Principal Engineer

How you'll help us Keep Climbing (overview & key responsibilities)

The primary responsibility of this position is to perform fatigue and damage tolerance analysis on commercial aircraft structural repairs and alterations in support of supplemental inspections for compliance with 14 CFR 25.571 and 14 CFR 121.1109. This position reports to the Manager of ODA Engineering and works closely with liaison engineering, fleet engineering, wifi engineering, NDT inspection, and external vendors.

The position will undertake tasks & responsibilities including but not limited to:

• Development of technical analysis for aircraft structural repairs and alterations that ensure compliance with fatigue and damage tolerance related regulations, which may include classical static strength methods, fatigue and damage tolerance, finite element analysis methods and validation, all with understanding of regulatory requirements

• Review structural compatibility issues of repairs and alterations with installed or planned STC installations; development of necessary data to support supplemental actions if required

• Authors technical reports or Engineering Authorizations to document analysis, results, and conclusions, and checks technical documents from other engineers

• Perform failure analysis of airframe or system components via metallographic and fractographic characterization as appropriate using conventional laboratory and microscopy techniques

• Representing DAL in industry-wide efforts or with local or various FAA representatives

• Supporting Safety Event Team efforts through analysis-based recommendations

• Maintaining compliance with applicable federal regulations (mostly applicable 14 CFR Part 43, 25, 121, and 145 sections), foreign regulatory requirements and Delta's Technical Operations Policy and Procedures (TOPP) and all other engineering processes

• Revising numerous Engineering documents

• Other miscellaneous structures-related support requiring an ability to investigate and/or develop new or unfamiliar analytical methods

• Collaboration and communication with Manufacturers and the FAA ACO and FSDO/CMO.

• Off-hour/weekend operational support may be required, on occasion, due to critical requirements

• Occasional travel is required as part of the job role

Benefits and Perks to Help You Keep Climbing

Our culture is rooted in a shared dedication to living our values - Care, Integrity, Resilience, Servant Leadership, and Teamwork - every day, in everything we do. At Delta, our people are our success. At the heart of what we offer is our focus on Sharing Success with Delta employees. Exploring a career at Delta gives you a chance to see the world while earning great compensation and benefits to help you keep climbing along the way:

• Competitive salary, industry-leading profit sharing program, and performance incentives

• 401(k) with generous company contributions up to 9%

• Paid time off including vacation, holidays, paid personal time, maternity and parental leave

• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, short/long term disability and life benefits

• Family care assistance through fertility support, surrogacy and adoption assistance, lactation support, subsidized back-up care, and programs that help with loved ones in all stages

• Holistic Wellbeing programs to support physical, emotional, social, and financial health, including access to an employee assistance program offering support for you and anyone in your household, free financial coaching, and extensive resources supporting mental health

• Domestic and International space-available flight privileges for employees and eligible family members

• Career development programs to achieve your long-term career goals

• World-wide partnerships to engage in community service and innovative goals created to focus on sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint

• Business Resource Groups created to connect employees with common interests to promote inclusion, provide perspective and help implement strategies

• Recognition rewards and awards through the platform Unstoppable Together

• Access to over 500 discounts, specialty savings and voluntary benefits through Deltaperks such as car and hotel rentals and auto, home, and pet insurance, legal services, and childcare

What you need to succeed (minimum qualifications)

• Bachelors' Degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Materials, or similar) with 8+ yrs relevant work experience is required. Alternately, Masters' Degree in Engineering with 6+ yrs relevant experience, or Ph.D. Degree in Engineering with 5 yrs of applied relevant engineering experience. Candidate with less experience will be considered at Grade 7, Senior Engineer.

• Candidate must have a safety-first mindset.

• Must have strong customer service orientation and relationship management skills, strong project management skills; written and verbal communication skills; multi-tasking abilities; proven results-orientation; and strong analytical, organizational and time management skills.

• Previous airline, military, OEM or MRO experience with commercial aircraft is strongly preferred. Familiarity with airline flight operations and support systems, 14 CFR 121 regulations and 14 CFR 145 repair station regulations are desired.

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products and AUTOCAD, or similar, desired.

• Proven ability to perform aircraft structural repair design and analysis is required.

• Working knowledge of aircraft structural design, aircraft load conditions, and mechanics of materials.

• Proven ability to conduct structural analysis, Finite Element Analysis, and crack growth analysis using commercially available tools such as Solidworks, NASGRO, AFGROW, etc.

• The ability to author Engineering Authorizations, with a working understanding of Airworthiness Directives, Federal Aviation Regulations, technical manuals, and aircraft maintenance programs.

• Knowledge of both Airbus and Boeing structure/components strongly preferred.

• Work is performed without appreciable direction. Considerable latitude is provided in determining technical objectives of assignment. High impact work requires minor review.

• Extensive knowledge and technical expertise related to the principles, theories, and concepts pertaining to his/her job function. A wide knowledge of other engineering related disciplines is also desired. Accurately anticipates the not so obvious impact of various solutions to technical problems. Provides feasible alternatives to solve complex problems which require the regular use of ingenuity and creativity. Provides technical guidance, assistance, and work direction to Senior Engineers and Engineers.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with all levels of Maintenance, Planning, and Engineering, as well as representatives from the FAA and outside companies.

• Existing FAA DER/ODA UM, DER/ODA UM candidate, or ability to obtain is highly desired

• Internal candidates must be performing satisfactorily in current position.

• Grade 8/Principal Engineer qualifications listed above. If candidate does not meet Grade 8 requirements, they may be considered for Grade 7/Senior Engineer

• Consistently prioritizes safety and security of self, others, and personal data.

• Embraces diverse people, thinking, and styles.

• Possesses a high school diploma, GED, or high school equivalency.

• Is at least 18 years of age and has authorization to work in the United States.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications)

N/A