Structures & Payload Design Engineer 3

ACL Digital; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

ACL Digital in North Charleston, SC is seeking a Structures & Payload Design Engineer 3 to design, integrate, and document structural and interior payload systems for commercial aircraft. You will oversee the full product lifecycle from customer configuration to production, validation, and regulatory certification.

The role requires a BS in Engineering and 5+ years of design or certification experience, with FAA Title 14 Part 25 knowledge a plus.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Aerospace, Aeronautical, or Materials).
• 5+ years in engineering design, system integration, or certification.

Responsibilities

• System & component design of structural and interior payload components (BFE Monuments, Lavatories, Galleys, Lighting, Cargo Compartments, and Livery).
• Establish and validate design requirements to ensure regulatory and safety compliance.
• Coordinate with project engineering, production, suppliers, and regulators for integrated solutions.
• Manage supplier development, testing, and production activities.
• Create and refine design/analysis tools and processes to improve quality and efficiency.

Skills

Engineering design

System integration

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Tools

3D CAD tools

Job description

Location: North Charleston, SC (Onsite)

Contract Duration: 6 Months (Option to extend)

Work Schedule: 1st Shift (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

Pay Rate: $75 / hr on W2

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Structures & Payload Design Engineer 3 to join the Payloads Engineering Organization in North Charleston, SC. In this role, you will design, integrate, and document structural and interior payload systems for commercial aircraft. You will work across the complete product lifecycle—from initial customer configuration and supplier engagement through production, validation, and regulatory certification.

Key Responsibilities

• System & Component Design: Develop, maintain, and modify structural and interior payload components (BFE Monuments, Lavatories, Galleys, Lighting, Cargo Compartments, and Livery) using 3D CAD tools.
• Requirements & Compliance: Establish and validate structural and interior payload design requirements to ensure compliance with regulatory and safety standards.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with project engineering, production operations, suppliers, and air travel regulators to deliver integrated solutions.
• Supplier Management: Coordinate supplier development, testing, and production activities to optimize design outcomes and achieve program goals.
• Process Improvement: Create and refine design/analysis tools and processes to enhance development quality and efficiency.

Basic Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Aerospace, Aeronautical, or Material Sciences).
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in engineering design, system integration, or certification (or an equivalent combination of advanced education and experience).

Preferred Qualifications

• Regulatory Compliance: Strong working knowledge of FAA Title 14 Part 25 and/or EASA equivalent standards.
• Domain Expertise: Experience in commercial aircraft interiors, cargo handling systems, materials/properties, and engineering release processes.
• Design for Manufacturing: Hands-on experience applying DFM principles within an active production/manufacturing environment.
• Project Leadership: Experience leading cross-functional teams, managing project schedules, assessing risks, and coordinating supplier engagement.