Manager, Mechanical Engineering - Flight Support Equipment

Pace Industries, LLC; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 145,561 - 200,145; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) with 150% match up to 6%

Life insurance

3 weeks of paid time off

Job summary

Pace Industries, LLC in Louisville, Kentucky seeks a Manager of Flight Support Equipment (FSE) to lead the lifecycle management of Mechanical Ground Support Equipment. This role entails oversight of design, procurement, fabrication, and testing of flight support equipment.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and over 6 years of relevant experience. Leadership skills and proficiency in CAD are essential, along with a proven ability to manage projects and cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of relevant experience in equipment design and development.
• Proven track record in procurement, testing, and project management.
• Operational experience in dynamic production environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and management of MGSE.
• Manage a team of 8 engineers and monitor project performance.
• Oversee design, development, and engineering analysis of support equipment.

Skills

Analytical abilities

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Leadership

CAD software proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

PLM

ERP

MES

Job description

About the Role

The Manager of Flight Support Equipment (FSE) is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and management related to Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) and tooling throughout their lifecycle. This role encompasses design, procurement, fabrication, testing, validation, deployment, and long‑term maintenance of flight support equipment. The position requires a strong leader with extensive technical, managerial, and operational expertise who can oversee cross‑functional teams and ensure alignment with organizational goals and industry standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Leadership
  • Develop and help implement command media policies, processes, and lifecycle concepts of operations.
  • Foster relationships with program managers, cross‑functional teams, and customer representatives.
  • Translate strategy into operational processes, recommending changes that impact the sector.
• Team Management
  • Lead, manage, and mentor a team of approximately 8 engineers, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
  • Proactively monitor team project performance to maintain technical, schedule, and cost baselines.
  • Facilitate resource forecasting and team performance metrics.
  • Translate functional plans into operational plans; identify and execute operational initiatives.
• Design, Development & Integration
  • Oversee the design, development, and engineering analysis (e.g., FEA, CAD modeling) of support equipment.
  • Ensure proper interfaces between units under test and test equipment (e.g., vibration fixtures, thermal chambers, electrical integration).
  • Ensure alignment and integration across functional areas, including assembly tooling, test operations, ground operations, production operations, and sustaining engineering.
• Procurement & Supplier Management
  • Manage the end‑to‑end procurement process, including RFPs, bid evaluations, contract negotiations, and vendor oversight.
  • Collaborate with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of equipment that meets specifications and quality standards.
• Fabrication & Manufacturing Support
  • Oversee prototyping, fabrication, assembly, and integration of MGSE and tooling.
  • Support internal and external manufacturing teams to resolve production issues and optimize processes.
• Validation, Testing & Certification
  • Direct the testing, validation, and certification of support equipment to ensure compliance with regulatory and industry standards (e.g., OSHA, FAA, AS9100).
  • Develop and implement rigorous validation protocols.
• Lifecycle Management & Maintenance
  • Manage the lifecycle of all equipment, including upgrades, modifications, maintenance, and calibration.
  • Identify opportunities for continuous improvement to enhance performance, reliability, and cost‑efficiency.
• Budgeting & Reporting
  • Report on equipment schedules, costs, and technical status to senior management.
  • Contribute to financial planning and decision‑making processes.
• Compliance & Risk Management
  • Identify and mitigate risks, ensuring adherence to internal policies and external regulatory standards.
  • Drive compliance with safety protocols and industry best practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field with 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Proven track record in equipment design, development, procurement, testing, and project management.
• Outstanding analytical abilities and creative problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross‑functional teams and stakeholders.
• Advanced command of CAD software and engineering analysis tools.
• Strong technical expertise in mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
• Proven ability to lead and manage multi‑functional teams, large‑scale projects, and cross‑organizational initiatives.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets and resources.
• Proficiency in enterprise applications (e.g., PLM, ERP, MES) and data analysis tools.
• Operational or hands‑on experience in fast‑paced dynamic production or operations environment.
• Experience designing, testing, and/or operating ground support equipment (GSE) / tooling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• Extensive experience in aerospace or aviation manufacturing environments.
• Expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma methodologies, and process optimization.

Compensation

Pay Range: $145,561.00 - $200,145.25. Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related knowledge and skills, education, experience, internal equity and market competitiveness.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%.
• Life insurance.
• 3 weeks of paid time off.
• And more.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Sierra Space Corporation is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need special assistance or a reasonable accommodation related to applying for employment with Sierra Space or at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.