Principal Engineer – Galley Modifications & Upgrades (Leighton Buzzard, United Kingdom)
Responsibilities
- Lead a global team of multi‑disciplined engineers to develop aircraft interior products and be accountable to internal and external stakeholders for delivery of assigned work packages.
- Drive measurable performance using defined KPIs and ensure consistency across all project phases.
- Own the engineering responsibility for Galley upgrade projects such as in‑service product modification, Trim and Finish (T&F) changes, insert products, cabin reconfigurations, customisation and rebranding for top‑tier airlines.
- Evaluate, verify and design structural modifications to meet certification requirements and Airworthiness Authority regulations.
- Manage all aspects of engineering requirements, from receiving customer specifications to releasing fully verified engineered artifacts.
- Think strategically to identify optimal program approaches, prototype and testing requirements, and risk opportunities.
- Conduct design review meetings to align stakeholders on program design, assumptions and approaches.
- Lead individual design engineers in studies and investigations that support quotations.
- Develop customer relationships based on transparency and trust.
- Act as technical interface for all internal and external stakeholders.
- Author, check and approve technical documentation within delegated authority.
- Co‑coach and review work from cross‑functional teams, building a foundation of design check and approval signatories.
- Monitor, report and act on key performance and leading indicators to ensure predictable outcomes.
- Provide mentorship to develop team technical acumen and obtain signatory authorization.
- Validate sequencing of tasks, dependencies and critical path accuracy.
Qualifications
- Leader mentality with a drive to improve, take on challenges and provide input.
- At least five years of experience in a technical engineering role; STEM degree highly desirable.
- Prior experience designing mechanical/electrical systems for commercial aircraft seating products.
- Expertise in structural analysis across all classical static analysis methods.
- Experience with FAA/EASA certification requirements a plus.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to achieve outcomes through dialogue with stakeholders.
- Understanding of the aircraft interiors industry, including certification, product development and customer expectations.
- Prior or current M1020 Check and Approval signatory experience highly desirable.
- Knowledge of aircraft structural engineering principles.
Benefits
- A competitive salary.
- Bonus scheme.
- Industry‑leading pension scheme (double match contribution up to 10%).
- Private healthcare.
- Life assurance and group income protection scheme participation.
- Employee assistance programme and flexible benefits platform.
- Annual leave buy/sell scheme to support work‑life balance.
- Flexible working arrangements in a clean, safe, and modern environment.
RTX adheres to the principles of equal employment. All qualified applications will be given careful consideration without regard to ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
