Engineer- Structures

United; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flight privileges

Medical, dental, vision

401(k)

Parental leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

United Airlines in Chicago seeks an Engineer – Structures to provide engineering support for aircraft structures and maintenance programs across the fleet. You will evaluate structural integrity, design configurations, and support regulatory compliance with FAA approvals and warranty considerations.

You will interpret drawings, SRMs/AMMs, perform failure analyses, and collaborate with internal teams, suppliers and manufacturers to deliver reliable, cost-effective solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 0–5 years engineering experience in aircraft structures or related area.
• Interpret technical docs, drawings, and maintenance data.
• Analyze technical issues and propose practical solutions.
• Strong communication and writing skills; MS Office proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Review SBs, ADs, and docs to assess applicability and impact.
• Evaluate structural issues, damages, repairs, and modifications.
• Interpret drawings, SRMs, AMMs, and maintenance data.
• Support troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and failure investigations.
• Develop engineering solutions and cost-benefit analyses; assist FAA approvals.
• Manage priorities for projects affecting maintenance programs and revisions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, manufacturers, and suppliers.
• Assess impacts of recommended repairs and solutions.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Project management

Technical writing

Verbal communication

MS Office

AI literacy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SRMs

AMMs

Microsoft Office

Job description

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 – Structures, you will provide engineering support for aircraft structures, maintenance programs, repairs, modifications, and operational engineering functions across United's fleet. This role evaluates aircraft structural integrity, design configurations, maintenance requirements, performance, and repair solutions to ensure safe, reliable, and regulatory‑compliant operations.

The Engineer applies analytical and problem‑solving skills to assess structural issues, develop engineering recommendations, evaluate aircraft configurations, and support fleet maintenance and modification programs. Responsibilities include conducting technical evaluations, investigating failures, assessing operational and financial impacts, and developing solutions that optimize aircraft reliability and asset utilization. The role 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), Airworthiness Directives (ADs), and other manufacturer technical documentation to determine applicability, effectivity, and potential impact across United's fleet.
• Perform engineering evaluations of aircraft structural issues, damage assessments, repairs, and modifications to develop appropriate technical solutions.
• Interpret aircraft drawings, engineering specifications, Structural Repair Manuals (SRMs), Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMMs), and other technical documentation to support engineering decisions.
• Support troubleshooting, root cause investigations, and failure analysis to identify corrective actions and improve aircraft reliability.
• Develop engineering solutions, implementation plans, project justifications, and cost‑benefit analyses. Support project execution, including coordination of required FAA approvals and warranty recovery opportunities.
• Establish and manage priorities for assigned projects, ensuring timely completion of deliverables supporting line and base maintenance, maintenance program changes, and technical specification revisions.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional operational teams, aircraft manufacturers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to ensure continued airworthiness, safety, regulatory compliance, operational reliability, and efficiency.
• Evaluate engineering recommendations and repair solutions to assess operational, financial, and maintenance impacts.

NOTE: This position is based at the CSC – Willis Tower in Chicago, IL. This position follows a hybrid work schedule with an expectation of three days onsite per week.

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent work experience).
• Entry level to 5 years of engineering work experience
• Foundational engineering knowledge and technical skills applicable to aircraft structures, systems, maintenance programs, and operational engineering functions.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, engineering specifications, drawings, and manufacturer maintenance data.
• Ability to analyze technical issues, evaluate available data, and develop practical engineering recommendations.
• Strong analytical, critical‑thinking, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced operational environment.
• Excellent verbal communication and technical writing skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools and effectively leverages them for research, analysis, content creation, and problem‑solving. Applies critical thinking to validate AI‑generated outputs while adhering to company policies related to 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 an essential function of the position

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

• Completion of Boeing and/or Airbus Structures I training or equivalent aircraft structures training.
• FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate or applicable engineering/technical license or certification.
• Experience supporting aircraft maintenance checks, heavy maintenance, or aircraft modification programs on Boeing and/or Airbus aircraft.
• Experience with aircraft structural repairs, damage assessments, or engineering evaluations.
• Familiarity with aircraft maintenance documentation, including Structural Repair Manuals (SRMs), Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMMs), and Service Bulletins.
• Knowledge of FAA regulations, including FAR Parts 25, 121, and 145.
• Experience working with aircraft manufacturers, suppliers, maintenance teams, and engineering stakeholders.

The base pay range for this role is $83,695.00 to $109,004.00. 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. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact [e-mail]