Director, Mechanical and Flight Systems Engineering

What we do: 

At Supernal, we are working on new eVTOL technology to make the world a better place with Urban Air Mobility (UAM). The Director, Mechanical and Flight Systems Engineering (M&FS) is responsible for guiding the development and certification of innovative dynamic systems (rotors, gearboxes), airframe, materials & processes, avionics, actuation, landing gear, cockpit controls, and interiors designs to achieve functional and performance requirements. The department supports the complete life cycle of associated components: requirements, concept development, engineering integration, prelim and final design and analysis, manufacturing start-up, testing, qualification, certification, production and in-service support. The role works with team members across Supernal and externally on cutting edge technologies including rotor design, composite manufacturing, and advanced structural analysis to meet safety, quality, cost, schedule, and people goals. Our ideal candidate has significant experience and expertise in FAA certificated development programs. This role will report to the CTO.

What you can do:

Program Support

• Guide development, implementation, and certification of dynamic systems (rotor, gearbox), airframe, flight systems, and interiors components for all Supernal prototype/proof-of-concept and production programs
• Ensure the structural integrity of the rotors and airframe through appropriate analysis and test
• Ensure appropriate requirements development and validation and supplier selection and coordination for flight systems including avionics, actuation, inceptors, and landing gear
• Ensure all U/X and interior design requirements are engineered into the aircraft interior and certifiable
• Ensure materials and process selection, documentation, qualification, and execution practices meet acceptable standards and provide competitive advantage
• Plan and assign project responsibilities across the M&FS organization and ensure plans are integrated with other organizations across the company and partners
• Guide development of program M&FS requirements and supervise validation and verification
• Develop and manage schedule, budget, work scope, and risk by aligning resources to balance program needs for multiple programs in parallel
• Collaborate closely with “upstream” (Flight Tech, Product) and “downstream” (Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Certification) internal stakeholders and suppliers to execute M&FS program work statement through all phases: requirements & concept development, engineering integration & design, manufacturing, testing, qualification, certification & production
• Establish and implement M&FS product development workflows and deploy from conceptual design to first article production.
• Maintain effective communication with the leadership team, internal departments, suppliers, and customers concerning technical issues affecting the program

Strategy

• Define strategic direction for M&FS including staffing, make/buy, and technology decisions
• Guide selection and development of new manufacturing technologies, engineering tools, and aircraft structural designs
• Collaborate to provide needs for and guide “building block”-based development of next generation materials and manufacturing methods to support very high-rate production vehicles, aligned to the needs of the aircraft and business
• Ensure that the Technical and Manufacturing Readiness (TRL/MRL) of strategic technologies meet M&FS needs
• Identify and review opportunities for developing and/or acquiring new technologies required to improve safety, reliability, performance, and cost, including via collaborations with external research organizations as appropriate
• Establish strategies for testing to define and validate methods, material properties, and simulation techniques

Team Development

• Build high-performing, cohesive teams in Dynamic Systems, Airframe, M&P, Flight Systems, and Interiors Design, Analysis, and Test
• Provide infrastructure, support and awareness of resources to entire M&FS Team
• Create and execute strategies for coaching, mentoring, and developing the M&FS Engineering function across Supernal, including training
• Meet company goals for diversity, equity and inclusion
• Hire experienced, yet forward-thinking team members
• Provide subject matter expertise (SME) to M&FS team

Functional Excellence

• Establish culture of quality and safety within M&FS function, including by creating and managing metrics for engineering performance and quality; prioritize Safety Above All
• Develop and maintain analysis and design criteria, standards, policies and procedures for all Supernal teams doing M&FS engineering, acknowledging and accommodating the different design drivers and certification approaches
• Implement Supernal Part Classification consistently across teams

Collaboration

• Facilitate collaboration with internal stakeholders at all levels of the organization as well as Hyundai Motor Group companies, suppliers, regulatory agencies, other governmental agencies, research institutions, and industry representatives as needed
• Represent M&FS at external and investor events
• Coordinate and communicate regularly with team members in Supernal to provide and receive updates on project progress, quality metrics, project summaries, and other related information.
• May require up to 10% of domestic and international travel

What you can contribute:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical, Aerospace, Aeronautical or equivalent disciplines.
• 15+ years of experience working with fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft concept development, product design and analysis, test, certification, production, and in-service support, preferably FAA Part 23/25/27/29 programs
• 10+ years of experience with composite design, analysis and production
• Familiarity with aviation industry groups (e.g., CMH17, ASTM F44, RTCA) is desired.
• Experience with implementation of new material and manufacturing techniques for FAA acceptance
• Experience working closely with multi-disciplinary teams of leaders to ensure the best quality decisions are made for the team as a whole
• Ability to distill high level goals and constraints into clear, concise, and actionable objectives is a must
• Experience with aerospace development program planning, budgeting, technology road-mapping, cross-functional collaboration, multi-disciplinary team leadership, functional excellence responsibilities, and multi-site organizational leadership experience is desired
• Ability to build productive relationships quickly and effectively with internal and external leaders
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proactive delivery of communication and follow-up
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Must have the ability to independently prioritize and accomplish work within time constraints
• Self-motivated and forward-thinking personality