Principal Engineer

Comlux America • Indianapolis, IN

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Engineer serves as a senior technical authority within Engineering, providing technical leadership and guidance for complex aircraft interior completion and modification projects. This includes large interior completion STC projects for transport category aircraft and modifications to executive aircraft undergoing maintenance. The role also supports the development of engineering talent by mentoring less experienced engineers and contributing to the Engineering organization’s effectiveness.

The Principal Engineer works closely with Technical Leads, Project Engineers, Designers, Supervisors, Project Management, Sales, Interior Design, Production, Quality, vendors, regulatory approval authorities, customers, and senior leadership. The position helps ensure engineering solutions are technically sound, manufacturable, compliant, and aligned with customer and project requirements. It primarily operates in an engineering office, with routine work possible in aircraft hangars, production areas, and other operational areas. Occasional domestic or international travel may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 15 years of progressive experience in aerospace engineering design, analysis, aircraft modification, completion, or certification.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership on complex aerospace engineering projects.
• Advanced knowledge of aircraft certification and modification requirements.
• Experience with FAA and EASA regulatory requirements and approval processes.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop engineers and provide technical guidance across multiple experience levels.
• Valid passport and ability to travel internationally as required.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Advanced understanding of aerospace engineering principles and their application to aircraft design, modification, integration, and certification.
• Advanced understanding of FAA and EASA regulations governing aircraft certification and modification.
• Advanced understanding of aircraft installations, systems integration, and aircraft interior modifications.
• Ability to evaluate complex technical issues and develop practical, technically sound solutions.
• Ability to provide authoritative technical guidance while balancing regulatory, customer, schedule, cost, manufacturability, and operational considerations.
• Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, models, specifications, technical data, and documentation associated with aircraft modifications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other standard business applications.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
• Strong understanding of engineering documentation, configuration control, technical specifications, and design review processes.
• Ability to communicate technical issues and recommendations clearly, assertively, professionally, and tactfully.
• Ability to present advanced technical concepts through written and verbal communication to engineers, leadership, customers, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Strong technical leadership, mentoring, and coaching abilities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, time-management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently, make sound technical decisions, and operate effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Ability to influence technical decisions and build alignment across Engineering and other functional organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to engineering quality, regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, and professional development.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with aircraft interior modifications, aircraft completion, STC development, or related aircraft engineering activities.
• Experience supporting transport category aircraft and/or executive aircraft modifications.
• Advanced proficiency in either AutoCAD or SolidWorks.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical expert and provide engineering guidance, direction, and recommendations to the Engineering organization and senior leadership.
• Provide technical leadership for large and complex interior completion STC projects involving transport category aircraft and support complex modifications for executive aircraft.
• Review and coordinate departmental reviews of engineering models, drawings, analyses, technical documents, and design packages for interior modifications and STC projects.
• Guide Technical Leads and Project Engineers in developing, evaluating, and implementing engineering solutions.
• Support vendor coordination by assisting with technical specifications, evaluating vendor technical information, participating in Preliminary Design Review and Critical Design Review meetings, and providing technical direction as needed.
• Evaluate complex engineering problems and recommend design solutions, technical approaches, and resolutions to engineering issues.
• Coordinate technical design solutions with regulatory approval authorities and support engineering certification activities as required.
• Provide guidance on FAA, EASA, and other applicable aircraft certification requirements and ensure engineering solutions follow applicable regulations.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Interior Design, Production, Quality, Project Management, and other teams to ensure designs are practical, manufacturable, certifiable, and aligned with project requirements.
• Work with designers and engineering personnel to develop designs in accordance with industry best practices, internal processes, approved engineering methods, and applicable work instructions.
• Review engineering work products, provide feedback, and help establish appropriate technical approaches for complex projects.
• Provide technical guidance to Sales, Interior Design, Project Management, and Supervisors in developing concepts, project requirements, technical approaches, and quotations.
• Work with Supervisors and other Principal Engineers to identify, develop, and implement engineering process improvements and technical standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering methods, processes, tools, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Promote a positive engineering culture through technical leadership, professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and leading by example.
• Mentor less experienced engineers and provide technical coaching, feedback, and guidance to support their development.
• Share technical expertise, lessons learned, and industry best practices to support the development of engineering capabilities and knowledge.
• Help resolve complex technical issues requiring advanced engineering knowledge, experience, or cross-functional coordination.
• Communicate technical concepts, risks, recommendations, and solutions to technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leadership and customers as appropriate.
• Represent Engineering in technical meetings and cross-functional discussions and provide authoritative technical input when required.
• Maintain current knowledge of aircraft certification requirements, engineering practices, industry standards, and applicable FAA and EASA regulations.
• Provide timely, technically sound engineering guidance throughout the project lifecycle to support internal and external customer requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Benefits

• 401(k) with company annual contribution equal to 3% of eligible compensation.
• Company-sponsored HSA.
• 100% company-paid vision premiums.
• Medical, dental, and life insurance.
• EAP benefits.
• Free financial consultations and guidance.
• Competitive and comprehensive total rewards package that supports employees and their families.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal