Product Development Manager - Training & Technical (Aerospace & Defense)

Role Overview

The Product Development Manager will lead industry-oriented training and enablement programs aimed at developing the next generation of engineers in product design and development. This role blends hands-on mentorship, technical leadership, and applied learning, guiding early-career engineers through the complete product development lifecycle from concept to prototype.

The manager will design and deliver project-based training modules integrating simulation-driven design, optimization, PLM systems, and Six Sigma methodologies, ensuring participants gain both theoretical knowledge and practical, industry-ready skills. The role will also drive the development of pilot or prototype projects that simulate real-world product development challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor early-career engineers through end-to-end product development projects, emphasizing applied learning and innovation.
• Design and deliver structured training programs covering the full product lifecycle including concept design, simulation, optimization, prototyping, and validation.
• Facilitate hands-on workshops and masterclasses on PLM, Design of Experiments (DOE), sensitivity analysis, PIDO, and simulation data management.
• Coach engineering teams on integrating simulation workflows within PLM environments for better collaboration, traceability, and performance improvement.
• Drive technical enablement initiatives by developing learning paths and project templates aligned with industry standards and organizational goals.
• Supervise prototype projects, ensuring participants apply engineering principles, digital tools, and data-driven methodologies effectively.
• Collaborate with academic partners, industry mentors, and internal stakeholders to continuously evolve the training curriculum in line with emerging technologies and market trends.
• Measure and report on training outcomes, participant progress, and competency development to ensure continuous improvement and ROI.

Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Mechatronics Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience in product development, lifecycle management, optimization, or simulation-led engineering, ideally within the Aerospace & Defense sector.
• Proven experience in mentoring or training engineering teams, with a focus on applied, project-based learning.
• Strong understanding of PLM systems (Teamcenter, Windchill) and simulation-driven workflows.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and facilitation skills, with a passion for developing technical talent and fostering innovation.
• Ability to travel domestically up to 25% of the time.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience in designing or managing graduate enablement programs or technical training academies.
• Exposure to industry-academia collaboration projects or innovation challenges.
• Ability to translate complex engineering principles into accessible, experiential learning formats.

Apply now!