Role Description
The Principal Engineer serves as a seniortechnical authority within Engineering and provides technical leadership andguidance for complex aircraft interior completion and modification projects,including large interior completion STC projects for transport categoryaircraft and modifications for executive aircraft undergoing maintenance. This position plays a key role indeveloping engineering talent by mentoring less experienced engineers,providing technical coaching and feedback, and contributing to the continuedgrowth and effectiveness of the Engineering organization. This position works closely with Technical Leads,Project Engineers, Designers, Supervisors, Project Management, Sales, InteriorDesign, Production, Quality, and senior leadership to ensure engineeringsolutions are technically sound, manufacturable, compliant, and aligned withcustomer and project requirements.
Essential Job Functions
• Serves as a senior technical expert andprovides engineering guidance, direction, and recommendations to theEngineering organization and senior leadership.
• Provides technical leadership for large andcomplex interior completion STC projects involving transport category aircraftand supports complex modifications for executive aircraft.
• Reviews and coordinates departmental reviewof engineering models, drawings, analyses, technical documents, and designpackages supporting interior modifications and STC projects.
• Provides technical guidance to TechnicalLeads and Project Engineers in the development, evaluation, and implementationof engineering solutions.
• Supports vendor coordination by assistingwith technical specifications, evaluating vendor technical information,participating in Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review(CDR) meetings, and providing technical direction as required.
• Reviews complex engineering problems andprovides recommendations for design solutions, technical approaches, andresolution of engineering issues.
• Coordinates technical design solutions withregulatory approval authorities and supports engineering certificationactivities as required.
• Provides guidance regarding FAA, EASA, andother applicable aircraft certification requirements and ensures engineeringsolutions are developed in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Collaborates with Engineering, InteriorDesign, Production, Quality, Project Management, and other functional teams toensure designs are practical, manufacturable, certifiable, and aligned withproject requirements.
• Collaborates with designers and engineeringpersonnel to ensure designs are developed in accordance with industry bestpractices, internal processes, approved engineering methods, and applicablework instructions.
• Provides technical review and feedback onengineering work products and assists in establishing appropriate technicalapproaches for complex projects.
• Provides technical guidance to Sales,Interior Design, Project Management, and Supervisors in the development of newconcepts, project requirements, technical approaches, and project quotations.
• Works directly with Supervisors and otherPrincipal Engineers to identify, develop, and implement engineering processimprovements and technical standards.
• Identifies opportunities to improveengineering methods, processes, tools, documentation, and cross-functionalcollaboration.
• Promotes a positive engineering culturethrough technical leadership, professionalism, accountability, collaboration,and leading by example.
• Mentors less experienced engineers andprovides technical coaching, feedback, and guidance to support their personaland professional development.
• Supports the development of engineeringcapabilities and knowledge by sharing technical expertise, lessons learned, andindustry best practices.
• Assists in resolving complex technicalissues that require advanced engineering knowledge, experience, orcross-functional coordination.
• Communicates complex technical concepts,risks, recommendations, and solutions clearly to both technical andnon-technical audiences, including senior leadership and customers asappropriate.
• Represents Engineering in technical meetingsand cross-functional discussions and provides authoritative technical inputwhen required.
• Maintains current knowledge of aircraftcertification requirements, engineering practices, industry standards, andapplicable FAA and EASA regulations.
• Supports internal and external customerrequirements by providing timely, technically sound engineering guidancethroughout the project lifecycle.
• Performs other duties as assigned bymanagement.
Minimum Qualifications, Education andExperience
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace,Aeronautical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline, orequivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressiveexperience in aerospace engineering design, analysis, aircraft modification,completion, or certification.
• Demonstrated experience providing technicalleadership on complex aerospace engineering projects.
• Demonstrated experience with aircraftinterior modifications, aircraft completion, STC development, or relatedaircraft engineering activities preferred.
• Experience supporting transport categoryaircraft and/or executive aircraft modifications preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of aircraft certificationand modification requirements.
• Experience working with FAA and EASAregulatory requirements and approval processes.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and developengineers and provide technical guidance across multiple levels of experience.
• Valid passport with the ability to travelinternationally as required.
• Ability to read, write, speak, andunderstand the English language.
Required Skills and Abilities
• Advanced understanding of aerospaceengineering principles and their application to aircraft design, modification,integration, and certification.
• Advanced understanding of FAA and EASAregulations governing aircraft certification and modification.
• Advanced understanding of aircraftinstallations, systems integration, and aircraft interior modifications.
• Strong ability to evaluate complex technicalissues and develop practical, technically sound solutions.
• Ability to provide authoritative technicalguidance while balancing regulatory, customer, schedule, cost,manufacturability, and operational considerations.
• Ability to interpret complex engineeringdrawings, models, specifications, technical data, and documentation associatedwith aircraft modifications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel,PowerPoint, Outlook, and other standard business applications.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and SolidWorks;advanced proficiency in either platform is preferred.
• Strong understanding of engineeringdocumentation, configuration control, technical specifications, and designreview processes.
• Ability to communicate technical issues andrecommendations in a clear, assertive, professional, and tactful manner.
• Ability to present advanced technicalconcepts to engineers, leadership, customers, vendors, and other stakeholdersthrough written and verbal communication.
• Strong technical leadership, mentoring, andcoaching abilities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving,time-management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and make soundtechnical decisions while operating effectively within a cross-functional teamenvironment.
• Ability to influence technical decisions andbuild alignment across Engineering and other functional organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to engineeringquality, regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, and professionaldevelopment.
Work Environment
The Principal Engineer primarily works in anengineering office environment but may routinely work within aircraft hangars,production areas, and other operational areas to support aircraft completionand modification activities. The position may require interaction withaircraft, tooling, equipment, production personnel, vendors, customers, andregulatory representatives. Occasional travel, including international travel,may be required.
Why join us?
Your success is our success. We provide acompetitive and comprehensive total rewards package that supports you and yourfamily.
• 401(k) with company annual contributionequal to 3% of eligible compensation
• Company-sponsored HSA
• 100% company-paid vision premiums
• Medical, Dental, Life Insurance, and EAPbenefits
• Free financial consultations and guidance
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