Supernal Engineering Headquarters in Irvine, California
Sr. Director, Engineering Product Transition
Irvine, CA
Rise above. Are you ready to take human possibility to a new dimension with us?
Supernal is an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company that’s developing an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle and the ground-to-air ecosystem to support the emerging industry. By creating a sustainable, integrated, and human-centered ecosystem, we are committed to taking a thoughtful and responsible approach to entering the AAM market with a product that meets the high level of safety and reliability in today’s air transportation system.
The future of mobility starts with people. We believe in creative thinking and collaboration to help build a better mobility experience for everyone, improving people’s ability to move – whether for work or play. Join our dynamic team as we strive to be a part of something greater where potential powers tomorrow!
Supernal provides an inviting open-space workplace designed to foster collaboration, which aligns with one of our core values. This position is required to work on-site 5 days a week.
What we do:
We are seeking a Sr. Director, Engineering Product Transition, to lead cross-functional initiatives that bridge our engineering development and operational deployment strategies. This pivotal role will drive the company’s operational excellence across all facets of production, certification, and project management to ensure that our aircraft and supporting systems are designed with operational efficiency, safety, and scalability at their core, while meeting certification requirements and business objectives.
What you can do:
- Lead the company's operational strategy and day-to-day operations, with a focus on scaling production, managing program timelines, and optimizing operational performance
- Develop and implement integration strategies that align engineering design decisions with operational requirements and business goals
- Direct the production efforts to ensure high-quality, cost-effective, and on-time delivery of prototype and conforming eVTOL aircraft
- Lead the development and execution of long-term strategies to improve manufacturing, assembly, and testing processes
- Collaborate closely with multiple cross-functional teams, including engineering, quality and test & evaluation team ensuring that type design and the production certification milestones are met
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory and certification bodies (e.g., FAA, EASA) during all stages of aircraft development and production
- Act as the key liaison with certification authorities, driving the successful completion of certification processes for new aircraft models
- Develop and optimize the company’s supply chain, procurement and logistics strategy, ensuring the timely and cost-efficient procurement of materials and components required for aircraft development and production
- Oversee vendor relationships, ensuring the highest standards of quality, cost management, and on-time delivery
- Lead the development of systems and processes that enable seamless transitions from design focused engineering to operations to produce conforming full scale flight vehicles and initial low-rate production vehicle
- Collaborate with senior leadership to define and execute the company's technical roadmap
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across engineering and operations through technical project engineering
- Bridge communication and workflow between engineering, operations, certification, and business teams
- Drive engineering and production team executions to cert deliverables
- Develop production process that will enables a future scale-up facilitate knowledge transfer between engineering and operations teams
- Oversee the development of integrated test plans, procedures, and acceptance criteria
- Lead the creation of operational frameworks that align with engineering capabilities
- Guide the development of technical requirements that balance engineering innovation with operational practicality
- Implement robust systems engineering principles across the product development lifecycle
- Stay abreast of evolving aviation regulations in the AAM/UAM space
- Build and mentor a high-performing team of integration specialists
- Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence
- Develop talent and provide growth opportunities for team members
- Promote diversity of thought and inclusive decision-making
- Ability to travel up to 10% domestically and internationally
- Other duties as assigned
What you can contribute:
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field; Master's degree preferred
- A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressive experience in complex aerospace or aviation systems, with at least twelve (12) years in leadership roles
- Demonstrated experience in systems integration for aircraft development programs
- Strong understanding of aviation type design and production certification processes (FAA, EASA, or equivalent)
- Experience in transitioning complex technical systems from technology development to production operations
Base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge and location. This position is also eligible for a bonus as part of total compensation.
Click HERE or visit: https://jobs.supernal.aero/benefits to view our benefits!
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background check. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other category or class protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation at: ta-support@supernal.aero
This position may include access to certain technology and/or software source code subject to U.S. export controls laws and regulations. If an export authorization from an applicable US regulatory agency is required in connection with your employment, your employment is contingent upon Supernal’s receipt of such regulatory authorization(s) and your continued compliance with all conditions and limitations pursuant to such authorization(s).