Section Chief, Engineering - Digital Projects and Engineering Tools

About the role

We are seeking a results-oriented Section Chief, Engineering to lead a team of project managers responsible for Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), and engineering tools and ways-of-working improvement initiatives.

This role combines people leadership, portfolio management, and cross-functional coordination. The Section Chief develops team members, sets priorities, allocates resources, and ensures commitments are met for scope, schedule, cost, quality, and adoption. The leader works closely with Engineering, IT, Programs, and business partners to enable digital continuity, process integration, and the sustainable evolution of the engineering work environment.

What are your contributions to the team?

• Lead, engage, and develop a team of project managers responsible for CAD, PLM, and engineering tools improvement initiatives.
• Set objectives, clarify accountabilities, provide regular coaching, and manage performance and talent development effectively.
• Manage and prioritize the project portfolio based on PDA needs, program objectives, business value, dependencies, available capacity, and risk.
• Maintain rigorous project governance across scope, schedules, budgets, resources, risks, issues, decisions, and performance indicators.
• Ensure milestones and expected outcomes are achieved; act promptly to remove obstacles, arbitrate priorities, and implement recovery plans when required.
• Align CAD, PLM, and engineering tools roadmaps with Engineering, IT, and Program priorities as well as enterprise architecture and standards.
• Act as the primary liaison with leadership, functional owners, program teams, and IT partners to communicate portfolio status and facilitate decisions.
• Oversee requirements definition, solution design, testing, deployment, and transition to operations to deliver robust, integrated, and sustainable solutions.
• Champion structured change management, including communications, training, user readiness, adoption, and benefits tracking.
• Support digital continuity and the integration of engineering data and processes across CAD, PLM, and related systems.
• Ensure compliance with applicable security, quality, configuration management, and aerospace product development requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement, standardize project management practices, and promote lessons learned across the team and its partners.

Key Competencies:

• Engaging leadership, coaching, and talent development
• Portfolio management, prioritization, and resource allocation
• Results orientation, accountability, and business acumen
• Strategic and systems thinking
• Proactive management of risks, issues, and dependencies
• Influence, communication, and stakeholder management
• Complex problem-solving and decision-making
• Change leadership and continuous improvement

How to thrive in this role?

• You hold a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems Management, or a related field.
• You have at least ten years of relevant experience in aerospace product development, digital transformation, or engineering tools deployment.
• You have demonstrated experience in people management, coaching, or leading teams of professionals and project managers.
• You have led a portfolio or multiple complex projects involving cross-functional dependencies, suppliers, and stakeholders at various levels.
• You understand Product Development Aircraft (PDA) processes, engineering data, configuration management, and CAD and PLM environments.
• You are proficient in planning, governance, risk management, financial tracking, and project performance measurement practices.
• You demonstrate sound judgment, strong influencing skills, and excellent communication abilities in both French and English.
• You can operate effectively in a matrix environment, manage competing priorities, and mobilize teams through change.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification in project or portfolio management (PMP, PgMP, or equivalent), Agile methodology, or systems engineering (INCOSE).
• Experience with Siemens Teamcenter, CAD solutions, or comparable platforms.
• Knowledge of MBSE, digital twins, the digital thread, and model-based product development.
• Experience in organizational change management, digital solution adoption, or process improvement.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity, export control, and compliance requirements applicable to the aerospace industry.