VP of Engineering

Eleven Recruiting; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Eleven Recruiting is searching for a VP of Engineering to join our aerospace manufacturing client onsite in Rockford, IL. This role drives strategic and technical leadership across systems, electrical, mechanical, firmware, software, and test engineering to deliver high-reliability products.

The ideal candidate will lead multidisciplinary teams, develop roadmaps, and ensure performance, quality, and compliant program execution from concept through production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of engineering experience with 7+ years in senior leadership.
• Proven success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams on complex hardware/software systems.
• Experience developing high-reliability aerospace, defense, medical, or regulated products from concept to production.
• Strong knowledge of systems engineering, requirements decomposition, verification/validation, configuration management.
• Experience with electromechanical actuation, flight controls, autopilots, or ball screw tech desirable.
• Knowledge of Agile/Jira, model-based design, digital engineering, embedded software, and system-level integration.
• Experience scaling engineering organizations and implementing modern development processes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to manage supplier relationships and cross-functional projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead all engineering disciplines and set strategic direction across product lines.
• Develop engineering roadmaps aligned with strategy and customer needs.
• Drive innovation in electromechanical actuation and ball screw tech.
• Oversee full product lifecycle from architecture to manufacturing transition.
• Establish engineering standards, documentation, and quality systems.
• Partner with Product, Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and executives.
• Ensure programs meet performance, quality, schedule, cost, and compliance.
• Build and mentor high-performing engineering teams and leaders.
• Manage budgets, resources, staffing, and organizational structure.
• Provide senior technical leadership for customer engagements and reviews.
• Promote accountability, continuous improvement, innovation, and technical excellence.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Systems engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Communication

Problem solving

Supplier management

Leadership development

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or related discipline

Tools

Agile/Jira

Model-based design

Digital engineering

Embedded software

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Eleven Recruiting is searching for a VP of Engineering to join one of our largest aerospace manufacturing clients sitting onsite in Rockford, IL.

The ideal candidate will provide strategic and technical leadership across systems, electrical, mechanical, firmware, software, and test engineering. This executive will drive innovation, operational excellence, and successful product execution from concept through production, with a focus on complex, high-reliability products.

Responsibilities

• Lead all engineering disciplines and establish strategic direction across product lines.


• Develop engineering roadmaps aligned with company strategy, customer requirements, and emerging technologies.


• Drive innovation in linear and rotary electromechanical actuation and ball screw technology.


• Oversee the full product lifecycle, including architecture, design, analysis, prototyping, verification, qualification, and transition to manufacturing.


• Establish engineering standards, best practices, documentation processes, and quality systems.


• Partner with Product Management, Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Executive Leadership.


• Ensure engineering programs meet performance, quality, schedule, cost, and compliance objectives.


• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing engineering teams and leaders.


• Manage engineering budgets, resources, staffing plans, and organizational structure.


• Provide senior technical leadership for customer engagements, proposals, technical reviews, and program strategy.


• Promote accountability, continuous improvement, innovation, and technical excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.


• 15+ years of engineering experience, including 7+ years in senior engineering leadership.


• Proven success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams developing complex hardware and software systems.


• Experience developing high-reliability aerospace, defense, medical, or other regulated products from concept through production.


• Strong knowledge of systems engineering, requirements decomposition, verification/validation, configuration management, and product development processes.


• Experience with electromechanical actuation, flight controls, autopilots, flight control computers, or ball screw technology is highly desirable.


• Knowledge of Agile/Jira, model-based design, digital engineering, embedded software, mixed-signal hardware, mechanical design, and system-level integration.


• Experience with manufacturing engineering, DFM/DFA, reliability engineering, or environmental qualification is a plus.


• Experience scaling engineering organizations and implementing modern development processes.


• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.


• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel.


• Ability to effectively manage supplier relationships and cross-functional projects.