Product Development Manager - Training & Technical Enablement; Aerospace & Defense

Job Description

The Product Development Manager will lead industry-oriented training and enablement programs aimed at developing the next generation of engineers in product design and development. This role blends hands‑on mentorship, technical leadership, and applied learning, guiding early‑career engineers through the complete product development lifecycle - from concept to prototype.

The manager will design and deliver project‑based training modules integrating simulation‑driven design, optimization, PLM systems, and Six Sigma methodologies, ensuring participants gain both theoretical knowledge and practical, industry‑ready skills. The role will also drive the development of pilot or prototype projects that simulate real‑world product development challenges.

• Lead and mentor early‑career engineers through end‑to‑end product development projects, emphasizing applied learning and innovation.
• Design and deliver structured training programs covering the full product lifecycle - including concept design, simulation, optimization, prototyping, and validation.
• Facilitate hands‑on workshops and masterclasses on PLM, Design of Experiments (DOE), sensitivity analysis, PIDO, and simulation data management.
• Coach engineering teams on integrating simulation workflows within PLM environments for better collaboration, traceability, and performance improvement.
• Drive technical enablement initiatives by developing learning paths and project templates aligned with industry standards and organizational goals.
• Supervise prototype projects
  , ensuring participants apply engineering principles, digital tools, and data‑driven methodologies effectively.
• Collaborate with academic partners, industry mentors, and internal stakeholders to continuously evolve the training curriculum in line with emerging technologies and market trends
  .
• Measure and report on training outcomes
  , participant progress, and competency development to ensure continuous improvement and ROI.

• Master's or PhD in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Mechatronics Engineering
  .
• 10+ years of experience in product development, lifecycle management, optimization
  , or simulation‑led engineering
  , ideally within the Aerospace & Defense sector.
• Proven experience in mentoring or training engineering teams
  , with a focus on applied, project‑based learning.
• Strong understanding of PLM systems (Teamcenter, Windchill) and simulation‑driven workflows
  .
• Excellent communication, leadership, and facilitation skills
  , with a passion for developing technical talent and fostering innovation.
• Ability to travel domestically up to 25% of the time.

• Experience in designing or managing graduate enablement programs or technical training academies
  .
• Exposure to industry‑academia collaboration projects or innovation challenges.
• Ability to translate complex engineering principles into accessible, experiential learning formats.