Ken Harness

Ken Harness is the Senior Vice President of Product Development at Cirrus Aircraft. Ken has over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry, holding various positions in engineering and management.

Harness started their career as a Lead Engineer at Williams International, where they worked on developing engines for small aircraft. Ken then joined the United States Army, where they served as a Helicopter Company Commander and Test Pilot. After their military service, Harness worked for Sikorsky Aircraft as the Propulsion Manager. In 2000, they left Sikorsky to join Pratt & Whitney as the High Pressure Module Manager.

In 2001, Harness left Pratt & Whitney to join Eclipse Aviation as the Vice President of Engineering. Ken spent six years at Eclipse, during which time they oversaw the development and production of the Eclipse 500, the world’s first very light jet. In 2007, Harness left Eclipse to join Diamond Aircraft as the Chief Operating Officer. Ken spent two years at Diamond before leaving to start their own consulting firm, Harness Consulting Group, LLC.

In 2013, Harness joined The Highland Group as the Vice President of Product Development and Engineering. Ken spent four years at Highland before joining Cirrus Aircraft in 2017 as the Senior Vice President of Product Development.

Ken Harness has an MBA in Business Administration from Oakland University, a BS in Aviation Technology from Purdue University, and an AAS in Aviation Maintenance Technology from Purdue University. Ken is also certified by the Federal Aviation Administration as a Commercial Instrument Pilot - Multi-Engine Airplane and Helicopter and as an Airframe and Poweplant Mechanic.

Ken Harness reports to Zean Nielsen, CEO. They are on a team with Michelle Roemer - SVP, Information Technology, Brandon Pavlish - VP, Quality & Continuous Improvement, and Curtis Landherr - SVP & General Counsel.