Senior Project Leader – Physical System Architecture (MSPA)

We are looking for an experienced Senior Project Leader – Physical System Architecture (MSPA) to lead complex aerospace system architecture, integration, and development programs across multiple aircraft systems. The ideal candidate will possess strong hands-on experience in aircraft systems engineering, physical architecture development, equipment integration, validation activities, and project leadership.

This role is intended for engineers who have developed deep expertise in aircraft systems architecture and integration and have progressed into project or program leadership roles. The position requires strong technical depth, cross-functional leadership, customer management, and end-to-end ownership of aerospace engineering programs involving multiple ATA chapters and system interfaces.

• Manage multiple concurrent aerospace systems engineering and physical architecture projects involving global and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Define project scope, schedules, milestones, KPIs, resource plans, and delivery roadmaps aligned with customer and business objectives.
• Lead development and integration of aircraft physical system architectures across ATA domains including ATA21 (Environmental Control System), ATA35 (Oxygen Systems), ATA92 (Electrical Power Systems), and other interconnected aircraft systems.
• Drive execution from requirements definition through architecture development, equipment selection, system integration, verification, validation, and certification support.
• Provide technical leadership and engineering direction for Physical System Architecture (MSPA) teams while ensuring project delivery commitments.
• Coordinate Equipment System Integration (ESI) and Major System Integration (MSI) activities across multiple aircraft platforms and programs.
• Act as primary customer interface for technical discussions, project reviews, delivery governance, and escalation management.
• Lead system-level integration reviews, architecture assessments, design reviews, and validation readiness reviews.
• Manage engineering risks, dependencies, issue resolution, change management, and configuration control throughout the project lifecycle.
• Establish project dashboards and performance metrics to monitor delivery, quality, resource utilization, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead and mentor engineering teams while supporting competency development and technical growth.
• Support proposal development, technical solutioning, effort estimation, and customer engagement activities.
• Collaborate with business development and account teams to support program growth opportunities.

• Strong understanding of Aircraft Physical System Architecture (MSPA) principles and methodologies.
• Expertise in ATA21 (Environmental Control System), ATA35 (Oxygen Systems), ATA92 (Electrical Power Systems), and multi-ATA integration.
• Experience in Equipment System Integration (ESI) and Major System Integration (MSI).
• Strong knowledge of aircraft functional electrical systems and electrical architecture.
• Experience performing architectural trade studies, system allocation, interface definition, and integration assessments.
• Ability to develop and review system schematics, architecture diagrams, interface documents, and integration plans.
• Expertise in equipment validation, system verification, qualification, and test readiness activities.
• Experience with requirements management, architecture modelling, and traceability methodologies.
• Knowledge of aircraft system interfaces, power distribution systems, environmental control systems, and equipment installation requirements.
• Understanding of aircraft certification requirements and compliance verification processes.
• Familiarity with systems engineering tools such as DOORS, Rhapsody, Cameo, Capella, Teamcenter, Windchill, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience with configuration management, requirements management, and change control processes.

• Aerospace Systems Engineering Lifecycle and V-Model Development Process.
• Requirements Engineering and Requirements Traceability.
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies.
• ARP4754A and aircraft systems development processes.
• Verification & Validation (V&V) planning and execution.
• Configuration Management and Change Management Processes.
• Risk Management, Issue Management, Dependency Tracking, and Governance Frameworks.
• Agile, Hybrid, and Waterfall Project Delivery Methodologies.

• Strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to translate highly complex system architecture challenges into clear delivery plans and business outcomes.
• Strong customer-facing experience with technical and program governance leadership.
• Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple aircraft programs and engineering teams.
• Experience working within global and multicultural engineering environments.
• Strong mentoring and coaching capability to develop next-generation systems architects and engineering leaders.
• Ability to influence stakeholders across engineering, certification, manufacturing, and business functions.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.

• 10–15 years of experience in aerospace systems engineering, aircraft architecture, equipment integration, verification & validation, and project/program management.
• Strong hands-on experience in Aircraft Systems Architecture with progression into project leadership responsibilities.
• Proven experience managing large-scale aerospace engineering programs involving multi-disciplinary and globally distributed teams.
• Experience working with aircraft OEMs, aerospace suppliers, or engineering service organizations.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams including systems engineering, design, stress, certification, manufacturing, testing, and verification teams.

• PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent Project Management Certification.
• INCOSE Systems Engineering Certification preferred.
• Experience in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) environments.
• Experience supporting certification programs and compliance activities.
• Exposure to aircraft development programs involving electrical systems, environmental control systems, oxygen systems, avionics integration, or other aircraft systems.
• Experience in proposal development, effort estimation, customer presentations, and technical solutioning.
• Experience working with global aerospace OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, or aerospace engineering service providers.

This role is pivotal in delivering complex aerospace system architecture and integration programs by combining deep technical expertise in aircraft systems engineering with strong project leadership capabilities. The Senior Project Leader – Physical System Architecture will ensure technical excellence, successful system integration, predictable program delivery, customer satisfaction, and the development of scalable engineering capabilities aligned with strategic business growth.