Aircraft Certification Design Engineer
$115,000–$140,000 year
On-siteSandpoint, Idaho, United States
Job Summary
Coordinate type design changes for the Kodiak turboprop by classifying modifications as minor or major per the Minor Change Agreement and ensuring compliance with 14 CFR Parts 23 and 21. Serve as the primary liaison with the FAA West Certification Branch to secure support for certification programs, navigate evolving regulatory policies, and facilitate routine discussions. Prepare compliance documentation, test plans, and conformity oversight reports while managing Service Bulletin and Airworthiness Directive activities to uphold fleet safety standards. Execute 21.3 reporting and root cause analysis for in-service events, maintaining strategic plans for foreign validations and complex sovereign authority agreements.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or related Engineering discipline
- Minimum 10 aerospace experience
- 3 years with direct involvement in certification activities, including certification plans, FAA coordination, DER collaboration
- Well-versed in 14 CFR Part 23, Amdt 23-63 and prior
- Working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 21D certification and FAA Order 8110.4
- Knowledge of relationship between regulations, Orders, and Advisory Circulars
- Understands minor change requirements, experience working with a Minor Change Agreement
- Able to cultivate excellent working relationship with the FAA
- Experience and/or familiarity with foreign validation processes and concepts
- Able to learn the Kodiak airplane models' structures and systems in support of minor change agreement
- Able to manage certification plans, compliance checklists, compliance documents, conformity inspections, etc. for a certification project
- Familiarity with system safety concepts and processes including FHA, SSA, and FMEA as used in general aviation
Desired Qualifications
- Pilot's license or operational knowledge of general aviation aircraft
- Broad-level knowledge of aircraft systems architecture
- Understanding of aerodynamics, aircraft performance, stability and control, and flight systems
- Familiarity with DO-160 environmental requirements and testing
- Experience managing continued operational safety for fielded aircraft, including: Development, issuance, and compliance tracking of Service Bulletins (SBs), Mandatory SBs, and Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
- Execution of 21.3 reporting and regulatory notifications in accordance with FAA/EASA requirements
- Coordination with regulatory authorities and operators to ensure timely resolution of safety issues
- Root cause analysis and corrective action planning for in-service events
- Familiarity with Safety Management Systems (SMS) and risk assessment methodologies
- Ability to interpret and apply Part 21, Part 39, and other applicable airworthiness regulations
- Proficiency in continued airworthiness data analysis, trend monitoring, and reliability programs
- Strong understanding of configuration management and technical publication processes related to fielded aircraft
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