Principal/Lead Systems Engineer - VA BEACH
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Summary
Lead the design engineering process for Beaufort's Aircrew Flight Equipment — specialized military survival products — in Virginia Beach. The role covers aerospace mechanical design, system-level integration, FEA, aviation product certification, and standing up/mentoring a junior design engineering team.
Principal / Lead Systems Engineer
Job Family – Engineering
This family is responsible for creating everything from the initial concept to the final design of our products. They develop ideas for new products and prototypes, as well as evolving the design details of established ranges. They deeply understand the safety needs of our customers and deliver innovation that captures our design strategy and brand values. They integrate innovative functional solutions with world-class creativity to support Beaufort’s vision to become the most trusted provider of survival technology.
Job Summary
As a Principal Engineer, you will manage the design engineering process for a highly specialized Beaufort product set, namely Aircrew Flight Equipment for military applications. Your expertise will be crucial in advancing product innovation, ensuring our products meet stringent safety standards and commercial objectives. This role requires a deep understanding of aerospace mechanical engineering and an active involvement in developing our junior engineers whilst standing up and leading a Design Engineering team.
Key responsibilities and accountabilities
- Provide top-tier design engineering expertise within contract terms or service level agreements, including planning, coordinating, and supervising major contracts.
- Identify and implement improvements to existing product designs, develop and deliver product roadmap changes, and new product developments within Beaufort's NPD and change management process.
- Manage the knowledge management system, contributing to its development and ensuring effective knowledge sharing.
- Address emerging design, quality, safety, and operational issues, identifying causes, barriers, stakeholders, and related issues.
- Develop procedures and interpret regulatory requirements to ensure product compliance and best practice, monitoring the commercial success of product developments.
- Analyze the feasibility of proposed complex products and services, making recommendations for development, replacement, or retirement.
- Oversee a portfolio of change projects, reporting progress to senior colleagues.
- Recommend improvements to policies, processes, standards, and practices.
- Evaluate and identify solutions that best meet business and customer needs.
- Engage in continuous professional development, maintaining a deep understanding of technology, regulations, and industry best practices.
Experience, Qualifications and Skills
Essential Criteria:
- Extensive engineering experience within the aerospace industry.
- Experience with system-level integration, finite element analysis, and strong mechanical skills.
- Experience with product certification for aviation applications (Military or Federal regulations).
- Background and knowledge in materials science.
- People management / supervisory experience – at least 2-5 years in an Engineering Lead / Middle Management role
- BEng/MEng/BSc/MSc in Engineering, preferably mechanical or aerospace engineering.
- At least 5-10 years Engineering experience in industry.
Desirable:
- Professional / Chartered Engineer status.
- Experience in product safety.
- Knowledge and experience of inflatable / pressure vessel type products.
- Knowledge and experience of coated textiles / films manufacturing joining processes (e.g. high frequency and ultrasonic welding).
Values
Drive
We are driven by powerful passion. We take bold action and live our purpose with unwavering commitment.
Collaboration
We break down silos, and bring our talents together, to realize our ambitions with collective strength and accountability.
Innovation
We have a pioneering spirit to push the boundaries and create value by challenging convention and always improving.
Resolve
We are agile, proactive problem solvers who anticipate change and transform challenges into opportunities.