Senior Line Engineer

United Airlines; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Parental leave

Employee assistance program

Commuter benefits

Paid holidays

Paid time off

401(k) with flight privileges

Job summary

United Airlines in Houston is seeking a Senior Line Engineer to serve as on-site engineering authority for aircraft with significant maintenance issues, troubleshoot complex discrepancies, and drive timely return-to-service decisions.

You will work with maintenance, operations, and OEMs, interpreting data and regulatory requirements to develop repair instructions, with a focus on safety and reliability; shift work including nights and weekends is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of airline, OEM, or aviation engineering experience supporting operational aircraft.
• Strong knowledge of Boeing and/or Airbus systems, structures, and maintenance practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead Aircraft Recovery Efforts: troubleshoot complex issues, develop repair solutions, drive return-to-service decisions.
• Support Safe and Efficient Operations: provide technical guidance during overnight/line maintenance for safe and compliant maintenance.
• Partner with Operational Teams: collaborate with Maintenance, Flight Ops, Engineering and OEMs to resolve issues while ensuring safety and reliability.
• Provide Technical Authority: interpret data, manuals, and regulatory requirements to develop repair instructions and corrective actions.
• Support Fleet Reliability Improvements: identify recurring issues and propose repair solutions to enhance fleet reliability.

Skills

AOG experience

FAA regulations

Engineering judgment

Time-critical decisions

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CATIA

AUTOCAD

Job description

Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network.

Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together.

Description

At United, we have some of the best aircraft in the world. Our Technical Operations team is full of aircraft maintenance technicians, engineers, planners, ground equipment and facilities professionals, and supply chain teams that help make sure they’re well taken care of 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 responsibilities

The Senior Line Engineer serves as the on-site engineering authority for aircraft experiencing significant maintenance issues that threaten operational reliability and on-time performance. Working directly alongside maintenance technicians, Operations, and Engineering teams, this role provides real-time technical leadership to troubleshoot complex aircraft discrepancies, develop safe and compliant repair solutions, and expedite the return of aircraft to service. As a critical operational resource, the Senior Line Engineer balances safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency while minimizing disruptions to the airline's network. This role requires strong technical expertise, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to make timely decisions in a fast-paced airport environment.

• Lead Aircraft Recovery Efforts – Provide immediate engineering support for aircraft out-of-service events by troubleshooting complex technical issues, developing repair solutions, and driving timely return-to-service decisions.
• Support Safe and Efficient Operations – Serve as the engineering liaison during overnight and line maintenance activities, providing technical guidance that enables safe, compliant, and efficient aircraft maintenance across the operation.
• Partner with Operational Teams – Work closely with Maintenance, Maintenance Control, Flight Operations, Engineering, and OEMs to resolve critical aircraft issues while ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and operational reliability.
• Provide Technical Authority – Interpret engineering data, aircraft manuals, and regulatory requirements to develop and approve repair instructions, engineering dispositions, and corrective actions for in-service aircraft.

• Support Fleet Reliability Improvements – Leverage firsthand operational experience to identify recurring aircraft issues and maintenance trends, providing recommendations and proposed repair solutions to Fleet Engineering teams to enhance fleet reliability and reduce future operational disruptions.

  In addition to base pay, this role includes a $10,000 role-specific premium, separate and additional from the listed base pay range.

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree or related experience in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace), related technical field or equivalent relative work experience
• Senior Line Engineer I: 5-8 years
• Senior Line Engineer II: 8 years +
• 5+ years of airline, OEM, or aviation engineering experience supporting operational aircraft.
• Advanced knowledge of Boeing and/or Airbus aircraft systems, structures, and maintenance practices.
• Demonstrated experience supporting Aircraft on Ground (AOG) events and operational aircraft recovery.
• Strong knowledge of FAA regulations, continued airworthiness requirements, and engineering authorization processes.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound engineering decisions in time-critical operational environments.
• Detailed knowledge of commercial aircraft systems, structures, avionics, or powerplant systems, with an emphasis on structural background
• Working knowledge of FAA regulations, continued airworthiness requirements, and aircraft maintenance practices.
• Ability to interpret and apply engineering drawings, maintenance manuals, OEM documentation, and technical data
• Must be available to work any shift including nights and weekends as well as holidays
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

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

• Specific ATA experience
• OEM Structural Repairs for Engineers Training (Boeing/Airbus) with portfolio of designing major repairs for aircraft structures; metallic or composite
• Work within specific ATA Airline Chapters
• Airline or Industry experience with general ATA Chapters which could encompass, aircraft systems, structures, power plant and avionics disciplines
• Excellent communication and technical writing ability
• Knowledge of FARS (specifically parts 21, 25, 26, 43, 121, & 145)
• CATIA/AUTOCAD experience

The base pay range for this role is $100,415.00 to $130,758.00.

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]