Manager - Engineering, Interiors

Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network.

Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together.

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 broad spectrum of experience and skills to lead the way forward.

Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network.

Create what’s next with us. Let’s define tomorrow together!

At United, we operate some of the world's best aircraft. Our Technical Operations team comprises aircraft maintenance technicians, engineers, planners, ground equipment and facilities professionals, and supply chain teams that ensure they’re well-equipped and ready to transport our customers to their desired destinations. If you’re prepared to work on our planes, join our Tech Ops experts and help keep our fleet in tip-top shape.

Key Responsibilities

The Manager – Engineering, Interiors is a player-coach role combining the technical responsibilities of a Principal Engineer with people-leadership duties. This position owns the engineering oversight of aircraft cabin and interior systems , including seating, galleys, lavatories, monuments, lighting, and in-flight entertainment, and provides direct operational engineering support for interiors-related aircraft and component issues.

This role leads and develops a team of 3–7 interiors engineers, with responsibility for resource planning, work assignments, coaching and employee development, as well as performance management and leadership administrative duties, such as timecard and expense report approvals (list not exhaustive). The role reglarly interfaces with OEMs, the FAA, and other industry stakeholders to ensure regulatory compliance and support interior system reliability and enhancements.

• Perform engineering duties as a subject matter expert for aircraft interiors, aligned with the Principal Engineer's responsibilities
• Review and approve interiors engineering documentation to ensure technical accuracy and regulatory compliance
• Own and present project status, risks, and issue resolution at departmental and leadership meetings
• Engage with OEMs, FAA, and external partners on interiors-related technical issues and industry trends
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to team members to support engagement and career growth

Location & Schedule:

This role is based at the CSC – Willis Tower in Chicago, IL, and follows a hybrid work schedule with three days per week in-office (subject to change).

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace) or related technical field, or equivalent experience.
• 2–4 years of experience at a Principal Engineer level or similar role within the airline or aerospace industry.
• Demonstrated engineering expertise applicable to aircraft interiors and cabin systems, with working knowledge of aircraft systems, maintenance programs, and engines, and project-based work.
• Proven ability to analyze complex technical issues and manage projects involving regulatory compliance modifications.
• Familiarity with Boeing and/or Airbus aircraft.
• Excellent verbal communication and technical writing skills.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.
• Successful completion of an interview is required to meet job qualifications.

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

• Airline industry experience, preferably in aircraft interiors or cabin engineering.
• Advanced engineering degree.
• Experience working with Boeing and/or Airbus aircraft, including cabin configurations and interiors modifications.
• Knowledge of FAA regulations applicable to interiors engineering (FAR 25, 121, and 145).
• Experience with CATIA, AutoCAD, or similar engineering tools used for interiors layouts and modifications.
• Airframe and/or Powerplant (A&P) License.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

The base pay range for this role is $129,675.00 to $168,794.00.

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. United Airlines recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status and other protected status as required by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/LGBT.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions. Please contact [email protected] to request accommodation.