Aircraft Fuel Tank Repair Engineer

Business Title: Aircraft Fuel Tank Repair Engineer

Location: Seal Beach, CA

Job Type: Direct hire / Full-time

Job Summary:

• The Aircraft Fuel Tank Major Repair Review Engineer is responsible for conducting technical reviews of major repairs in aircraft fuel tank areas to ensure compliance with applicable aviation regulations, certification requirements, airworthiness limitations, and safety standards.
• The role involves evaluating repair designs, substantiation data, instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA), fuel tank ignition prevention requirements, and safety assessments to support continued airworthiness and regulatory approval.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct detailed engineering reviews of major repairs located within or affecting aircraft fuel tank areas.
• Existing DER with Major Repair/Alteration authority who was a prior ODA E-UM
• Have Major/Repair/Alteration authority for DERs with Chart B - Powerplant Installations with Propulsion – Fuels Subsystem
• Have 14 CFR Part 25 authority
• Have function codes 8040E and 8130E on their DER ticket.
• Assess repair documentation for conformity with approved design data, certification basis, and operator requirements.
• Review structural substantiation, stress analysis, fatigue assessments, and damage tolerance evaluations associated with repairs.
• Fuel Tank Safety Evaluation:
• Evaluate the impact of repairs on fuel tank ignition prevention features.
• Verify compliance with fuel tank safety requirements related to:
• Flammability reduction
• Ignition source prevention
• Bonding and grounding
• Electrical wiring installations
• Lightning protection
• Fuel quantity indication systems (FQIS)
• Review potential effects of repairs on fuel system functionality and safety-critical systems.
• Confirm repairs do not violate Airworthiness Limitations or certification assumptions.
• Ensure appropriate certification documentation and approvals are obtained.
• Safety Assessment
• Evaluate safety implications associated with major fuel tank repairs.
• Participate in or review:
• Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA)
• System Safety Assessments (SSA)
• Fault Tree Analyses (FTA)
• Identify potential hazards resulting from repair implementation and maintenance actions.
• Verify that the repair does not introduce unacceptable failure conditions or compromise system safety objectives.
• Coordination and Approval Support
• Coordinate with structures, systems, electrical, fuel systems, EMI/EMC, safety, and certification teams.
• Support Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs), ODA Unit Members, or regulatory authorities during approval activities.
• Provide technical recommendations, review comments, and resolution guidance for compliance findings.
• Prepare engineering review reports documenting conclusions and approval recommendations.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor''s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 5–10 years of aerospace engineering experience.
• Experience in aircraft structures, fuel systems, repairs, alterations, certification, or continued airworthiness activities.
• Knowledge of aircraft fuel tank safety regulations and certification requirements.
• Familiarity with major repair approvals and regulatory compliance processes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Boeing or Airbus aircraft programs.
• Knowledge of FAA SFAR 88 and fuel tank safety initiatives.
• Experience supporting DER, ODA, AR, or EASA DOA activities.
• Familiarity with damage tolerance, fatigue analysis, and structural substantiation methods.
• Experience performing or reviewing safety assessments (FHA, SSA, FTA).