Senior Embedded Software Product Line Leader

Job Description Summary

The Senior Embedded Software Product Line Leader will lead Platform Software engineering efforts for key programs within the Application Compute Environment (ACE) Product Line. This role serves as the primary engineering interface for customers and internal stakeholders, driving execution across complex embedded software development programs while ensuring alignment on technical, programmatic, and business objectives. This leader will combine product line ownership, project execution, and technical leadership to guide internal software teams and global suppliers through the full embedded software lifecycle, including development, integration, verification, and DO-178C certification.

The role requires strong experience in program execution, cross-functional collaboration, and reusable product line strategy in a highly regulated aerospace environment. Initially, this position will lead Platform and Test Software efforts for the KC-46 Flight Management Computer (FMC) Refresh and C-130J FMC Refresh programs. With additional military avionics refresh programs expected to follow, a key part of this role will be to shape, mature, and evolve the ACE product line roadmap to enable scalability, reuse, and efficient execution across future programs.

The location for this position is Grand Rapids, MI on at least a hybrid basis (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday in office) :
An extensive corporate relocation package is also available for eligible candidates.

• Lead distributed software engineering teams across GE Aerospace and external suppliers in the development of Platform Software products.
• Serve as the primary engineering point of contact for customers and internal stakeholders across software-related program activities.
• Own and evolve the ACE product line roadmap, ensuring common assets, architecture, and reuse strategies support current and future military refresh programs.
• Drive program execution across schedule, cost, technical scope, risk, and quality commitments.
• Coordinate closely with cross-functional partners including Systems, Hardware, Safety, Security, Quality, Certification, Sourcing, and Program Management.
• Provide technical oversight and leadership across the full software lifecycle, including requirements, design, implementation, verification, validation, and certification.
• Lead supplier and subcontractor coordination to ensure alignment, execution rigor, and delivery performance.
• Provide regular status, metrics, and risk visibility to leadership and stakeholders.
• Mentor sub-team leads and support development of technical and execution capability across the broader team.
• Partner with engineering managers to define staffing, technology, product reuse, and process improvement strategies.
• Champion continuous improvement and product line engineering practices to improve efficiency, standardization, and long-term platform value.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline from an accredited university or college.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in embedded real-time systems and software development.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience leading software engineering execution through the full development lifecycle.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex technical projects involving cross-functional and multi-site teams.
• Strong experience providing technical leadership in embedded software environments.
• Ability to work effectively with customers, internal stakeholders, and suppliers in a highly regulated development setting.
• This position requires U.S. citizenship status.

• Master’s degree in an engineering-related field from an accredited university or college.
• Experience leading embedded software efforts in aerospace, avionics, or other safety-critical industries.
• Experience with DO-178B/C avionics software development and certification, with familiarity in DO-254, DO-297, and ARP
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• Strong understanding of Product Line Engineering (PLE) principles and tools, particularly in environments requiring reuse across multiple related programs.
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM), Activity Based Management, and Agile Scrum methods.
• Demonstrated ability to lead global and virtual teams and coordinate large-scale software development efforts.
• Knowledge of real-time operating systems, processing platforms, networking products, and multi-core processor…