Senior Sub-System Manager

Smarterminds; Town of Belgium (WI); On-site; USD 102,762 - 159,853; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International exposure

Belgian social security

Medical insurance

Training budget

End-of-year bonus

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Smarterminds seeks a Senior Sub-System Manager to own end-to-end delivery of complex sub-systems. You will lead cross-functional teams, drive technical and commercial decisions, and ensure delivery aligned with QCDP objectives.

This leadership role blends engineering and project management, requiring strong stakeholder management across internal teams, suppliers, and customers, with relocation to Belgium and a hybrid work model.

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 7+ years of experience in an engineering environment in rail, aerospace, automotive, or safety-critical industries.
• Minimum 2 years in a sub-system, component, or complex operational scope management role.
• Experience with multinational companies and cross-cultural collaboration.
• Strong project management across scope, schedule, cost and risk.
• Leadership and entrepreneurship mindset with results-oriented approach.
• Ability to coordinate multi-site, multi-functional teams.
• Strong communication skills across all stakeholder levels.

Responsibilities

• Own QCDP objectives for your sub-system scope from requirements capture to contract obligations.
• Plan, monitor and control sub-system activities including scope, schedule, resources, costs, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead cross-functional coordination across Engineering, R&D, Procurement, Supply Chain, RAMS.
• Manage interfaces with integration teams and other sub-systems.
• Drive sub-system level decisions, trade-offs, and change management.
• Report sub-system status and KPIs to project leadership with transparency.
• Represent the organization to customers and external stakeholders when delegated.
• Ensure compliance with standards, ethics, EHS, railway safety and quality processes.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

Leadership

Risk management

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

IPMA Level C

Job description

As a Senior Sub-System Manager, you'll own the end-to-end delivery of one or more complex sub-systems within high or medium criticality projects. You'll lead cross-functional teams, drive technical and commercial decisions, and ensure delivery in line with Quality, Cost, Delivery and Performance (QCDP) objectives.

This is a leadership role at the intersection of engineering and project management — requiring both technical credibility and strong stakeholder management across internal teams, suppliers, and customers.

What You'll Do

Own QCDP objectives for your sub-system scope from requirements capture through to end of contractual obligations.

Plan, monitor and control sub-system activities — scope, schedule, resources, costs, risks, and opportunities.

Lead cross-functional coordination across Engineering, R&D, Procurement, Supply Chain, and RAMS teams.

Manage interfaces with integration teams, other sub-systems, and project-level functions.

Drive sub-system level decisions, trade-offs, and change management.

Report sub-system status and KPIs with full transparency to project leadership.

Represent the organization towards customers and external stakeholders when delegated by the Project Manager.

Ensure compliance with applicable standards, ethics, EHS, railway safety, and quality processes.

What We're Looking For

Master's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.

7+ years of experience in an engineering environment, preferably in rail, aerospace, automotive, or other safety-critical industries.

Minimum 2 years of experience in a sub-system, component, or complex operational scope management role.

Experience working in and with multinational companies across different business cultures.

Strong project management skills — scope, schedule, cost, and risk management.

Leadership and entrepreneurship mindset with a results-oriented approach.

Ability to coordinate and align multi-site, multi-functional teams.

Strong communication skills — able to manage stakeholders at all levels.

IPMA Level C or equivalent certification is a plus.

Fluency in English in mandatory; Fluency in also French is preferable.

You must be based in Europe and be willing to relocate to Belgium.

What We Offer

International exposure with major world class projects.

Competitive salary with full Belgian social security benefits.

Medical insurance + extra DKV global coverage.

High quality of life: top healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Hybrid work model with flexible working hours according to project needs.

Training budget for certifications & continuous skill development.

Modern, supportive leadership focused on growth and autonomy.

End-of-year bonus tied to company success.