Cabin Retrofit Solutions Engineer II

About the role

As a Cabin Upgrade Project Engineer within Airbus Customer Services, you will bridge the gap between complex engineering design and flawless project execution. This role is heavily focused on project lifecycle management, planning, and stakeholder coordination, with a strong technical foundation in cabin retrofits. You will define project scopes, manage subcontractors, mitigate risks, and translate highly technical aircraft modification data into actionable business and execution plans—ensuring all cabin retrofit solutions and Service Bulletins are delivered on time, within budget, and to customer expectations.

Our Engineers work 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 airline customers. The Engineering Center in Mobile, Alabama houses hundreds of Airbus engineers who assist in the design and development of Airbus commercial aircraft cabins, including aftermarket upgrades, reconfigurations, and services globally.

Responsibilities

• Project Architecture: Define clear project objectives, deliverables, and timelines. Translate high-level business requirements into actionable, structured aircraft modification plans.
• Program Enablers: Develop, track, and manage program enablers to ensure timely and high-quality milestones.
• Risk & Dependency Management: Proactively identify technical roadblocks (such as late customer requests or technical scope changes) and develop robust contingency plans to keep delivery schedules on track.
• Subcontractor Oversight: Actively manage external subcontractors, closely tracking deliverables, costs, and schedule adherence.
• Stakeholder Communication: Serve as the primary translator and liaison between non-technical stakeholders and highly technical engineering teams, conveying complex updates in business-friendly terms.
• Technical Translation: Apply a deep understanding of the aircraft modification lifecycle, including the technical nuances of Service Bulletin (SB) embodiment, to optimize project workflows.
• Interface Management: Provide a strong operational liaison between internal teams and international Airbus departments.
• Design Engineering (20%):
  • Develop cabin retrofit solutions ranging from global architecture definition to detailed technical design.
  • Oversee and create retrofit engineering drawings with a strict focus on speed, quality, and cost optimization.
  • Determine, review, and specify the exact parts kits required to support physical modification designs.
• Certification & Compliance (10%):
  • Maintain a solid technical understanding of the aircraft certification plan development process.
  • Support the formal aircraft certification process as required to achieve airworthiness compliance.
• Customer & Fleet Support (10%):
  • Provide direct technical support to on-site modification teams, including active deployment to customer airlines or MRO facilities during embodiment.
  • Responsively resolve technical queries arising during and after the delivery of engineering work instructions and kit shipments.
• Other Duties (5%): Perform other operational and engineering duties as assigned to support the business.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aeronautic, Civil, or Electrical). Minimum of 3 years of engineering experience; OR Master’s Degree with a minimum of 2 years of engineering experience.
• Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the US.
• Experience:
  • Direct exposure to project or program engineering methodologies.
  • Proven ability to create, interpret, and review designs using industry-standard CAD tools (e.g., CATIA).
  • Experience in aircraft cabin interiors or modifications is highly desired.
  • Practical airline, hangar, or MRO environment experience.
  • General knowledge of the Service Bulletin production process, including the ability to read, interpret, and cross-reference SBs, Bills of Materials (BOM), and customer modification requirements.
  • Familiarity with FAA and/or EASA regulations regarding aircraft parts procurement, technical documentation, and product traceability (preferred).
• Skills:
  • Proficiency in Python or other programming languages (basic programming or coding experience).
  • Highly proficient in Google Workspace / Google Suite for documentation and project tracking.
  • Exceptional analytical agility to interpret complex technical aircraft topics.
  • Strong teamwork and relationship-building skills to align colleagues, airline clients, external partners, and airworthiness authorities.
  • Excellent communication, coordination, and organization skills.
  • Ability to distill complex data into clear summaries (synthetic mindset) while demonstrating professional assertiveness.
  • Flawless written and verbal communication in technical English, with the ability to present project status, risks, and strategies to management.
• Decision Making:
  • In-depth knowledge of project management to identify impacts on stakeholders and make optimal decisions for the project.
  • Ability to pull data from varied sources to develop innovative risk-mitigation approaches.
• Travel: Up to 10% (domestic and international).

Benefits

• Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, incentive compensation (including profit-sharing schemes), retirement savings plan, and participation 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 (medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, disability), Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), and other supplemental benefits.
• Individual Development: Upskilling and development opportunities through Airbus’s global Leadership University, including unlimited access to 10,000+ e-learning courses, certifications, career path development, and accelerated development programs with national and international mobility.
• Flexibility: Support for flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.

Schedule

This is a full-time, onsite role (100% onsite in Mobile, Alabama).

Physical Requirements

• Vision: Ability to see and read computer screens, documents, reports, and engineering drawings.
• Hearing: Ability to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone, and to hear sounds on the production floor (including safety warnings or alarms).
• Speaking: Ability to speak in conversations, meetings, and presentations.
• Equipment Operation: Ability to operate personal computers, telephones, copiers, fax machines, and related office equipment, as well as some production tools (e.g., hydraulic lifts).
• Carrying/Lifting: Ability to carry and lift documents, tools, drawings, and electronic equipment up to 30 lbs/14 kg.
• Mobility: Ability to push/pull small office furniture and equipment, sit for long periods, squat/kneel, stand, walk (including uneven surfaces), and travel independently at short notice.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Required PPE includes safety shoes, safety glasses, hearing protection, respirators/masks, and/or protective gloves as required by site or customer site.