Principal Design Engineer

Airbus Americas; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Airbus Americas in Wichita seeks a Senior Design Engineer to lead structural design and installations for airframes, using CATIA V5, 3DExperience and SAP/VPM to generate high‑quality datasets and product structures.

Requirements include a BS in Engineering and 13 years of airframe design experience, strong English communication, and the ability to mentor teams and drive major projects. This on‑site role on the Wichita campus offers a competitive salary and extensive development opportunities.

Qualifications

• BS in engineering with aero, civil or mechanical focus.
• Minimum 13 years total design experience with airframes.
• Authorized to work in the US and able to lead complex designs.
• Proficient in CATIA V5 and 3DExperience and multiple CATIA workbenches.
• Strong communication and ability to mentor across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead design efforts for metallic and non-metallic airframe parts and systems.
• Create and modify design datasets and product structures with SAP, CATIA, and VPM.
• Collaborate with static stress, fatigue, and other departments to solve complex problems.
• Mentor designers and lead major projects to meet milestones.
• Present technical results to management and customers; drive process improvements.

Skills

CATIA V5

3DExperience

MS Excel

Google Suite

English communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Aero, Civil, Mechanical)

Tools

CATIA workbenches

SAP

VPM

Job description

Job Description:

Position Summary

This position supports new design and modifications of aircraft structures and/or systems and is responsible for the creation of quality solutions on time from a Design point of view. Duties include performing design efforts for both metallic and non-metallic parts along with system installations (electrical, hydraulic, fuel) while working in close collaboration with static stress and fatigue colleagues. Methods include the use of multiple applications to develop efficient solutions to satisfy design and/or system installation principles.

Meet the team:

Our Engineers have the privilege of working on complex, highly engineered machines and are involved at all stages of the aircraft life cycle, from product development to manufacturing and direct support to our airline customers. If you're interested in designing, creating, and testing the present and future of Airbus products across the globe, join our mission to connect the world.

Your working environment:

Located on the Wichita State University (WSU) innovation campus is Airbus' first dedicated engineering facility outside of Europe.

How we care for you:

• Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes, retirement savings plan and the ability to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP")
• Work/Life Balance: Paid time off including personal time, holidays and a generous paid parental leave program.
• Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan ("EAP") and other supplemental benefit coverages.
• Individual Development: Upskilling and development opportunities through our global Leadership University, including unlimited access to 10,000+ e-learning courses focusing on ways to develop your employability, certifications, career path as well as the opportunity to participate in accelerated development programmes and both national and international mobility.

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and accessibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.

Your challenges:

• Work on unusually complex technical problems and provide solutions which are highly innovative and ingenious.
• Create or modify technical documents such as: Design Datasets, Product Structures, etc. within various Airbus computer based applications/toolsets (SAP, CATIA, VPM, etc.). with high quality and efficiency.
• Collaborate with other (internal/external) technical departments to solve complex technical problems.
• Develops advanced technological ideas and guide their development into a final product.
• Utilize technical signatory and develop others in acquiring signatory.

• Mentor less experienced designers/design engineers and provide leadership and guidance of a highly complex range of problems.
• Lead aspects of major projects successfully.
• Set broad objectives with timelines and establish the tasks required and how they should be completed.
• Demonstrate a high level of listening and speaking capabilities with all levels of management, internal and external.
• Determine and pursue courses of action necessary to obtain desired results.
• Serve as a spokesperson on advanced projects and an advisor to management and customers on technical matters.
• Identify and support local improvement initiatives to increase team efficiency through process, methods and tools improvements.

Your boarding pass:

• Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in Engineering (Aero, Civil, Mechanical) with a strong curriculum emphasis on structural design and analysis and mechanics of materials.
• Minimum thirteen (13) years total experience in design with airframe structures and/or system installation projects
• Authorized to Work in the US
• Position requires in-depth knowledge of technical principles of design, theories, and concepts. Applied knowledge of design documentation, techniques and procedures.
• Capable of working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment both independently and collectively.
• Dependable, self-motivated and accessible.
• Team player demonstrating a positive & collaborative attitude.
• Able to lead teams technically to achieve agreed milestones.
• Demonstrate a refined approach to communication that resolves problems, facilitates consensus, and focuses on objectives
• Able to represent Engineering in presentations at any Airbus related activity
• Strong computer background, including MS Excel and Google Suite application experience (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail)
• CATIA V5 and/or 3DExperience; Proven skills in multiple CATIA workbenches.

• Must be able to communicate effectively in English (verbal and written)
• Interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interface with all levels of personnel and disciplines.
• Demonstrates a high level of listening and speaking capabilities with all levels of management, internal and external
• Displays model writing skills for others to emulate

• Must be able to communicate effectively in English (verbal and written)
• Interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interface with all levels of personnel and disciplines.
• Demonstrates a high level of listening and speaking capabilities with all levels of management, internal and external
• Displays model writing skills for others to emulate

Preferred

• Software coding in C, C++, Python, or other programming languages
• Working knowledge of Airbus Structures
• Experience in metallic/composite airframe structure and/or system installation of electrical harnesses, fuel lines, hydraulic systems.
• Master's Degree in an Engineering discipline
• Conversational French and/or German

Travel Required

• 5 % Domestic and International

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company's success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus Americas, Inc.

Employment Type:

US - Direct Hire

Experience Level:

Professional

Remote Type:

On-site

Job Family:

Structure Design & Integration

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Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

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Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [e-mail].