Lead Engineer H/F
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 4, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 9, 2026. Expliseat scores B on the Alion truth index.
At Expliseat, we are reinventing the way people travel. Since 2012, our patented ultralight aircraft seats have been making planes lighter, reducing fuel consumption, and cutting CO₂ emissions. With over 10,000 seats already flying worldwide, we are the leader in ultralight seats for regional aviation and are now expanding into the medium-haul market.
Our mission? Combine performance, comfort, and a positive environmental impact.
Join a passionate team where innovation, agility, and bold ideas drive every project-and help decarbonize tomorrow’s mobility
Role Overview
The purpose of the Lead Engineer is to lead the engineering development programs for our innovative and class-leading aircraft passenger seating. In this high-impact role, you will lead the design and development throughout the product lifecycle from initial concept through development, certification and into production, delivering a safe, reliable product, compliant to stringent aerospace regulations and meeting the highest standards for aesthetic, comfort and ergonomics.
Key Responsibilities
Engineering Leadership: In conjunction with the Engineering Project Manager, provide effective technical leadership to achieve successful delivery of the engineering program, defining and executing the design & development plan with a cross-functional engineering team.
Cross-Functional Team Management: Lead the day-to-day task execution of a cross-functional engineering team of mechanical engineers, CAD drafting, Trim & Comfort, Certification and Stress Analysis and Test.
Accurate Design Definition: Right First Time, On Time In Full release of high quality 3d and 2d engineering data from Engineering to Operations.
Design Optimization: Champion Design for Weight (DFW), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Cost (DFC) principles to ensure the engineering solution is a competitive, lightweight, and easily manufacturable product.
Trim & Finish Excellence: Elevate the passenger experience by maintaining exceptionally rigorous standards for premium Trim & Finish materials, textures, and mechanical integration.
Customer Engagement: Act as the primary technical point of contact for airline clients, leading design reviews, presenting technical milestones, and incorporating direct customer feedback.
Key Requirements - Essential
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or a related subject.
3+ years of experience in aircraft interior design and/or passenger seating development.
Proven experience leading multidisciplinary NPI (New Product Introduction) engineering teams in a highly regulated environment.
Strong competence in all aspects of engineering development processes including specification development, compliance matrix, managing to weight and cost, concept selection, design for manufacture and assembly and risk management.
Expert knowledge and experience of a variety of materials (aluminium, composite, plastics, soft trim) and manufacturing processes (machining, extrusion, injection moulding, thermo-forming).
Strong competence in engineering definition including the generation of high-quality engineering models, drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
A strong eye for detail and high-level craftsmanship, with a proven ability to deliver exceptional Trim & Finish, and awareness of design for perceived quality.
Curious, rigorous, autonomous, and comfortable working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Fluent in technical English, both written and spoken.
Key Requirements - Preferred
5+ years of experience in aircraft interior design and passenger seating development.
Comprehensive familiarity with FAA/EASA airworthiness standards for cabin safety and interior furnishings (e.g., FAR/CS 25.853, 25.562)
Significant experience of seat integration programs on regional, narrowbody and/or widebody aircraft types, including high levels of competency in the delivery of airframe compliant LOPAs.
Why Join Us?
- Contribute to a more environmentally friendly industry.
- Join a passionate and agile team where every idea matters.
- Grow within an innovative, fast-growing company.
All our positions are open to people with disabilities.