Director of Engineering

Job Description:

The primary mission of the Director of Engineering is to ensure technical governance and compliance with standards (HSE, business rules, certification requirements), guarantee program performance (compliance with budgets and deliverable compliance), drive digital transformation, and develop engineering skills, all while demonstrating strategic acumen and high emotional intelligence to unite teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Governance and Compliance: Ensure compliance with Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) standards, business rules, technical and certification requirements. Guarantee technical consistency, harmonization of methods and tools, and tracking of departmental processes.
• Performance Management: Ensure compliance with program budgets and schedules. Guarantee the conformity of engineering deliverables (definition, technical solutions, certification reports) and manage deviation processing. Define, jointly with Quality, action plans to guarantee the airworthiness of delivered products out of definition.
• Transformation and Continuous Improvement: Drive digital transformation and the integration of new engineering tools (Industry 4.0). Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing quality.
• Program Support and R&D: Produce impact analyses to support change requests (internal and external) and associated definition changes. Support activities related to tenders and R&D for the Canadian subsidiary. Develop and validate test plans with laboratories.
• Skill Development: Define recruitment and subcontracting utilization strategies. Implement a training program to develop technical engineering skills in line with strategic needs.
• Collaboration and Visibility: Promote an inclusive work environment and foster talent retention. Work closely with the Manufacturing, Quality, Methods, and Procurement departments. Provide visibility to upper management and the program (technical summaries, progress status, risks and opportunities). Support global Airbus sustainability initiatives.

Profile Sought

The profile sought for the position of Director of Engineering requires a blend of technical expertise, significant experience, and strong leadership skills.

Education and Experience

• Holder of a bachelor's or master's degree in mechanical or aeronautical engineering (or equivalent)
• Member in good standing of the Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ).
• Equivalent experience of 15 years in similar functions and in the aeronautical sector.

Technical Knowledge and Tools

• Mastery of aeronautical design processes and methods (including those of AIRBUS Atlantic, BOMBARDIER, and AIRBUS Canada).
• In-depth knowledge of stress analysis and certification of primary and secondary structures and systems installations.
• Knowledge of airworthiness requirements (TCCA, FAA, EASA) and configuration management rules.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, manufacturing requirements, and consideration of part and assembly tolerancing.
• Mastery of computer-aided design (CAD) and product lifecycle management (PLM) tools, such as Catia V5/V6, 3DExperience, or Enovia.

Skills and Leadership

• Very advanced bilingualism (English/French, verbal and written) and good communication skills.
• Strategic mindset, strongly results-oriented, and pronounced business sense (ability to analyze decision-making impacts).
• Strong change management skills and mastery of continuous improvement principles.
• Ability to think and intervene in a matrix environment (stakeholders, suppliers, clients, plants across multiple continents).
• Manifest leadership, high emotional intelligence, and ability to inspire and motivate highly qualified engineering teams.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage unforeseen situations with calm and responsiveness, and unite beyond the hierarchical link.

This job requires knowledge of potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the basis for the company's success, reputation, and sustainable growth.

At Airbus, we help you work, connect, and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we encourage flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.