Technical Lead, Mechanical Systems/Defense Engineering

Rolls-Royce plc; Novi (MI); Hybrid; USD 123,000 - 199,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Health savings account

Flexible spending account

401(k) with company match

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Long-term incentive plan

Job summary

Rolls-Royce plc in Novi, Michigan, is seeking a Technical Lead to manage a team of Mechanical Systems Engineers on US Defense Programs, providing technical direction and hands-on leadership across design, integration and analysis.

You will mentor 15–25 engineers, oversee staffing and delivery, and coordinate with Defense Engineering at the Novi site. A strong background in gas turbine design, Rolls-Royce standards, and cross-functional collaboration is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with 5+ years of experience or Master’s with 3+ years, or JD/PhD in Engineering with aerospace concentration.
• US Citizenship required.
• Experience in design methods and processes involving Gas Turbine engines is preferred.
• Familiarity with Rolls-Royce standards and specifications is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and personnel management to the assigned team and ensure compliance with processes throughout the life cycle activity, including performance management reviews.
• Play an active role in load/capacity planning for the assigned team and work with the wider Mechanical Systems function to ensure suitable and capable people are available to complete program deliverables.
• This includes engagement with our mature engine programs to understand their work packages and assign suitable individuals to them.
• Allocate staff to agreed work packages and lead the delivery of Novi-assigned technical activities.
• Represent Defense Engineering at the Novi site.
• Lead and drive efficiency through process review, teamwork and implementing continuous improvement and operational best practices.

Skills

Technical leadership

People management

Load/capacity planning

Defense engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering

JD/PhD in Engineering

Tools

NX

Teamcenter

Lifecycle Viewer

GD&T

Job description

Job Title: Technical Lead, Mechanical Systems/Defense Engineering

Working Pattern: Full time Working location: Novi, MI/Hybrid - 3 Office Days/Week) Relocation assistance will be provided if applicable.

Why Rolls-Royce? At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. By joining Rolls-Royce, you’ll have the opportunity to create world-class power and propulsion solutions, pushing your problem-solving and ingenuity, to deliver real impact that puts safety first. You’ll be given responsibility and the opportunity to grow in our high-performance culture. This is Infinite Potential. And it’s your chance to really shine and contribute to one of the world’s most recognized brands and a beacon for engineering excellence.

Position Summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Technical Lead to join the US Mechanical Systems team in our new Novi, Michigan site! The Novi site team provides mechanical design, integration, and stress analysis for our mature engine lines’ components and modules. As the Technical Lead you will be accountable for managing a team of 15 to 25 Mechanical Systems Engineers covering a variety of skill sets working on US Defense Programs, as well as serve as the local lead for Defense Engineering. It is an excellent opportunity to add to your people and program leadership skills and understand how to develop the capability of a team.

What you will be doing

• Provide technical leadership and personnel management to the assigned team and ensure compliance with processes throughout the life cycle activity, including performance management reviews
• Play an active role in load/capacity planning for the assigned team and work with the wider Mechanical Systems function to ensure suitable and capable people are available to complete program deliverables.
• This includes engagement with our mature engine programs to understand their work packages and assign suitable individuals to them
• Allocate staff to agreed work packages and lead the delivery of Novi-assigned technical activities
• Represent Defense Engineering at the Novi site
• Lead and drive efficiency through process review, teamwork and implementing continuous improvement and operational best practices

Basic Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, with 5+ years of experience, OR Master’s degree in Engineering, with 3+ years of experience, OR JD/PhD in Engineering with a concentration in aerospace design

In order to be considered for this opportunity, you must be a US Citizen

Preferred Requirements

• Minimum of 5+ years’ direct experience in Design methods and processes involving Gas Turbine engines
• Demonstrates sound engineering judgement showing knowledge of the Defense Customers and Programs
• Capable of building high performing teams and effecting a positive shift in attitudes and behaviors
• Functional knowledge and awareness of engineering design and integration
• Experience with Rolls-Royce standards and specifications
• Familiarity in Lifecycle Viewer, NX, and Teamcenter
• Knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), and tolerance stacks
• A deep understanding of specialist subjects and proven ability to influence key decisions
• Understanding of Intellectual Property and Export Control requirements
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to work effectively in a team environment; willingness to accept responsibility and take initiative; ability to plan and coordinate assigned work with other groups; and drive to finish assigned tasks on schedule
• An excellent command of the English language for both written and oral communications

Our vision is to ensure that the quality and dynamism that shaped our history continues into our future. It’s a bold pursuit, and we never stop striving to go further, faster, and better. We lead progress, creating the technologies that move us forward. If you’re driven to grow, to learn, and to make a lasting difference, this is where you belong.

Rolls-Royce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristics. We are committed to providing a respectful and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued and everyone can thrive.

Infinite Potential Closing Date: September 25, 2026

Pay Range Pay ranges for remote employees are based on the state where the employee resides and may vary from the posted range. $122,741 - $199,454-Annually Location: Novi, MI

Benefits

• Eligible employees may have the opportunity to enroll in other benefits, including health, dental, vision, disability, life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• a flexible spending account
• a health savings account
• a 401(k) retirement savings plan with a company match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• certain paid holidays
• paid parental and family care leave
• tuition reimbursement
• and a long-term incentive plan

The options available to an employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as date of hire, employment type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Rolls-Royce pioneers cutting-edge technologies that deliver the cleanest, safest and most competitive solutions to our planet’s vital power needs.