GSE & Tools Customer Solutions Manager

Airbus • Herndon, VA

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

A great opportunity as a GSE (Ground Support Equipment) & Tools Innovation and Business Development (m/f) has arisen within Airbus Commercial Engineering & Maintenance, Customer Services Organization. The GSE Business is today shy of 200M$ revenue per year and is growing fast. New technologies, such as electrification, automation, additive manufacturing, augmented reality, IoT, artificial intelligence … are guiding our design developments in order to decrease manufacturing lead time, improve ergonomy and offer to the end Customers the best user experience. You will be integrated within the GSE & Tools Engineering Department, in charge of developing, qualifying and documenting the toolings to support Airlines and MROs (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) organisations in performing inspection and maintenance tasks on Airbus aircraft. You will be joining a team of 50 people, plus another #100 in various other correlated functions. The jobholder reports to the HO Program & Engineering, Fleet Efficiency & Engineering, Airbus Americas Customer Services Inc, and operationally to the HO Customer Business Development, Airbus SAS. Job Summary: You will be the strategic architect responsible for driving the long-term vision and business strategy for the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) & Tools portfolio across the Americas (North, Central, and South America). You are accountable for transforming this high-potential region into a primary engine for our global growth, directly contributing to our $222M revenue ambition. By identifying and translating complex customer challenges into pioneering GSE solutions, you will solve new problems through innovative methods. You will operate with a high degree of autonomy, leading co-creation partnerships with key customers and internal stakeholders to ensure our solutions deliver unparalleled value and strengthen the Airbus brand.

Requirements

• You have a good knowledge of the business with experience in the domain of aircraft maintenance.
• You are a project manager or have successful experiences in managing projects
• You have worked with Customers or you are at ease communicating with Customers.
• You have business acumen and have experience creating business cases.
• Engineering degree or equivalent years of experience in the field
• You have a wide understanding of the business: 7 years of experience out of which, some on the domain of Airbus airframe maintenance, in an Airline, MRO or tools manufacturer.
• You have excellent analytical skills that allow you to identify market trends, business opportunities in the development of new tools.
• You have a track record of developing general business cases and aligning stakeholders to them.
• You have strong analytical skills with a focus on data-driven-decision making
• Aerospace Maintenance Acumen: Deep understanding of aircraft maintenance operations, MRO environments, and the associated challenges faced by airlines. Familiarity with Airbus technical documentation (AMM, SRM, TEM) is crucial
• GSE & Tools Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of Ground Support Equipment, including the different categories (standard, specific, vendor-designed) and their application
• Project Management Fundamentals: Solid understanding of project management principles
• Business Case Development: The ability to independently construct and defend comprehensive business cases. This includes performing market analysis, creating financial projections, conducting risk and opportunity assessments, and utilizing strategic frameworks like SWOT analysis to justify new product initiatives.
• Customer Opportunity Conversion: Proven capability to capture the "voice of the customer" by identifying and analyzing their operational pain points and translating those needs into concrete, value-driven GSE and tool solutions.
• Digital Tool Proficiency: The ability to effectively use digital platforms for analysis and collaboration, including Salesforce for customer relationship management and Skywise for market and maintenance intelligence.
• Effective Communication & Presentation: The ability to present complex technical and business information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, from engineering teams to customer executives at events like Material Readiness Conferences (MRC).
• able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.
• able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on production floor including safety warnings or alarms.
• able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.
• able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts.
• able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
• able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
• able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools.
• able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer.
• able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.
• able to stand for discussions in offices or on production floor.
• able to travel independently and at short notice.
• able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces.
• This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Nice To Haves

• Experience on aircraft maintenance processes (particularly Airframe) and optimization
• Understanding the aircraft maintenance related manuals (AMM, MPD, TSM..)
• Experience acquired on Airbus commercial platforms (A320, A330, A340, A350, A380, A220)

Responsibilities

• Strategic Business Development & Opportunity Creation (30%) Ensure the translation of heterogeneous customer challenges into concrete, high-value GSE and Tool solutions. Define and lead the end-to-end business case development for all new product opportunities originating from the region, conducting SWOT, financial, and risk/opportunity analyses to secure Go/No-Go decisions. Take accountability for the regional product pipeline, monitoring new developments to ensure on-time, on-quality, and on-cost delivery.
• High-Level Sales & Commercial Influence (20%) Act as the lead technical and commercial authority in the region, influencing Satair sales campaigns and negotiating with customers at high levels. Directly impact the achievement of regional sales targets by providing expert consultation on Smart Tool and Tailored Tool solutions, differentiating the Airbus offer in a competitive landscape.
• Regional Ecosystem & Partnership Strategy (20%) Define and implement the regional strategy for GSE vendor partnerships, scouting new technologies (automation, IoT, AI) and establishing commercial agreements for the Alternate Validation service. Your actions and decisions will have a direct, long-term impact on our technology roadmap and competitive positioning in the Americas.
• Contractual & Commercial Accountability (10%) Carry out and manage the interface with Airbus Americas legal and contracts departments, ensuring alignment for all service sales and co-development partnerships. You hold accountability for validating the commercial and contractual frameworks for service sales within the region.
• Internal Strategy & Stakeholder Alignment (20%) Serve as the primary ambassador for the Americas region within the global GSE organization, influencing decision-making forums through data-driven recommendations. Regularly align with senior leaders and peers across countries and divisions on resources, strategy, and business priorities. Present our strategic tool recommendations at high-stakes Material Readiness Conferences (MRC) and other key industry events
• Manage multiple and complex multinational interfaces & stakeholders: Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Strategy, Procurement, Supply chain & Distribution.
• Adapt to multiple cultures & environments
• Keep track despite numerous changes, while keeping Customer & Airbus interest at the centre

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level