Product Line Director - Engine Systems

Job Description
It's about the journey. Every second, somewhere in the world, an aircraft takes flight enable by systems that must work - every time, without fail. At BAE Systems, our Engine Systems portfolio sits at the heart of that mission, delivering safety-critical engine controls to the world's leading aerospace partners and more than 600 airlines globally.

Be part of that journey in Electronic Systems where you'll be among the brightest minds, working on the industry's most difficult problems. Drawing strength from our differences, we're innovating for the future. And you can, too. Our flexible work environment provides you a chance to change the world without giving up your personal life. We put our customers first - exemplified by our mission: "We Innovate For Those Who Move The World™." Sound like a team you want to be a part of? Come build your career with BAE Systems.

We are seeking an Executive-level Product Line Director (PLD) for Engine Systems to lead one of the most complex and strategically important portfolios in CAS. This role requires a leader who brings vision, operational discipline, customer credibility, and a deep commitment to developing people.

This is not a program management role. It's an enterprise leadership role with full accountability for strategy, building trust with customers, developing leaders, and driving operational and business excellence - every day.

The Role:
The Product Line Director (PLD) - Engine Systems is the senior business and program leader accountable for the profit and loss, strategy, and execution of BAE Systems' Engine Systems portfolio within the Controls & Avionics Solutions (CAS) business area.
This role owns the full lifecycle of the engine controls product line, spanning current production programs, development programs, aftermarket support, and future pipeline maturation. The PLD ensures program performance, customer satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and long-term portfolio competitiveness across civil, military, and emerging propulsion platforms.
Operating within BAE Systems' matrixed operating model, the PLD partners closely with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Business Development, and Program Management to translate strategy into executable business outcomes while meeting all internal governance, policy, and compliance requirements.
Leadership Expectations

The Product Line Director is expected to lead at the enterprise and executive level, setting the tone for culture, accountability, and performance across the Engine Systems organization.

• Full P&L ownership mentality - treats the product line as a business, not a function
• Entrepreneurial execution - proactively identifies growth opportunities, technology inflections, and adjacencies while managing risk
• Accountability and rigor - sets clear expectations, drives measurable outcomes, and holds self and others accountable for results
• Strategic judgment - balances near-term delivery with long-term portfolio health and investment priorities
• People leadership - develops high-performing teams, builds bench strength, and fosters a culture of ownership and collaboration
• Enterprise leadership - optimizes outcomes for CAS and BAE Systems overall, not just the local portfolio

Key Responsibilities:

Business & Strategic Leadership

• Own full profit and loss (P&L) responsibility for the Engine Systems product line
• Develop and execute multi-year product line strategy and business plans
• Drive revenue growth, margin expansion, cost competitiveness, and cash performance
• Lead annual operating plan (AOP), forecast, and long-range planning cycles

Customer & Partner

• Build and sustain trusted executive-level relationships with customers, partners, and key suppliers
• Serve as a senior leader in critical customer engagements - listening first, acting decisively, and delivering on commitments
• Lead resolution of complex commercial, technical, and execution challenges with transparency and accountability

Program & Portfolio Execution

• Provide executive oversight of complex commercial engine programs across development, production, and sustainment
• Ensure performance to cost, schedule, technical, and contractual commitments
• Lead portfolio risk, opportunity, and corrective-action management

Talent & Cultural Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performance leadership team with the right people in the right roles
• Hire, develop, mentor, and retain top talent, with a focus on succession planning and leadership development
• Set clear expectations for ownership, accountability, collaboration, and respect
• Act as a coach, mentor, and sponsor for high-potential leaders across the business

Enterprise Leadership

• Partner across CAS and the broader enterprise to align strategy, investments, and execution
• Lead across a matrixed organization, aligning Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and Programs
• Champion continuous improvement in execution, affordability, and scalability
• Develop and execute investment and capital investment plans to support future growth

Location & Travel

• This role may be based in Endicott, NY or Fort Wayne, IN
• Regular on-site presence is expected at both sites
• Willingness to travel up to 40%, including international travel

What Success Looks Like

• Customers view the Engine Systems team as a trusted, reliable partner
• Programs execute with discipline, transparency, and predictability
• Leaders are empowered, accountable, and develop the next generation of talent
• The product line delivers sustained, profitable growth
• The culture reflects ownership, accountability, and high standards

Required Education, Experience, & Skills
Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical or business discipline
• 10+ years of leadership experience in Aerospace, Manufacturing, or Advance Technology environments
• Demonstrated experience with P&L ownership or equivalent business accountability
• Strong background in program management, product line management, or portfolio leadership
• Demonstrated ability to operate at the executive level with customers and senior leaders
• Proven ability to lead across matrixed, multi-disciplinary organizations
• Experience working with regulated products and customers (e.g., civil aviation, defense, or safety-critical systems)
• Ability to obtain a U.S Secret security clearance

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MBA or MS in Engineering or related discipline)
• Direct experience with engine control systems, propulsion systems, or flight-critical controls
• Experience with safety-critical aerospace or propulsion-related systems
• Background in large-scale development and production environments
• Prior experience interacting with OEM customers and government stakeholders
• Experience driving operational excellence or business transformation
• Track record of portfolio transformation, cost reduction, or growth acceleration
• Background in aftermarket, sustainment, or lifecycle support businesses
• Active security clearance

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $200222 - $340378

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems' game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere - from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact - for our customers and the communities we serve.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.