements decomposition, verification/validation, configuration management.
• Experience with electromechanical actuation, flight controls, autopilots, or ball screw tech desirable.
• Knowledge of Agile/Jira, model-based design, digital engineering, embedded software, and system-level integration.
• Experience scaling engineering organizations and implementing modern development processes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to manage supplier relationships and cross-functional projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead all engineering disciplines and set strategic direction across product lines.
• Develop engineering roadmaps aligned with strategy and customer needs.
• Drive innovation in electromechanical actuation and ball screw tech.
• Oversee full product lifecycle from architecture to manufacturing transition.
• Establish engineering standards, documentation, and quality systems.
• Partner with Product, Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and executives.
• Ensure programs meet performance, quality, schedule, cost, and compliance.
• Build and mentor high-performing engineering teams and leaders.
• Manage budgets, resources, staffing, and organizational structure.
• Provide senior technical leadership for customer engagements and reviews.
• Promote accountability, continuous improvement, innovation, and technical excellence.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Systems engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Communication

Problem solving

Supplier management

Leadership development

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or related discipline

Tools

Agile/Jira

Model-based design

Digital engineering

Embedded software

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Eleven Recruiting is searching for a VP of Engineering to join our aerospace manufacturing client onsite in Rockford, IL. This role drives strategic and technical leadership across systems, electrical, mechanical, firmware, software, and test engineering to deliver high-reliability products.

The ideal candidate will lead multidisciplinary teams, develop roadmaps, and ensure performance, quality, and compliant program execution from concept through production.