Sub Section Manager – Systems Engineering Avionics Networking

GE Aerospace•Grand Rapids, MI

1d•$130,000 - $173,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Technical Manager leads an avionics networking engineering team within GE Aerospace’s ION (Input/Output & Networking) organization. The team delivers networking products for civil and military platforms. The position supports business and Application Engineering teams in defining growth strategies, improves performance and processes, and ensures project execution delivers value to the company and customers. This People Leader role oversees approximately 8–10 interdisciplinary engineers, including Subject Matter Experts, Systems Engineers, and Engineering Project Managers. The manager sets strategy, develops team competencies, leads daily execution, conducts performance reviews, and serves as the team’s technical escalation point. The position reports to the ION Section Manager, operates with moderate autonomy, and requires strong operational judgment. The role is based on-site in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is bonus eligible. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates. The base pay range is $130,000–$173,000 annually, with an annual discretionary bonus also available. The posting is expected to close on December 31, 2026. The role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information, so employment depends on demonstrating qualifying U.S. Person status.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Aerospace, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related technical field from an accredited college or university.
Minimum of 8–10 years of systems engineering, embedded software, or technical/project leadership experience in a highly technical engineering environment, preferably in avionics or safety-critical aerospace applications.
Demonstrated experience leading or supporting development of complex avionics, networking, or integrated hardware/software systems.
Demonstrated experience working on programs governed by aerospace development and certification processes, including DO-178C.
U.S. citizenship is specified as a requirement in the Required Qualifications section.
The role requires qualifying U.S. Person status for access to export-controlled information; the posting identifies U.S. lawful permanent residents, U.S. citizens, and people granted asylee or refugee status as qualifying categories.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Aviation, Aerospace, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
Prior experience as a people leader, with success developing technical talent and building strong teams.
Background in avionics networking, including ARINC 664 (AFDX) and/or Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN).
Experience with DAL A programs and strong understanding of DO-178C objectives, certification lifecycle artifacts, traceability, configuration management, and change control.
Familiarity with ARP4754A, ARP4761, and DO-254.
Ability to partner across matrixed organizations and align engineering, program, business, and customer stakeholders.
Visible, hands-on leadership style with high standards for accountability, quality, and technical rigor.
Financial and budget planning knowledge, including Earned Value methods.
Experience leading large-scale systems engineering or embedded avionics development projects or programs.
Ability to work effectively amid ambiguity, especially when applying new technologies, tools, or processes.
Excellent communication, influencing, organization, and presentation skills.
Ability to listen actively, build trust, foster inclusion, coach, and provide corrective feedback.
Lean mindset focused on continuous improvement, visual management, and standard work.

Responsibilities

Lead an avionics networking engineering team across bids and proposals, program execution, product development, integration, verification, certification, and customer support.
Grow and sustain the team through workforce planning, recruiting, onboarding, coaching, and technical mentoring.
Lead safety-critical avionics networking programs, ensuring the planning, traceability, verification discipline, and cross-functional coordination required for DO-178C and DO-254 compliance, particularly in DAL A environments.
Lead strategies for requirements definition, system architecture, integration, verification, validation, certification support, and lifecycle planning for avionics networking products.
Lead daily execution rhythms, including stand-ups and FLIGHT DECK Daily Management, and act as the technical escalation point for decision-making and problem resolution.
Manage the sub-section’s engineering planning, staffing, budgeting, culture development, process discipline, and execution to meet functional, business, and company objectives.
Create structured development plans for team members and conduct performance reviews with clear expectations and defined metrics.
Partner with technical leaders and Engineering Project Managers to balance product development priorities and customer commitments.
Foster collaboration, accountability, technical rigor, lean principles, and clear communication.
Ensure engineering work complies with internal processes, customer contractual requirements, and applicable aerospace development and certification standards.
Allocate qualified engineering resources and manage outsourced activities to meet project needs.
Support reporting and escalation with clear status communication, issue ownership, and disciplined risk and opportunity management.
Hold teams accountable for measurable results against Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost objectives.
Assist project and program leaders in resolving engineering issues involving design, validation, integration, verification, safety, certification, closure, and field support.
Build influential working relationships with customers and stakeholders at multiple levels.
Help define engineering strategies that differentiate GE Aerospace in the avionics networking market and strengthen the organization.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
Access to a Health Coach from GE Aerospace.
Employee Assistance Program with 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling, and referral services.
GE Aerospace Retirement Savings Plan, including a 401(k) with company matching and company retirement contributions.
Access to Fidelity resources and planning consultants.
Tuition assistance.
Adoption assistance.
Paid parental leave.
Disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid time off for vacation or illness.
Annual discretionary bonus.
Relocation assistance for eligible candidates.