Principal Airworthiness Engineer

Location: San Diego, CA Salary: $110.00 USD Hourly - $120.00 USD Hourly Description:
Principal Airworthiness Engineer

Job Summary


We are seeking a Principal Airworthiness Engineer to support airworthiness certification activities for advanced air vehicle platforms. The ideal candidate will lead certification planning, compliance verification, and airworthiness engineering efforts throughout the product lifecycle, including flight releases, type certification, continued airworthiness, and airspace integration.

This role requires close collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure airworthiness requirements are effectively translated into compliant and reliable system solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute airworthiness certification plans, strategies, and compliance activities.
• Define and maintain Basis of Certification (BoC), Means of Compliance (MoC), and certification documentation.
• Support airworthiness assessments throughout the product lifecycle, including design, development, testing, operation, and sustainment.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure compliance with airworthiness requirements.
• Perform requirements analysis, allocation, verification, and validation activities.
• Manage certification evidence and technical documentation supporting type certification and continued airworthiness activities.
• Support flight releases, operational approvals, and airspace integration initiatives.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to achieve certification objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or another STEM-related discipline.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in airworthiness engineering, aerospace certification, systems engineering, or related fields.
• • Master's degree with 3+ years of relevant experience, or
  • PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience.
• Experience developing Airworthiness Plans, Basis of Certification, and related certification artifacts.
• Familiarity with MIL-HDBK-516D airworthiness certification criteria.
• Experience supporting UAS/RPAS airworthiness authorizations and certification activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with military or commercial aircraft development, modification, or sustainment programs.
• Knowledge of airworthiness certification processes and standards.
• Experience working with UAS/RPAS platforms.
• Systems engineering or design experience in one or more of the following areas:
• • Structures
  • Flight Technology
  • Air Vehicle Subsystems
  • Avionics
  • Mission Payload Integration
  • System Safety
  • Flight Test
  • Configuration Management
• Experience with airworthiness policies, directives, and certification guidance.
• Experience interacting with airworthiness authorities or regulatory agencies.
• Knowledge of Control Account Management (CAM) and Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and SharePoint.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance are available to qualified candidates who meet eligibility requirements.
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