Engineering Leader — Aerospace Systems & Innovation

Eleven Recruiting

Rockford (IL)

On-site

USD 180,000 - 240,000

Full time

7 days ago
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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.

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