The Senior Manager Product Strategy will esponsible for defining and driving the long-term, world class product strategy for the TAS product portfolio. This role operates at the intersection of design leadership, innovation, and business strategy. The successful candidate will shape future product direction, influence cross-functional decision-making, and ensure that design excellence, user experience, and engineering feasibility are embedded into the organisation’s product roadmap. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring both hands-on design expertise and strategic thinking within a complex, regulated aerospace environment.
Responsibilities
- Balancing airline customer needs, passenger experience, engineering feasibility, certification requirements, manufacturing capability, and long-term market opportunity define and lead the long-term market positioning and growth trajectory for TAS product development
- Identify emerging trends in premium seating, cabin interiors, mobility, sustainability, and user experience to inform future product development.
- Monitor competitor product strategy and develop SWOT compared with the TAS product portfolio
- Shape design strategy across multiple programmes, platforms, and product lifecycles.
- Influence executive decision-making on product direction, customer experience, and innovation priorities.
- Lead the creation of forward-looking concepts, design frameworks, and innovation pipelines.
- Explore new technologies, materials, and design methodologies to deliver competitive advantage.
- Drive breakthrough thinking in areas such as cabin experience, human-machine interaction, lightweighting, and sustainability.
- Translate complex technical and regulatory requirements into visionary yet feasible design solutions.
- Partner with senior stakeholders across engineering, commercial, R&D, certification, and manufacturing teams.
- Align design strategy with market needs, customer insights, and commercial goals.
- Act as a key advisor on strategic programmes, bids, and high-value customer engagements.
- Provide mentorship and direction to senior designers and multidisciplinary teams.
- Build and nurture high-performing design capability across the organisation.
- Promote best practice in design thinking, human-centred design, and systems integration.
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Reward
- Competitive salary
- Annual bonus (linked to company performance)
- 33 days annual leave (Increase after 5 years' service)
- 37.5 hours per week
- Flexi time working
- £5,000 employee referral bonus
- Health cash plan
- Contributory Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme
- Holiday Purchase Scheme - Salary Sacrifice
- Electric Car Scheme - Salary Sacrifice
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Life Assurance Scheme at x4 gross salary
- Competitive enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
- IVF & Assisted Conception Policy
- Women in Business - Corporate Member
- Wellbeing Initiatives
- Employee Recognition scheme
- Service Awards
- Local charity / sponsorship activities
- Dedicated employee parking
- Discounted Gym membership
- Learning and development opportunities
- Career progression
Requirements
Essential
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
- 10–15+ years’ experience in industrial design within aerospace, highly preferred in premium aircraft seating
- Demonstrated experience in strategic design leadership or principal-level roles.
- Proven track record of influencing product strategy
- Extensive experience operating within regulated environments and working alongside internal and external engineering and certification authorities.
- Experience contributing to innovation strategy, IP development, or future product roadmaps.
- Expert-level proficiency in CAD and digital design tools (e.g., CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks or equivalent).
- Good knowledge of certification requirements and regulatory environments (EASA, FAA).
- Experience in advanced concept modelling, systems integration, and complex product architectures.
- Ability to connect user experience, engineering requirements, and business objectives.
- High-level conceptual thinking combined with a pragmatic delivery mindset.
- Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills.
Desirable
- Advanced qualifications or specialisation in design strategy, systems design, or innovation
We reserve the right to enhance criteria on shortlisting.
Thompson Aero Seating is an Equal Opportunities employer.
The closing date for applications is the 20th July 2026 at 17:00.
For further infomation contact [email protected]
