When a fighter jet screams across hostile territory, when a helicopter hovers over a rescue mission, when a military transport carries troops to safety—the difference between life and death often comes down to one critical component: the engine. In the unforgiving world of defense manufacturing, there’s no room for “almost right” or “good enough.” Every turbine blade, every fuel injector, every component must perform flawlessly under the most extreme conditions imaginable.
This is the high-stakes arena where leaders aren’t just managing production lines—they’re engineering trust, manufacturing reliability, and ultimately safeguarding the lives of those who serve. It’s a responsibility that weighs on every decision, every process improvement, every quality checkpoint.
This is Amy Gowder’s world. As President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Aerospace Defense & Systems, she doesn’t just understand this pressure—she thrives on it, transforming one of America’s most critical manufacturing operations into a powerhouse that delivers precisely when lives hang in the balance.
From Finance Floors to Flight Operations
Gowder’s ascent to the apex of aerospace manufacturing wasn’t conventional, and that’s precisely what makes her leadership so compelling. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in the aerospace and technology industry, she built her expertise across diverse functions that few executives master in combination.
Her journey began at Lockheed Martin, where she worked in various leadership roles including operations, supply chain, and finance, as well profit & loss (P&L) portfolio roles, driving growth. This multidisciplinary foundation proved invaluable—understanding both the financial mechanics and operational realities of complex manufacturing gave Gowder a rare 360-degree perspective on what drives sustainable business performance.
The pivotal moment came in 2020 when she was appointed chief operating officer of Aerojet Rocketdyne with responsibility over its Centers of Excellence operations. As COO, Gowder was responsible for engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and other functions—essentially the entire operational backbone of one of America’s premier rocket propulsion companies.
The GE Aerospace Transformation
In 2022, GE appointed Amy Gowder as the President and CEO, Defence & Systems of GE Aerospace, placing her at the helm of a $5 billion operation that represents the cutting edge of military aviation manufacturing.
The scope of Gowder’s manufacturing empire is staggering. She leads an operation focused on developing and manufacturing engines and systems for military air combat, trainer, tanker, helicopter, and marine applications. But the real measure of her operational excellence lies in the numbers: more than 26,000 engines in operation for 300 U.S. and international military customers, with her team providing service and support to ensure the fleet remains mission-ready.
These aren’t just statistics—they represent thousands of pilots, countless missions, and the defense capabilities of nations. Every engine manufactured under Gowder’s leadership undergoes rigorous testing, quality control, and precision manufacturing that meets the most demanding specifications in the world.
Manufacturing Excellence Through Strategic Vision
What sets Gowder apart isn’t just her operational scale, but her approach to manufacturing leadership. She understands that in defense manufacturing, customer relationships aren’t transactional—they’re partnerships built on trust, reliability, and consistent delivery under pressure.
Her leadership philosophy centers on operational excellence achieved through people empowerment and process innovation. Having navigated the complexities of supply chain management across multiple aerospace giants, Gowder brings a systems-thinking approach to manufacturing challenges. She recognizes that sustainable manufacturing success requires seamless integration of engineering innovation, supply chain resilience, and quality assurance.
The transition from Aerojet Rocketdyne to GE Aerospace also showcased her adaptability—moving from rocket propulsion systems to aircraft engines while maintaining the same exacting standards for manufacturing excellence. “This is an iconic company with a rich history of delivering innovative products that have helped preserve the national security of the United States and its allies. I can’t wait to join this team and begin serving our customers,” Gowder said upon joining GE.
Leading Through Industry Transformation
Under Gowder’s leadership, GE Aerospace Defense & Systems isn’t just maintaining existing manufacturing capabilities—it’s pioneering the future of military aviation technology. The defense aerospace sector is experiencing unprecedented technological evolution, from advanced materials and additive manufacturing to AI-driven predictive maintenance systems.
Gowder’s diverse background positions her uniquely to navigate this transformation. Her finance acumen ensures sustainable growth strategies, her operations expertise drives manufacturing efficiency, and her P&L experience keeps customer needs at the center of every decision.
The Future of Defense Manufacturing
As Gowder continues to lead one of the world’s largest defense manufacturing operations, her focus remains on the intersection of innovation and reliability. In an industry where failure isn’t an option, she’s building manufacturing systems that can adapt to evolving threats while maintaining the consistency that military customers demand.
Her leadership represents more than operational success—it demonstrates how diverse career experiences, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment to excellence can transform manufacturing organizations at the highest level. In a sector traditionally dominated by technical specialists, Gowder proves that multidisciplinary leadership creates sustainable competitive advantage.
For an industry tasked with defending nations, Amy Gowder isn’t just manufacturing engines—she’s manufacturing peace of mind for military forces worldwide.
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