The primary responsibility of this position is to perform failure analysis of various parts of commercial aircraft to support safety risk assessments and proposed corrective & mitigating actions. In addition, the role includes fatigue and damage tolerance analysis on aircraft structural repairs and alterations in support of supplemental inspections for compliance with 14 CFR 25.571 and 14 CFR 121.1109. This position reports to the Manager of ODA Engineering and works closely with liaison engineering, fleet engineering, wifi engineering, NDT inspection, and external vendors.

The position will undertake tasks & responsibilities including but not limited to:

• Perform failure analysis of airframe or system components via metallographic and fractographic characterization as appropriate using conventional laboratory and microscopy techniques; develop and endorse potential fleet-wide corrective actions based on the failure analysis
• Develop technical analysis for aircraft structural repairs and alterations that ensure compliance with fatigue and damage tolerance related regulations, which may include classical static strength methods, fatigue and damage tolerance, finite element analysis methods and validation, all with understanding of regulatory requirements
• Review structural compatibility issues of repairs and alterations with installed or planned STC installations; development of necessary data to support supplemental actions if required
• Author and revise technical reports or Engineering Authorizations to document analysis, results, and conclusions, and checks technical documents from other engineers
• Represent DAL in industry-wide efforts or with local or various FAA representatives
• Support Safety Event Team efforts through analysis-based recommendations
• Maintain compliance with applicable FAA, DOT, OSHA and EPA regulations, foreign regulatory requirements and Deltas Technical Operations Policy and Procedures (TOPP) and all other engineering processes
• Support other miscellaneous structures-related activities requiring an ability to investigate and/or develop new or unfamiliar analytical methods
• Collaborate and communicate with manufacturers and the FAA ACO and FSDO/CMO
• Off-hour/weekend operational support may be required, on rare occasion, due to critical requirements
• Occasional travel is required as part of the job role

• Bachelors’ Degree in Engineering (Materials, Aerospace, Mechanical, or similar) with 8+ yrs relevant work experience is required. Alternately, Masters’ Degree in Engineering with 6+ yrs relevant experience, or Ph.D. Degree in Engineering with 5 yrs of applied relevant engineering experience.
• Candidate must have a safety-first mindset.
• Must have strong customer service orientation and relationship management skills, strong project management skills; written and verbal communication skills; multi-tasking abilities; proven results-orientation; and strong analytical, organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with all levels of Maintenance, Planning, and Engineering, as well as representatives from the FAA and outside companies.
• Previous airline, military, OEM or MRO experience with commercial aircraft is required.
• Previous experience working in a materials lab including using a scanning electron microscope.
• Working knowledge of aircraft structural design, aircraft load conditions, and mechanics of materials.
• The ability to author Engineering Authorizations, with a working understanding of Airworthiness Directives, Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Parts 21, 25, 43, 121), technical manuals, and aircraft maintenance programs.
• Must have ability to balance conservatism in analysis with schedule or operational deadlines.
• Must perform work without appreciable direction.
• Internal candidates must be performing satisfactorily in current position.
• Consistently prioritizes safety and security of self, others, and personal data.
• Embraces diverse people, thinking, and styles.
• Possesses a high school diploma, GED, or high school equivalency.
• Is at least 18 years of age and has authorization to work in the United States.

• Ability to conduct structural analysis, Finite Element Analysis, and Fatigue and LEFM-based crack growth analyses using commercially available tools such as Solidworks, Autocad, NASGRO, AFGROW, FEMAP, Nastran etc. is preferred
• Familiarity with airline flight operations and support systems, 14 CFR 121 regulations and 14 CFR 145 repair station regulations are desired.
• Experience in developing/testing materials, subcomponents, components, or full-scale for metallic and/or composites highly desired
• Knowledge of both Airbus and Boeing structure/components strongly preferred.
• Existing FAA DER/ODA UM, DER/ODA UM candidate, or ability to obtain is highly desired