Service Engineering Manager
Published 02.24.2026
Company: Safran Electronics & Defense Job field: Quality Location: Rockford, Illinois, United States
Contract type: Permanent Contract duration: Full-time Required degree: Bachelors Degree Required experience: More than 5 years Professional status: Professional, Engineer & Manager Salary range: $133,000 - $157,000 annual
ITAR: ITAR Controlled position
# 2026-173032
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Published 02.24.2026
Job Description
Job Summary
The Actuation Service Engineering Manager is responsible for leading and managing the service engineering function for actuation systems and products. This role oversees the development, planning, and execution of timely and effective corrective actions for in-service field issues while ensuring alignment with business objectives, customer expectations, and regulatory requirements.
Essential Job Functions
• Lead and manage the Actuation Service Engineering team, including goal setting, workload prioritization, coaching, and performance development • Oversee the development, planning, and implementation of timely and effective corrective actions for in-service field issues involving actuation systems and products • Direct the collection and analysis of field reliability data, operator usage, and maintenance practices to identify trends and reliability drivers • Lead root cause investigations, special investigations, and corrective action development, validation, and implementation • Serve as the primary technical escalation point for critical in-service and AOG issues, ensuring appropriate urgency and executive-level communication • Coordinate cross-functional activities with engineering departments, suppliers, repair centers, OEMs, and worldwide operators • Act as the "Voice of the Customer," advocating for product and process improvements based on in-service experience and customer feedback • Oversee the development, review, and coordination of Service Bulletins, Service Information Letters, and Component Maintenance Manual updates • Partner with Technical Publications and the Actuation Service Desk to ensure accurate, timely, and effective customer support • Support design engineering teams on new programs by incorporating lessons learned from in-service product experience • Ensure support for qualification testing, troubleshooting, technical reporting, and coordination with OEM partners • Develop and deliver functional and familiarization maintenance training to airline operators and internal teams • Drive continuous improvement initiatives using ACE tools and principles to improve product reliability, service effectiveness, and internal processes • Travel as required to customer sites, repair facilities, suppliers, and internal locations in support of assigned programs • Other duties may be assigned
Job Requirements
Skills & Competencies
• Proven people leadership and team management capabilities in a technical environment • Strong technical knowledge of aircraft systems, actuation systems, or complex aerospace products • Demonstrated ability to lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively from executive leadership to technicians • Strong customer focus with experience interfacing directly with airline operators, MROs, and OEMs • Ability to manage multiple priorities and make sound decisions in high-pressure, time-critical situations (including AOG events) • Experience coordinating cross-functional teams across engineering, field service, suppliers, and repair organizations • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) • Experience applying ACE tools and continuous improvement methodologies (ACE Associate preferred) • Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills • High level of accountability, resilience, and tenacity
But what else?
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) or Electrical Engineering (BSEE) required • Masters degree in Engineering or Business Administration (MS or MBA) preferred • Formal leadership or management training preferred • Legally authorized to work in the US without company sponsorship • Experience in Aerospace a plus
Company Information
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazines "Worlds best companies 2024" ranking.
Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers onboard intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, reduce mental load and guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.
Locate your future workplace
4747 Harrison Ave, M/S 298-6 61108 Rockford Illinois United States
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100,000 employees worldwide 27 Number of countries where Safran is located 35 Business area families