Metallurgy Engineer

San Francisco, CAFull-time$83.7k–$109kPosted Jul 17, 2026
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Description


At United, we have some of the best aircraft in the world. Our Technical Operations team is full of aircraft maintenance technicians, engineers, planners, ground equipment and facilities professionals, and supply chain teams that help make sure they’re well taken care of and ready to get our customers to their desired destinations. If you’re ready to work on our planes, join our Tech Ops experts and help keep our fleet in tip-top shape.

Technical Operations/Maintenance

Technical Operations includes the maintenance, and overhaul of our aircraft. This includes aircraft maintenance technicians, engineers, planners, ground equipment and facilities teams, supply chain teams and more.

Job overview and responsibilities

Entry level in Metallurgy and/or material science, heat treating, welding.  Fundamental to practical knowledge of properties of aerospace metal alloys, including metallographic sample preparation, microstructure, heat treatment, and welding.  Initial knowledge may be gained from classroom experience or internships. Prior airline experience not required. Able to take mentoring instructions from peers.   Self-guide and manage projects with and without support from others on the team. Prefer direct experience with metallographic sample preparation, microstructure analysis, and heat treatment. Oversight includes metallographic and SEM labs.  Demonstrates ability to work independently as well as collaborating and foster engagement with stakeholders.

  • Studies, analyzes, and seeks solutions to problems related to the design, operation, maintenance, performance, modification, or repair of aircraft, and their components
  • Uses a structured, logical, and analytical approach in problem solving
  • Defines maintenance program, configuration, and serviceability criteria ensuring safe and legal operations
  • Analyze and implement regulatory requirements
  • Author, design, and manage technical work scopes
  • Provide on-site technical support for shop, line, and base operations
  • Interfaces with internal and external organizations (OEMs, OSVs) regarding specific aircraft, engine, and component issues
  • This position develops potentially complex solutions and implementation plans, project justification, cost/benefit analysis, management of project implementation, technical support, and obtaining FAA approvals as required
  • Coordinate work with other operational groups to ensure airworthiness, safety, regulatory compliance, operational reliability, and operational efficiency
  • Organize and manage the priorities for assigned responsibilities and accomplish the work processes to meet all the deliverables for projects or maintenance program changes/technical specification revisions

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

  • Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent aviation maintenance experience required
  • 0 to 5 years of experience
  • Familiar with material science and metallurgy.  Manufacturing processes including heat treat, welding, machining, casting, forging, plating, composites
  • Professional report writing and presentation skills
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced maintenance environment with time-critical return to service deliverables 
  • Ability to simplify complex technical issues into clear, actionable communication for non-technical audiences 
  • Clear, concise communication skills 

 

Preferred

 

  • Metallurgical and Material Science with one or more other technical degrees in related fields (Mechanical/Aerospace/Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, etc.)
  • Prior airline experience a plus
  • Airline or Industry knowledge with general ATA Chapters which encompass, aircraft structures, and disciplines
  • Specific ATA 21, 25, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 72-chapter structures related experience
  • Working knowledge of Boeing and Airbus SRMs, SBs, and OEM documentation 
  • NAA, NTSB and Aerospace OEM joint investigation experience
  • Understanding of wet and dry analytical chemistry technique
  • High level of knowledge level of analytical instrumentations and techniques such as scanning electron microscope

The base pay range for this role is $83,695.00 to $109,004.00.
The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.

You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.

United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact JobAccommodations@united.com

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