Lead Engineer, PLM Architecture & Digital Tools

Supernal; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Supernal seeks a Lead Engineer for PLM Architecture & Digital Tools to manage the engineering digital thread and PLM system across product development. You will lead the integration of CAD/CAE, simulation, and program management while collaborating with IT and operations to ensure a scalable, secure platform.

The role requires 8+ years in aerospace digital tools leadership, strong PLM/CAD expertise, and experience with Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE; supervisory responsibilities may grow into leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or IT required; advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of aerospace experience leading digital tools engineering activities.
• Extensive understanding of modern PLM/CAD systems.
• Experience with Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE systems.
• Experience purchasing these systems and their licensing models.
• Experience leading teams.
• Experience with project management and tools/methodologies.
• Experience with aircraft development programs.
• Familiarity with business cases and investment justification.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent listening and comprehension skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to independently prioritize and complete work within time constraints.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Stand up and manage the PLM system and all digital toolsets for product development (CAD, CAE, Simulation, Program Management, Requirements).
• Evaluate integration of these tools with downstream digital tools to enable full digital thread.
• Assess connected factory/Industry 4.0 digital tools and advise on benefits and technologies.
• Integrate with IT to ensure a stable, secure platform.
• Administer software licenses, including FlexNet, RLM, and DSLS.
• Administer databases such as MSSQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB.
• Install and administer engineering apps on Windows and Ubuntu servers.
• Develop elastic server architecture to scale with demand.
• Translate PLM requirements into scalable architectures and guide customizations.

Skills

Aerospace experience

Team leadership

Project management

Excellent communication skills

Analytical problem-solving

Integrity and professionalism

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/IT

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE

IBM DOORS Next

MS SQL Server

PostgreSQL

MySQL/MariaDB

FlexNet/RLM license managers

Linux (Ubuntu)

Job description

Lead Engineer, PLM Architecture & Digital Tools

Irvine, CA

Rise above. Are you ready to take human possibility to a new dimension with us?

Supernal is an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company that’s developing an electric vertical take‑off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle and the ground‑to‑air ecosystem to support the emerging industry. By creating a sustainable, integrated, and human‑centered ecosystem, we are committed to taking a thoughtful and responsible approach to entering the AAM market with a product that meets the high level of safety and reliability in today’s air transportation system.

The future of mobility starts with people. We believe in creative thinking and collaboration to help build a better mobility experience for everyone, improving people’s ability to move – whether for work or play. Join our dynamic team as we strive to be a part of something greater where potential powers tomorrow!

Supernal provides an inviting open‑space workplace designed to foster collaboration, which aligns with one of our core values. This position is required to work on‑site 5 days a week.

What we do:

Supernal is looking for an experienced engineer to manage the engineering/development team by overseeing all digital tools. As a part of Systems Engineering, Integration & Test team, the Lead, PLM Architecture & Digital Tools Engineer will ensure all the engineering digital systems are integrated, connected, modern, and positioned to enable a full digital thread throughout the value stream of the product. This role will incubate many of the technologies to be leveraged in the future production system and will interface often with the operations and IT teams to ensure the future production systems are able to leverage the engineering digital data to enable that fully connected vision of the future.

What you can do:

• Responsible for standing up and managing the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system and all associated digital toolsets required for product development. This includes, but is not limited to, CAD, CAE, Simulation, Program Management, and Requirements Management
• Evaluating the integration of these tools with the downstream digital tools used by operations and ensuring a digital backbone is in place that can enable the full digital thread
• Evaluate connected factory/industry 4.0 digital tools and inform operations team of potential benefits and technologies to use
• Integrate seamlessly with IT to ensure a stable, secure, and reliable platform is stood up
• Administer engineering software license infrastructure, including installation, configuration, and support of license managers such as FlexNet, RLM, and Dassault Systèmes DSLS.
• Administer databases such as Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL), PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB
• Install and administer engineering applications on Windows and Linux (Ubuntu) servers
• Develop elastic server architecture that can scale up along with the demand
• Deep understanding of the 3DEXPERIENCE data model, core capabilities and guide the team in meeting the business goals using the out‑of‑the‑box features and functionalities
• Architect and manage the 3DEXPERIENCE security model to enable a collaborative product development environment while protecting intellectual property, enforcing appropriate access controls, and supporting export compliance requirements.
• Translate PLM business requirements into scalable solution architectures, collaborate with external developers to define and implement customizations, and ensure delivered solutions support business objectives and user needs
• Administer enterprise engineering applications, including Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE and IBM DOORS Next, to ensure reliable performance, effective configuration, and alignment with product development needs.
• Plan budget to manage and maintain digital tool landscape based on license utilization, emerging business needs and phase of the program
• Negotiate with key software vendors, optimize the license mix to maximize value
• Actively mentor colleagues, train in troubleshooting techniques and guiding them through the complexities of aerospace‑specific data hierarchies and security protocols
• This position may eventually broaden to a leadership position in or outside of the engineering organization

What you can contribute:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering or IT field is required; advanced degree preferred
• A minimum of eight (8) years of aerospace experience leading digital tools engineering activities
• Must have extensive understanding of modern PLM/CAD systems
• Experience with Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE systems
• Experience with purchasing these types of systems and their licensing models
• Experience leading teams
• Experience with project management and tools/methodologies
• Experience with aircraft development programs
• Familiarity with running business cases and justifying investments
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent listening and comprehension skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Must have the ability to independently prioritize and accomplish work within time constraints
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality

Base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job‑related knowledge and location. This position is also eligible for a bonus as part of total compensation.

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background check. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other category or class protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation at: [e-mail]

This position may include access to certain technology and/or software source code subject to U.S. export controls laws and regulations. If an export authorization from an applicable US regulatory agency is required in connection with your employment, your employment is contingent upon Supernal’s receipt of such regulatory authorization(s) and your continued compliance with all conditions and limitations pursuant to such authorization(s).