About the job Engineering Manager – Electrical New Product Dev (Aerospace & Defense Leader)
Engineering Manager – Electrical New Product Development (Confidential Aerospace & Defense Leader)
Rochester, NY | Mission-Critical Communications Systems
The Opportunity
We are partnering with a leading aerospace and defense innovator to identify an Engineering Manager – Electrical New Product Development to lead cutting-edge programs within advanced tactical communications systems.
This is a high-impact leadership role where you will drive new product development (NPD) while overseeing engineering execution across complex, multi-disciplinary systems.
If you're a leader who thrives at the intersection of innovation, execution, and technical depth, this is your opportunity to shape next-generation communication technologies.
Why This Role Stands Out
- New Product Ownership: Lead electrical engineering for next-gen product development and legacy sustainment
- People + Program Leadership: Manage and develop a team of engineers while owning delivery outcomes
- Cross-Disciplinary Impact: Influence RF, digital, FPGA, embedded, and mechanical integration
- Defense Innovation: Work on mission-critical systems with real-world global impact
Engineering in a Modern, Digital & AI-Enabled Environment
This organization is advancing engineering through:
- Model-based and systems-driven product development
- Integration of data-driven design, testing, and validation
- Use of structured frameworks like EVM, requirements management, and configuration control
- Continuous improvement across design for manufacturability (DFX) and lifecycle performance
You'll operate in an environment where:
- Engineering decisions balance performance, cost, and schedule
- Innovation is aligned to real-world operational demands
- Teams are empowered to deliver complex systems at scale
What You'll Own
- Lead electrical engineering for new product development programs
- Manage a team of 7+ engineers and technical contributors
- Own project planning, budgeting, scheduling, and execution
- Develop ROM/BOE estimates and manage financial performance
- Drive requirements management, technical baselines, and risk analysis
- Oversee design, integration, testing, and product lifecycle support
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Collaborate across disciplines:
- RF
- Digital / FPGA
- Embedded systems
- Mechanical engineering
- Support new product introduction (NPI) into manufacturing and operations
- Partner with leadership to deliver cost, quality, and performance improvements
What You Bring
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
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7–10+ years of experience in:
- Electrical engineering and/or product development environments
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2+ years of experience in:
- Engineering leadership or project management
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Proven experience in:
- New product development (RF, digital, PWBA, or similar)
- Managing technical teams and complex engineering programs
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Strong knowledge of:
- Requirements management
- Cost/schedule tradeoffs
- Technical risk assessment
Preferred Profile
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Experience with:
- EVM (Earned Value Management)
- DOORS or requirements management tools
- Agile/configuration management systems
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Familiarity with:
- INCOSE V-model development frameworks
- Test equipment (spectrum analyzers, signal analyzers, etc.)
- Background in defense, communications, or complex embedded systems
Environment & Expectations
- Location: Rochester, NY
- Work Schedule: 9/80 (every other Friday off)
- Travel: Minimal
- Ability to obtain U.S. Security Clearance required
Why Partner With Us
At Northwest Talent Solutions, we specialize in placing engineering leaders driving innovation and transformation.
- We leverage AI-enabled sourcing and talent intelligence to identify top-tier engineering talent
- Deep expertise across aerospace, defense, and advanced engineering ecosystems
- We provide a high-touch, confidential search experience
This is not a job board process.
This is a targeted search for leaders shaping the future of technology.
Interested?
If you're ready to lead new product innovation in mission-critical systems, we'd love to connect.