Head of Engineering - PET (Kinston)

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Job Description

Airbus Commercial Aircraft is seeking a Head Of Engineering for our Plant Engineering Team (PET) in Kinston, NC. In this multifaceted role you will be responsible for managing the engineering team supporting the fabrication and assembly of commercial transport twin-aisle composite fuselages. This role ensures all engineering deliverables remain on track to support industrial timelines and schedule pressures while unyieldingly prioritizing and ensuring product safety. The leader will act as a buffer to protect the engineering team from undue operational pressure, while collaborating across disciplines to rapid-fire resolve product and process issues.

Meet the team:

Our Engineers have the privilege of working 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 our airline customers. If you’re interested in designing, creating, and testing the present and future of Airbus products across the globe, join our mission to connect the world.

Your Working Environment:

The Airbus Kinston facility sits at the forefront of aerospace manufacturing, specializing in the production of large, advanced composite aerostructures. Our team builds critical components for the state-of-the-art Airbus A350 XWB, including the composite center fuselage and wing spar.

How We Care for You

• Financial Rewards: Competitive pay, incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes, retirement savings plan and the ability to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)
• Work/Life Balance: Paid time off including personal time, holidays and a paid parental leave program.
• Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”) and other supplemental benefit coverages.
• Individual Development: Upskilling and development opportunities through our global Leadership University, including unlimited access to 10,000+ e-learning courses focusing on ways to develop your employability, certifications, career path; as well as the opportunity to participate in accelerated development programmes; and both national and international mobility.

Your Challenges:

• Provide timely engineering support and depositions for production line nonconformities by managing concessions and developing rework solutions.
• Track operational KPIs and implement corrective action plans to resolve performance gaps.
• Create, validate, and approve engineering corrections (modifications, drawing updates, design queries) to resolve technical issues.
• Authorize temporary aircraft configurations (Special Instructions) aligned with aircraft architecture.
• Ensure all team activities, processes, and cross-functional interfaces strictly adhere to Airbus Engineering standards.
• Release standard repairs and troubleshooting instructions independently; collaborate with Transnational and A350 teams on major issues.
• Act as the accountable engineer for approved repairs and reworks, interfacing directly with the Design Office, Chief Engineering, customers, and aviation authorities (EASA/FAA).
• Exercise Airbus engineering delegation to ensure full compliance with Aircraft Safety and Airworthiness standards across all Product Engineering Team (PET) activities.
• Manage, mentor, and set up a high-performing national engineering team to achieve operational and financial business goals.
• Actively protect the engineering team from undue industrial or delivery pressures.
• Work in close collaboration with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Quality, Program, Procurement, and any other disciplines involved throughout the entire product lifecycle within the Multi-Functional Team (MFT)
• Work directly with suppliers to implement clear, detailed, and achievable improvement plans.
• Monitor the engineering team’s input/output; identify, report, and follow up on product, operational, and business risks and opportunities.
• Analyze data to report performance of recurring and non-recurring engineering activities.

Your boarding pass:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical or electrical engineering or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 20+ years engineering experience in aerospace engineering activities primarily associated with design, analysis and certification of aircraft systems and structures.
• Minimum of 5 years leadership and management experience in the engineering field.
• Proven focus on understanding and managing internal and external customers' expectations and true needs through humble listening, active questioning, and constructively challenging requirements.
• Ability to advise top management and contribute to leading the business toward optimal operational decisions while always ensuring product safety through effective, factual communication.
• Skilled at earning internal and external customer trust by providing clear, accurate, concise, and factual information.
• Ability to understand and respect a diverse set of stakeholders' backgrounds, cultures, priorities, and organizations.

Physical Requirements:

• Onsite or remote: Onsite 100% Vision: able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.
• Hearing: able 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: able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.
• Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts.
• Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
• Lifting: able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
• Pushing / Pulling: able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools.
• Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on the computer.
• Squatting / Kneeling: able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.
• Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on the production floor.
• Travel: able to travel independently and at short notice.
• Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents): able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces.

Personal Protective Equipment required

Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site.

Other

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company

Airbus Americas, Inc.

Employment Type

US - Direct Hire

Experience Level

Professional

Remote Type

On-site

Job Family

Leadership

Equal Employment Opportunity

Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits and training.

Harassment Policy

Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.

Diversity Statement

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to View email address on click.appcast.io.

About Airbus

Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and technologically-advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and connected services. In commercial aircraft, Airbus offers modern and fuel-efficient airliners and associated services. Airbus is also a European leader in defence and security and one of the world's leading space businesses. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.