Engineer- Cabin Systems

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 an Engineer – Cabin Systems, you will provide engineering support for aircraft cabin systems, electrical equipment, maintenance programs, modifications, and operational engineering functions across United's fleet. This role evaluates the design, installation, operation, maintenance, performance, and repair of aircraft cabin systems and components to ensure safe, reliable, and regulatory-compliant operations.

The Engineer applies analytical and problem-solving skills to investigate technical issues, evaluate aircraft configurations, and develop engineering solutions that improve aircraft reliability, functionality, and asset utilization. This position supports fleet maintenance and modification programs, assesses operational and financial impacts, and collaborates with internal teams, aircraft manufacturers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to resolve technical issues and support continued airworthiness. Assignments may span multiple engineering departments based on business needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Review Service Bulletins (SBs) from aircraft and component manufacturers to determine applicability, effectivity, and potential impact across United's fleet.
• Perform engineering evaluations of aircraft cabin systems, electrical equipment, and components to identify technical issues, assess performance, and develop engineering recommendations.
• Support the specification, installation, modification, and maintenance of aircraft cabin electrical equipment, ensuring functionality, reliability, and lifecycle management.
• Conduct troubleshooting, root cause investigations, and failure analysis to identify corrective actions and improve aircraft system reliability.
• Develop engineering solutions, implementation plans, project justifications, and cost-benefit analyses. Support project execution, including coordination of FAA approvals and warranty recovery opportunities.
• Establish and manage project priorities and 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 support continued airworthiness, safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Provide technical recommendations and project management support for regulatory compliance initiatives and aircraft modifications.
• Evaluate engineering recommendations and equipment configurations to determine operational, financial, maintenance, and lifecycle impacts.

Note: This position is based at the Corporate Support Center (CSC) – Willis Tower in Chicago, IL. This hybrid role requires three days onsite per week and approximately 50% domestic and international travel to support aircraft engineering projects and operational needs.

Qualifications

What's Needed to Succeed (Minimum Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, a related technical field, or equivalent work experience.
• 0–5 years of relevant engineering experience.
• Foundational engineering knowledge and technical skills applicable to aircraft cabin systems, electrical equipment, maintenance programs, or operational engineering functions.
• Ability to analyze complex technical issues, interpret data, and develop practical engineering recommendations.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Excellent verbal communication and technical writing skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated understanding of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools, with the ability to leverage them for research, analysis, content creation, and problem-solving. Ability to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs while adhering to company policies regarding 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 essential to the position.
• Ability to travel approximately 50%, both domestically and internationally.

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 maintaining aircraft cabin electrical equipment, with an emphasis on functionality, reliability, and lifecycle management.
• Experience supporting aircraft maintenance checks, heavy maintenance, or modification programs on Boeing and/or Airbus aircraft.

• Familiarity with aircraft maintenance documentation, engineering specifications, and manufacturer technical documentation.

• FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate or applicable engineering/technical license or certification.
• Experience working with Supplemental Type Certificate projects and OD Administration.
• Experience reading, interpreting, and creating wiring diagrams, as well as other aircraft maintenance manuals.