IFEC Sr Principal System Engineer

United States, Georgia, Atlanta

TechOps

12-Nov-2026

Ref #: 34761

How you'll help us Keep Climbing (overview & key responsibilities)

Provides system oversight of design and development to ensure the technical integrity of product implementation and delivery to meet IFEC business objectives. This role is focused on ensuring the internal developments and architectures are in line with the company's strategic goals, technology acquisition roadmap, directives, and capabilities.

This person will ensure that the team's design decisions do not stray from the prime objectives of the internal organization. The role will also work closely with existing IFEC providers to monitor and influence decisions related to Satcom and WiFi systems. This will be accomplished in collaboration with the IFEC Sr System Engineer, certification engineering and OEM guidelines.

This role is not related to the FAA ODA designation, and is not the certification engineer.

• Derive and define IFEC system level technical requirements based on forward looking growth requirements. Ensure next generation IFEC system is scalable and meets performance, reliability, and life cycle cost objectives.
• Evaluate, analyze, and report on performance of existing IFEC systems, esp provider performance. Become adept at using the IFEC QoE tools and provider monitoring tools for this purpose.
• Work closely with current IFEC providers' technical teams to monitor and influence decisions related to Satcom and WiFi systems.
• Drive vendor selection and work with 3rd party suppliers to ensure products meet system requirements.
• Provide system engineering support for IFEC development programs. Act as member of core technical team and take ownership of system level implementaion decisions.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in technology and industry trends for inflight connectivity & entertainment systems, especially WiFi (802.11) and Satellite networks.

Benefits and Perks to Help You Keep Climbing

Our culture is rooted in a shared dedication to living our values – Care, Integrity, Resilience and Servant Leadership – every day, in everything we do. At Delta, our people are our success. At the heart of what we offer is our focus on Sharing Success with Delta employees.

Exploring a career at Delta gives you a chance to see the world while earning great compensation and benefits to help you keep climbing along the way:

• Competitive salary, industry-leading profit sharing program, and performance incentives
• 401(k) with generous company contributions up to 9%
• New hires are eligible for up to 2-weeks of vacation. This is earned for use in the following vacation year (April 1 – March 31)
• In addition to vacation, new hires are eligible for up to 56 hours of paid personal time within a 12-month period
• 10 paid holidays per calendar year
• Birthing parents are eligible for 12-weeks of paid maternity/parental leave
• Non-birthing parents are eligible for 2-weeks of paid parental leave
• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, short/long term disability and life insurance benefits
• Family care assistance through fertility support, surrogacy and adoption assistance, lactation support, subsidized back-up care, and programs that help with loved ones in all stages
• Holistic Wellbeing programs to support physical, emotional, social, and financial health, including access to an employee assistance program offering support for you and anyone in your household, free financial coaching, and extensive resources supporting mental health
• Domestic and International space-available flight privileges for employees and eligible family members
• Career development programs to achieve your long-term career goals
• World-wide partnerships to engage in community service and innovative goals created to focus on sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint
• Business Resource Groups created to connect employees with common interests to promote inclusion, provide perspective and help implement strategies
• Recognition rewards and awards through the platform Unstoppable Together
• Access to over 500 discounts, specialty savings and voluntary benefits through Deltaperks such as car and hotel rentals and auto, home, and pet insurance, legal services, and childcare

What you need to succeed (minimum qualifications)

• Bachelors degree in Engineering or 5yrs experience with RF communications and networking.
• 5+ yrs exp with in-flight entertainment and/or connectivity systems
• Knowledgeable about FAA qualification & certification guidelines
• 5+ yrs experience leading complex technical projects and/or engineering teams
• Expert level competency in IFEC systems & platforms architecture
• 5+ yrs experience in strategy development & defining technology roadmaps
• Knowledge of aviation connectivity & entertainment systems, avionics HW development, seatback systems
• Consistently prioritizes safety and security of self, others, and personal data.
• Embraces diverse people, thinking, and styles.
• Possesses a high school diploma, GED, or high school equivalency.
• Is at least 18 years of age and has authorization to work in the United States.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications)

• Masters Degree in Engineering
• 10+ yrs experience with satellite communications, WiFi 802.11, and networking.
• 7+ yrs experience leading complex technical projects and/or engineering teams
• Expert level competency in IFEC systems & platforms architecture
• Experience managing teams in matrix org
• Subject matter expertise with Aviation entertainment systems
• Analytical skills with regards to network performance metrics.