What Aerospace Teams Should Look for in a Product Development Partner

Project delays plague aerospace development programs, with 70% experiencing setbacks directly attributed to inadequate planning and partnership selection. The IT outsourcing market's trajectory toward US$152.00 billion this year intensifies competitive pressures on aerospace teams to secure partners capable of on-time, budget-compliant delivery. The 2022 Aerospace and Defense Industry Outlook identifies innovation as the primary driver for new technology development, market creation, and growth expansion.

Partner selection demands clear understanding of your current development stage. Qualified aerospace product development partners deliver integrated support and specialized expertise essential for rapid advancement while preventing costly engineering missteps—particularly critical as aerospace companies commit significant resources to electrification and sustainable technology implementation. This guide addresses the fundamental questions aerospace teams must ask when evaluating potential partners, examining cross-functional expertise, prototyping capabilities, human-centered design methodologies, and regulatory compliance understanding.

Why aerospace teams need a product development partner

Modern aerospace innovation presents technical complexities that exceed internal capabilities of most organizations. Industry research indicates 61% of aerospace companies identify new technology innovation as the primary driver behind extended time-to-market challenges. This data confirms the strategic necessity of partnering with specialized aerospace product development firms.

Access to cross-functional expertise

Aerospace product development spans multiple technical disciplines—materials science, avionics, aerodynamics, and systems integration. Cross-functional collaboration delivers measurable improvements in development outcomes, with organizations reporting 15% lower product development costs when diverse expertise operates cohesively. Early-stage cross-disciplinary input identifies design conflicts before they escalate into expensive downstream corrections.

Technical complexity within aerospace systems demands specialized knowledge across interconnected domains. Aerospace product development consulting partners provide both technical depth and breadth required to address intricate engineering challenges while preserving strategic alignment with program objectives.

Faster prototyping and time-to-market

Speed determines competitive positioning in aerospace markets. Additive manufacturing data shows 83% of stakeholders report 3D printing reduces production part and fixture creation time by half. Aerospace teams accessing these advanced prototyping capabilities secure measurable development advantages.

Organizations implementing collaborative development approaches achieve 20% faster time-to-market compared to conventional methods. This acceleration proves essential in aerospace, where extended development cycles and market timing directly influence long-term program success.

Managing complexity and compliance

Aerospace manufacturers must process extensive compliance data while maintaining absolute accuracy standards. Single compliance oversights generate consequences ranging from million-dollar financial penalties to program delays that cascade through entire defense supply chains.

Regulatory frameworks encompass stringent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and AS9100 standard requirements. Aerospace product development partners with established regulatory expertise provide essential support for compliance navigation while preserving innovation velocity.

Reducing internal resource strain

Supply chain complexity extends 10 levels deep, incorporating up to 6,500 suppliers across 100 countries. Managing complete aerospace product development scope internally strains organizational resources beyond practical limits. External partners assume specialized development responsibilities, enabling internal teams to concentrate on core competencies.

This partnership model addresses resource-intensive activities including regulatory documentation, specialized testing protocols, and complex integration challenges without requiring internal capability development and maintenance—delivering cost efficiency alongside specialized expertise access.

Key traits to look for in a product development partner

Aerospace product development partner selection extends well beyond basic technical competencies. Industry best practices reveal specific traits that separate exceptional partners from standard service providers.

Experience in aerospace product development process

Partners must demonstrate comprehensive understanding of aviation-specific development methodologies. Qualified partners possess specialized expertise in materials selection, process validation, and environmental testing. They deliver preliminary studies and pre-development work specifically engineered for aerospace applications and requirements.

Strong regulatory understanding (FAA, AS9100, etc.)

Aviation's regulatory environment requires partners with proven compliance expertise. Top-tier aerospace product development companies maintain AS9100 certification, directly aligned with FAA and EASA regulatory frameworks. This certification standard receives specific endorsement from the DoD, FAA, and NASA.

Human-centered design capabilities

Human-centered design delivers the creative elements that conventional systems engineering approaches cannot provide. This methodology enables modeling and simulation from initial design phases through complete product lifecycles. Partners must demonstrate user-centered approaches that minimize maintenance errors while maximizing operational efficiency.

Proven track record in fast prototyping

Rapid prototyping capabilities accelerate development timelines significantly. Partners with internal prototype facilities validate designs, identify deficiencies, and refine concepts using real-world performance data. These capabilities enable aerospace teams to evaluate multiple design iterations efficiently.

Cross-functional team structure

Aerospace product development demands multidisciplinary teams operating across specialized domains. Superior partners maintain integrated teams combining mechanical, electrical, and software engineering expertise to address complex system requirements. This collaborative structure manages the sophisticated interdependencies inherent in modern aerospace systems.

Before finalizing your selection, contact Nectar's team to schedule a call with us to learn how we can help with their development journey. Our cross-functional expertise and human-centered approach might be exactly what your aerospace project needs.

Questions to ask before choosing a partner

Effective partner evaluation requires targeted questioning that exposes true capabilities. Prepare structured conversations with potential candidates to assess their qualifications against your specific requirements.

What is your experience with aerospace product development?

Examine their project portfolio first. Request detailed accounts of aerospace projects completed, focusing on those matching your technical scope. Qualified partners articulate their experience with materials selection, manufacturing processes, and testing protocols. Question their knowledge of prototype complexity—from basic mockups through full-scale sub-assemblies subjected to environmental testing.

How do you handle regulatory compliance?

Aerospace's regulatory environment demands specialized compliance expertise. Verify their AS9100 certification status and adherence to FAA and EASA requirements. Question their documentation management systems, audit trail procedures, and quality control protocols. Assess how they monitor regulatory changes and their track record handling compliance challenges for previous clients.

Can you walk us through your prototyping process?

Prototyping capabilities reveal operational competence. Question their timeline reduction achievements—qualified partners demonstrate measurable development acceleration. Request explanation of their prototype evaluation methodology based on project objectives. Focus on their capacity to deliver rapid iteration cycles without sacrificing quality standards.

How do your teams collaborate across disciplines?

Cross-functional coordination determines project outcomes. Question their communication protocols between engineering specialties. Assess their multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) experience, which enables streamlined collaboration across engineering domains. Effective partners describe structured interdisciplinary meetings and communication systems that maintain project transparency.

What tools and methods do you use for project delivery?

Project management methodology reveals organizational maturity. Question their performance measurement systems for research and development activities, essential for informed decision-making. Request detailed explanation of their delivery framework, including milestone tracking and dependency management. Assess their experience with aerospace-specific project management tools providing configuration management and operational efficiency.

These targeted questions reveal whether potential partners possess the expertise, processes, and collaborative capabilities required for successful aerospace product development execution.

Red flags and how to avoid them

Early identification of problematic aerospace product development partners prevents costly project failures and timeline disruptions. Industry analysis reveals specific warning indicators that aerospace teams must recognize during partner evaluation.

Lack of transparency in process or pricing

Supply and demand signal transparency forms the foundation of effective planning and informed growth initiatives. Without transparency, suppliers cannot anticipate demand patterns, while customers remain unaware of material shortages until operational disruptions occur. Critical questions for aerospace product development consulting firms include:

• Project status communication protocols during unexpected challenges

• Process visibility levels provided to client teams
  

Transparency ensures efficient capital utilization while building trust necessary for resilient supply chains that support long-term growth and manage market volatility.

No clear delivery methodology

Project teams frequently rush toward manufacturing without establishing process alignment. This approach bypasses critical development phases as organizations prioritize speed over systematic execution. Aerospace product development partners must articulate their specific methodology, detailing how they:

• Integrate supply chain teams during initial phases

• Establish alignment checkpoints throughout development

• Manage cross-disciplinary communication protocols

Successful program launches require dedicated leadership that bridges knowledge gaps across multidisciplinary teams.

Limited aerospace domain knowledge

Aerospace value-related knowledge remains largely tacit, poorly validated, and difficult to correlate with specific product requirements. While numerous companies assert aerospace expertise, verification requires concrete evidence of:

• Aerospace-specific materials knowledge and testing protocols

• Complex compliance framework experience

• Industry-specific challenge familiarity
  

Inability to provide case studies or references

Established aerospace product development companies readily document their project successes. Partners who hesitate to provide concrete work examples raise immediate concerns. Priority should focus on firms demonstrating accountability, collaboration, and customer integrity.

Aerospace product development demands partners who deliver verified capabilities through documented past performance rather than unsubstantiated promises.

Conclusion

Partner selection determines aerospace development program success. This guide has examined the critical factors that separate exceptional development partners from standard service providers. The right partner delivers cross-functional expertise, accelerates time-to-market through advanced prototyping capabilities, manages complex regulatory frameworks, and reduces internal resource demands.

Rigorous assessment against established criteria remains essential before final partner selection. Direct questioning about aerospace experience, regulatory compliance processes, and interdisciplinary collaboration methods reveals true capabilities and project compatibility. These discussions expose both technical competencies and operational alignment.

Aerospace development stakes demand careful evaluation. Single partnership oversights generate costly delays, compliance failures, and technical constraints. Assessment must examine technical capabilities alongside cultural fit, communication protocols, and problem-solving methodologies. Contact Nectar's team to schedule a call with us to learn how we can help with their development journey, particularly for teams requiring cross-functional expertise and human-centered design approaches.

Aerospace sector evolution accelerates while safety and compliance standards intensify. Development partners must demonstrate adaptability paired with deep domain knowledge. Comprehensive partner evaluation requires substantial due diligence, yet well-matched collaborations deliver measurable returns across complete product lifecycles—from initial concept development through final certification.

Key Takeaways

Choosing the right aerospace product development partner is critical for project success, with 70% of aerospace projects experiencing delays due to inadequate partnership selection. Here are the essential insights for making an informed decision:

• Prioritize cross-functional expertise and regulatory compliance - Look for partners with AS9100 certification and deep understanding of FAA/EASA requirements to navigate complex aerospace regulations effectively.

• Evaluate prototyping capabilities for faster time-to-market - Partners with advanced 3D printing and rapid prototyping can halve production time and accelerate development cycles by 20%.

• Ask specific questions about aerospace experience and methodology - Request case studies, references, and detailed explanations of their development process to verify their domain expertise.

• Watch for red flags like lack of transparency or limited aerospace knowledge - Avoid partners who can't provide clear pricing, delivery methodologies, or concrete examples of past aerospace projects.

• Focus on human-centered design and collaborative team structures - The best partners integrate multidisciplinary teams and user-centered approaches to reduce maintenance errors and improve operational efficiency.

The right partnership provides access to specialized expertise while allowing your internal teams to focus on core competencies, ultimately reducing costs and accelerating innovation in the highly regulated aerospace environment.