Head of Engineering Completion & Aftermarkets Projects

Leonardo Helicopters; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Leonardo Helicopters seeks a Head of Engineering Completion & Aftermarket Projects to lead end‑to‑end design, development, and airworthiness activities for aircraft projects. You will coordinate with engineering, airworthiness, customer support, sales, and program management to define priorities and ensure on‑time, cost‑effective outcomes.

This role interfaces with regulatory authorities (ODA/FAA, TCCA) and leads agile teams capable of supporting production and aftermarket needs, including cert

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 15+ years in aeronautical/aerospace engineering and operations.
• 7+ years of project management experience with multidisciplinary teams.
• 7+ years specific P145 engineering experience, STC certification familiarity with ODA/FAA.

Responsibilities

• Lead LH US P21 and P145 engineering teams and related projects; approve designs and docs.
• Plan, forecast workload, and budget; produce plans for Engineering tasks supporting production and completions.
• Align planning and solutions between LH US and LH Engineering; ensure on‑time, on‑cost deliverables.
• Drive P145 completions and modifications to meet schedule targets.
• Provide engineering support to Customer Support, Procurement, Programs, Contracts, Marketing/Sales, Proposals, Training & Legal.
• Coordinate STC suppliers and TC changes with FAA/TCCA to minimize aircraft lay‑up impact.
• Support design changes for AWPC contracts or Vergiate collaborations as needed.
• Provide KPI data per company requirements.

Skills

P145 engineering

STC certification

FAA regulations

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering

Master’s degree in aerospace engineering

Tools

ITAR clearance

Job description

Summary of Position

The Head of Engineering Completion & Aftermarket Projects is a senior engineering leader responsible for end-to-end coordination and delivery of design, development, and airworthiness activities for assigned aircraft projects, with full accountability for technical integration at the aircraft level. Operating within a matrix organization, the role aligns global and local technical disciplines to ensure efficient planning, resource allocation, and high-quality, on-time, and cost‑effective engineering outcomes.

This position serves as the central integrator across engineering, airworthiness, customer support, sales, and program management, driving certification strategies regarding STCs and identifying customer‑focused opportunities. The role partners closely with Chief Project Engineers and technical governance teams to define project priorities, workload distribution, and make‑or‑buy strategies, while optimizing collaboration between Design Organization and Part 145 to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

Additionally, the Head of Engineering Completion & Aftermarket Projects oversees budget planning, KPI performance, and adherence to engineering processes and tools, while supporting organizational goals such as achieving ODA status. Acting as a primary interface with regulatory authorities such as the ODA/FAA and TCCA, the role ensures compliance, certification success, and continued operational safety. The position also leads the development of agile engineering teams capable of supporting production and customization needs, ensuring responsiveness to final assembly line demands and aftermarket projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsibility for management of P21 and P145 Engineering teams and related projects at LH US, approving design and other documentation used in support of engineering activities. (20%)
• Responsible for detail planning (including competencies), workload forecast and budgeting; produce and maintain plans for all Engineering tasks, and flow down tasks to team members in support of Production build and Completions activities. (15%)
• Ensure fully aligned planning and common design/technical solutions between LH US and LH Engineering departments, holding regular reviews with LH teams to guarantee on‑quality, on‑time and on‑cost engineering deliverables; works with all involved functions to ensure integration of engineering activities within a fully integrated plan. (10%)
• Drive Engineering activities in P145 team to ensure delivery of Completions, Modifications and Repairs meet required timescales and capability. (10%)
• Be the point of contact for providing engineering assistance to other departments: Customer Support, Procurement, Programs, Contracts, Marketing/Sales, Proposals, Training & Legal. (10%)
• Coordinate both STC suppliers and the TC changes needed to obtain the minimum impact on aircraft lay‑up as primary interface with local authorities (FAA and TCCA) for main certification projects for STCs, TCs and Foreign Validation. (15%)
• Ensure prompt engineering support (Structure Systems, Airframe Systems and Electro‑Avionic) to P145 shop (or P21 if applicable) needs in terms of design changes; optimize the design aspect of customization based on AWPC contracts or in support of Vergiate when required. (5%)
• Provide support to customers and suppliers as required in support of Engineering issues. (10%)
• Responsible for providing KPIs in accordance with Company requirements. (5%)

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in aerospace engineering preferred, MBA a plus.
• Experience:
  • 15 years of engineering experience in aeronautical/aerospace technical and operations environment.
  • Minimum of 7 years of project management experience, managing multidisciplinary activities, including planning and budgeting consolidation and execution.
  • Minimum of 7 years of specific experience in P145 engineering, with demonstrated knowledge in STC certification processes and interfacing with ODA/FAA.
• Competencies and Attributes:
  • Deep knowledge of P145 design and certification processes, the design and manufacturing of helicopter systems.
  • Planning and project management experience.
  • Budgeting, cost and business planning.
  • Deep knowledge of aircraft certification processes together with FAA regulations Part 27 and 29, STC.
  • Decision making and communications skills; teamwork and cross‑functional attitude.
  • Ability to work in a team and leadership; product improvement and customer oriented.
• Licensure/Certification: ITAR clearance.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disability.