Senior Engineer- Cabin Systems

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Description Find your future at United! We’re reinventing what our industry looks like and what an airline can be – from the planes we fly to the people who fly them. When you join us, you’re joining a global team of 100,000+ connected by a shared passion, with a wide spectrum of experience and skills to lead the way forward. Achieving our ambitions starts with supporting yours. Evolve your career and find your next opportunity. Get the care you need with industry-leading health plans and best-in-class programs to support your emotional, physical, and financial wellness. Expand your horizons with travel across the world’s biggest route network. Connect outside your team through employee-led Business Resource Groups. Create what’s next with us. Let’s define tomorrow together. At United, we have some of the best aircraft in the world. Our Technical Operations team includes aircraft maintenance technicians, engineers, planners, ground equipment and facilities professionals, and supply chain teams that help keep them well cared for and ready to get our customers to their desired destinations. If you’re ready to work on our planes, join our Tech Ops experts and help keep our fleet in tip-top shape.

Job Overview and Key Responsibilities:

As a Senior Engineer – Cabin Systems, you will provide advanced engineering support and technical leadership for aircraft cabin systems, electrical equipment, maintenance programs, modifications, and operational engineering functions across United's fleet. This role evaluates complex technical issues, manages system configurations, develops engineering solutions, and ensures the safe, reliable, and regulatory-compliant operation of aircraft cabin systems. The Senior Engineer applies advanced analytical and problem-solving skills to assess system performance, investigate failures, establish maintenance and configuration standards, and lead complex engineering projects. Responsibilities include developing technical recommendations, evaluating aircraft modifications, assessing operational and financial impacts, and implementing solutions that optimize system reliability, functionality, and asset utilization. The role serves as a technical resource for internal teams, aircraft manufacturers, suppliers, and other stakeholders while supporting continued airworthiness and regulatory compliance. Assignments may span multiple engineering departments based on business needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyze and resolve complex technical issues related to aircraft cabin systems, electrical equipment, components, design, operation, maintenance, performance, and modifications.
• Review Service Bulletins (SBs), Airworthiness Directives (ADs), and other manufacturer technical documentation to determine applicability, effectivity, and potential impact across United's fleet.
• Establish, develop, and manage aircraft maintenance programs, system configurations, and serviceability standards to ensure safe, reliable, and regulatory-compliant operations.
• Lead engineering evaluations, troubleshooting, root cause investigations, and failure analysis to identify corrective actions and improve aircraft system reliability.
• Develop and lead engineering solutions, implementation plans, project justifications, and cost-benefit analyses. Manage project execution, including coordination of required FAA approvals and warranty recovery opportunities.
• Provide technical ownership and subject matter expertise for assigned aircraft cabin systems, including evaluating system performance, reliability, modifications, and lifecycle management.
• Interpret and apply FAA regulations, airworthiness requirements, and manufacturer engineering specifications to support regulatory compliance and aircraft modifications.
• Establish and manage priorities for assigned projects, ensuring timely completion of deliverables supporting line and base maintenance, maintenance program changes, aircraft modifications, and technical specification revisions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional operational teams, aircraft manufacturers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to resolve technical issues and ensure continued airworthiness, safety, operational reliability, and efficiency.
• Evaluate engineering recommendations, equipment configurations, and fleet decisions to assess operational, financial, maintenance, and lifecycle impacts.

NOTE: This position is based at the CSC – Willis Tower in Chicago, IL. This position follows a hybrid work schedule with an expectation of three days onsite per week.

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, a related technical field, or equivalent work experience.
• 5–8 years of engineering work experience (Senior Engineer I) or 8+ years of engineering work experience (Senior Engineer II).
• Advanced engineering knowledge and technical expertise applicable to aircraft cabin systems, electrical equipment, maintenance programs, and operational engineering functions.
• Ability to interpret complex engineering documentation, OEM manuals, technical specifications, and manufacturer maintenance data.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex technical issues, lead investigations, and develop effective engineering solutions
• Experience leading and managing complex engineering projects involving regulatory compliance, aircraft modifications, and system performance.
• Ability to establish technical requirements, evaluate system configurations, and provide engineering recommendations that support continued airworthiness.
• In-depth knowledge of airline operations, FAA regulations, and aircraft airworthiness and design standards.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and lead projects in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Excellent verbal communication and technical writing skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools and effectively leverages them for research, analysis, content creation, and problem-solving. Applies critical thinking to validate AI-generated outputs while adhering to company policies related to responsible AI use, data privacy, and security.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship.
• Successful completion of an interview is required to meet job qualifications.
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position.

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

• Experience with aircraft cabin communications, cabin lighting, inflight entertainment (IFE), and onboard wireless communications (ATA Chapters 23, 33, and 44).
• Knowledge of FAA regulations, including FAR Parts 25, 121, and 145.
• Experience specifying, installing, modifying, and managing aircraft cabin electrical equipment, with an emphasis on functionality, reliability, and lifecycle management.
• Experience providing technical ownership and engineering support for aircraft cabin systems across Boeing and/or Airbus fleets.
• Experience supporting aircraft maintenance checks, heavy maintenance, or aircraft modification programs on Boeing and/or Airbus aircraft.
• Familiarity with aircraft maintenance documentation, engineering specifications, OEM manuals, and manufacturer technical documentation.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Completion of Boeing and/or Airbus Structures I training or equivalent aircraft technical training.
• FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate or applicable engineering/technical license or certification.

The base pay range for this role is $100,415.00 to $130,758.00. The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.

You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.

United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact JobAccommodations@united.com