Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering Manager

We develop mission-critical high-altitude balloon systems that operate in demanding real-world environments and integrate mechanical, structural, aerodynamic, thermal, and flight-critical technologies into operational platforms. Aerostar, a business unit of TCOM, is seeking a **Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering Manager** to lead the technical execution and strategic direction of our mechanical and aerospace engineering efforts. This role combines engineering leadership, technical oversight, and organizational coordination. You will lead a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for the design, analysis, integration, testing, and sustainment of aerospace structures and mechanical systems across the full product lifecycle. The ideal candidate brings a strong engineering foundation, sound technical judgment, and the ability to align engineering execution with program priorities and long-term business strategy. This role requires someone who can lead both technically and organizationally: driving system-level engineering decisions, managing engineering execution, and ensuring teams deliver high-quality solutions on schedule. You will work closely with systems engineering, manufacturing, software, electrical engineering, flight operations, and program management to ensure successful delivery of reliable, maintainable, and mission-ready systems. **What You’ll Do:** - Provide technical leadership and vision for mechanical and aerospace system design across multiple programs - Lead and manage mechanical and aerospace engineering resources, including project planning, staffing, prioritization, execution tracking, and technical coordination - Develop project estimates, resource plans, schedules, and progress reporting to support program execution and organizational planning - Support program execution through cost, schedule, technical, and risk oversight - Guide the development of mechanical architecture, structural designs, aerodynamic concepts, and system integration approaches - Oversee engineering activities related to structural analysis, thermal analysis, environmental considerations, and mechanical performance - Prepare and present technical materials for major program reviews, including Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs) and Critical Design Reviews (CDRs) - Collaborate with manufacturing, test engineering, and operations teams to ensure designs are producible, testable, maintainable, and operationally effective - Oversee the integration, testing, analysis, and documentation of mechanical and aerospace systems - Serve as a technical interface to customers for mechanical and aerospace engineering-related program activities - Analyze existing systems and recommend improvements, enhancements, and modernization strategies - Build relationships with external partners, suppliers, and technology providers to strengthen strategic capabilities **What We’re Looking For:** You are an experienced engineering leader with a strong technical background and the ability to lead complex engineering efforts from concept through operational deployment. You have experience developing aerospace or mechanical systems for demanding operational environments and can guide teams through challenging technical and programmatic problems. You are comfortable balancing technical leadership with project execution responsibilities, including planning, estimation, staffing, prioritization, progress tracking, and customer communication. You can operate effectively at both strategic and tactical levels, helping define long-term technical direction while ensuring day-to-day engineering execution remains on track. You communicate effectively with engineers, program leadership, customers, manufacturers, and operations personnel and can clearly present complex technical concepts during program reviews and customer engagements. A strong engineering background is required. Experience or education in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or related technical…