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This non-managerial liaison engineering role focuses on turning complex aircraft designs into operational reality on the factory floor. The Expert Liaison Engineer provides hands-on engineering support in a high-volume commercial aircraft production environment, working closely with production teams to resolve non-conformances, improve processes, and ensure safe, compliant, and efficient builds throughout the product lifecycle. The role is ideal for experienced engineers who enjoy making real-time technical decisions, being present in the factory, and directly seeing the impact of their engineering work on flying aircraft.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary engineering representative on the factory floor, partnering closely with production personnel to transform design intent into safe, buildable, and certifiable products.
Analyze production non-conformances, perform root cause analysis, and develop clear, technically sound dispositions that support safe and efficient aircraft build and repair.
Apply aircraft design and engineering principles to assess and resolve product and process issues across the full product lifecycle, from initial build through post-production support.
Research and resolve technical, operational, and quality issues by developing and implementing final engineering solutions that support safety, reliability, and producibility.
Identify, document, and analyze reported problems, assess deviations that could impact design intent and safety, and recommend and manage corrective and preventive actions.
Develop and implement product and process improvements to enhance quality, reduce defects, and improve production flow and maintainability.
Support Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and actively participate in design reviews, providing feedback based on production, maintainability, and structural repair considerations.
Represent the engineering community across the production lifecycle, including initial build, production, and post-production environments.
Ensure supplier and build partner compliance with applicable engineering standards, specifications, and requirements.
Develop customer-facing correspondence and technical documentation that support continued safe operation and maintenance of aircraft and related equipment.
Participate in on-site disabled product repair teams, accident investigation activities, and support teams as needed.
Analyze damage, repairs, or structural modifications to determine appropriate jacking and shoring methods, prevent collateral damage, and maintain a safe work environment.
Design interim structural repairs and perform static strength analysis to validate the structural adequacy of repair solutions.
Develop non-destructive test (NDT) procedures, tools, and standards to support inspection and verification of structural integrity and repair quality.
Review engineering drawings, specifications, and standards to ensure correct interpretation and application in production and repair activities.
Provide on-the-spot technical problem solving on the factory floor, including investigating non-conformances, inspecting aircraft, and collaborating directly with mechanics and production teams.
Participate in a structured rotation program (approximately nine months) that may include assignments to multiple shifts, weekend work, daily overtime, and travel between regional production sites.
Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes, documentation, and tools, including use of digital design, analysis, and production systems.

Essential Skills

Bachelor’s or Master of Science degree in Engineering from an ABET or ABET-equivalent accredited program, or advanced technical education in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, or chemistry from an accredited course of study.
Typically 9 or more years of related work experience in aircraft structures, systems design, or production engineering, or an equivalent combination of education and experience (for example, PhD plus 4 years, Master’s plus 7 years, or Bachelor’s plus 9 years of related work experience).
Significant experience in aircraft structures, systems design, or production engineering, including support of metallic and/or composite structures.
Proven experience performing root cause analysis on production or in-service issues and developing robust corrective actions.
Demonstrated ability to develop engineering dispositions for non-conformances, including repair dispositions and deviation analysis.
Experience providing manufacturing and production support, including direct interaction with factory personnel and support of high-volume production environments.
Ability and willingness to work directly on the factory floor, including frequent presence in a manufacturing environment with large aircraft and active production lines.
Strong cross-functional communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with production teams, mechanics, inspectors, and other engineering disciplines.
Demonstrated technical problem-solving skills, including the ability to make timely, sound engineering decisions under schedule pressure.
Experience supporting product lifecycle engineering activities, from design through production and post-production support.
Experience reviewing and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, and standards, including application of GD&T principles.
Capability to design structural repairs and perform static strength analysis to validate structural adequacy.
Experience with non-conformance resolution, engineering change analysis, and material review processes.
Ability to work across multiple shifts and adapt to changing production priorities and schedules.
Strong communication, collaboration, and decision-making skills, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, factory-focused environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Nine or more years of experience with Material Review Board (MRB) activities related to aircraft systems or structures.
Prior engineering MRB authority or certification, particularly in a commercial aircraft production environment.
Hands-on experience with materials and manufacturing processes, including familiarity with metallic and composite structures.
Experience with deviation analysis, repair dispositions, and formal non-conformance resolution processes.
Experience with engineering change analysis and participation in formal material review board activities.
Familiarity with CATIA or similar 3D CAD tools for design review and analysis.
Experience with IVT, CAPP, CMES, PDM, and REDARS or comparable engineering and production data management systems.
Knowledge of production systems and lean manufacturing concepts in an aerospace environment.
Experience with static strength analysis, structural repair design, and fatigue analysis for aircraft structures.
Knowledge of NDT/NDI methods and development of non-destructive test procedures and standards.
Experience supporting or collaborating with supplier quality organizations and ensuring supplier compliance with engineering requirements.
Experience working in Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and contributing to multidisciplinary design and production reviews.
Strong conflict resolution skills and the ability to manage differing viewpoints between engineering and production while maintaining safety and quality priorities.
Demonstrated sense of urgency and ownership in resolving production issues and supporting delivery commitments.
Proven adaptability in dynamic environments, including changing priorities, multiple shifts, and varied factory conditions.
Exposure to or experience with large commercial aircraft production environments and complex assembly operations.

Work Environment

This role is 100% onsite at large commercial aircraft production facilities in the Puget Sound region and Portland, Oregon. The position involves a mix of office-based engineering analysis (approximately 50–60%) and factory floor presence (approximately 40–50%). Desk-based work includes reviewing drawings, writing dispositions, performing engineering analyses, and reviewing specifications and standards. Factory floor work includes investigating non-conformances, meeting with mechanics and inspectors, inspecting aircraft, and directly supporting production teams during various stages of aircraft build. The environment is a loud manufacturing setting with frequent exposure to typical production hazards such as high noise areas, trip hazards, chemical handling, and work around large aircraft and active assembly lines. The role requires climbing stairs, entering aircraft during different build stages, and navigating large factory spaces safely. Multiple work shifts are in operation, and the role may require assignment to first, second, or third shift, as well as weekend work and daily overtime, typically on a rotational basis. During an approximately nine-month rotation program, the engineer may rotate across shifts and sites and may travel between regional facilities. The position requires regular and predictable onsite attendance and a consistent presence on the factory floor to support real-time production needs.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Everett, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $65.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Everett,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 10, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

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