Director, Engineering

Atlas Air • Erlanger, KY

83d • $168,500 - $227,500

About The Position

The Director of Engineering provides strategic leadership and oversight of all aircraft engineering activities within the company. This role ensures compliance with all aviation regulatory requirements, drives technical excellence, and supports the safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of the fleet. The Director leads a team of engineers and technical staff, collaborates with maintenance, operations, and safety departments, and implements continuous improvement initiatives to enhance aircraft performance and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering (master's preferred).
• Professional Engineering (PE) license or equivalent certification an asset.
• Minimum 10-15 years of progressive experience in aircraft engineering or technical operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of airworthiness regulations, maintenance programs, and engineering documentation requirements.
• Proven experience managing fleet reliability, modification programs, and engineering projects.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage budgets, contracts, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong problem-solving mindset with a focus on safety, compliance, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Engineering Departments, including aircraft structures, avionics, systems.
• Ensure all engineering activities comply with applicable aviation authorities (FAA, EASA, Transport Canada, etc.) and company policies.
• Develop and implement engineering strategies to optimize fleet reliability, availability, and cost efficiency.
• Oversee aircraft modifications, repairs, airworthiness directives (ADs), and service bulletin (SB) compliance.
• Coordinate the provisioning of 24/7 technical support to Maintenance Control, Line Maintenance, and Heavy Maintenance teams.
• Manage relationships with OEMs, regulatory bodies, and third-party vendors.
• Direct the preparation and management of engineering budgets and resource allocation.
• Establish and monitor performance metrics for fleet reliability and engineering productivity.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action processes for technical issues and delays.
• Support fleet acquisition, lease return, and aircraft transition projects.
• Mentor and develop engineering staff, ensuring a strong pipeline of technical talent.
• Participate in industry working groups, steering committees, meetings and conferences.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Air Transportation
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree