PRINCIPAL ENGINEER - CERTIFICATION

About the Team

At AeroTEC, we help companies around the world design, test and certify everything from aerodynamic modifications to clean sheet aircraft, including hybrid/electric, hydrogen technology, supersonic, and eVTOLs, giving our team exposure to some of the industry’s most innovative and challenging work.

AeroTEC’s Engineering Services Division supports and provides comprehensive, full-service aerospace engineering services to customers in aircraft design and certification. The Engineering Services Department is responsible for providing engineering consulting services related to aircraft performance, similarity analysis, reviewing and supporting certification activities, determining test requirements, and planning and documenting testing to meet customer needs. The Engineering Services Department provides several areas of expertise in Flight Sciences, Electrical Systems, Mechanical Systems, Powerplant & FIFA, Air Systems, Cabin Safety, Structures and Liaison Engineering.

About the Role

AeroTEC is seeking a highly experienced and motivated Principal Engineer - Certification to join our team. This pivotal role will serve as a key leader within the company, driving our aircraft certification efforts and acting as a primary point of contact with regulatory authorities, particularly the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of aircraft regulatory certification processes, a proven track record of independent engagement with the FAA, and extensive familiarity with relevant regulations and advisory material. This individual will be instrumental in ensuring our products meet the highest standards of airworthiness and compliance. 

This role requires the significant exercise of independent discretion and judgment in matters of significance.

In This Role You Will:

• Lead and manage all aspects of aircraft product certification projects, from initial planning through final approval, ensuring adherence to project timelines and budgets. 
• Serve as the company's primary technical liaison and point of contact with the FAA, fostering strong working relationships and representing the company's interests effectively. 
• Develop certification strategies tailored to individual projects balancing compliance risk with timelines and budgets, while guiding projects through the use of Change Product Rules, Issue Papers, Equivalent Levels of Safety and Exemptions.  
• Independently prepare, review, and submit certification plans, compliance demonstration data, and other regulatory documentation to regulatory authorities. 
• Interpret aviation product (e.g., 14 CFR Part 23, 25, 27, 29, 33) and operations regulations (e.g. 14 CFR Part 91, 119, 121, 125, 135) and advisory material (e.g. ACs, policies), providing expert guidance to engineering teams on compliance strategies. 
• Establish and manage relationships with company and consultant DER and international equivalents, as necessary. 
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and technical guidance to junior certification engineers and cross-functional project teams. 
• Monitor changes in regulatory requirements and industry best practices, proactively identifying potential impacts and developing strategies to maintain compliance. 
• Collaborate closely with design, manufacturing, quality, and flight test teams to integrate certification requirements throughout the product lifecycle. 
• Support foreign validation efforts and engage with international aviation and military certification authorities as required. 
• Support organizational Designated Engineering Representative (DER) delegation development.
• Assist business development teams in scoping certification aspects of new programs or customer proposals
• Develop and maintain internal process for this role and assist in the development of the related AeroTEC strategy and capabilities.

The Skills You Will Bring (Minimum):

Education

• Four (4) year degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in aircraft certification, with a significant portion focused on FAA certification projects including supplemental type certificate projects. 
• Demonstrated ability to independently engage with the FAA and navigate complex regulatory processes. 
• Working knowledge of FAA Order 8110.4, 8110.37, and FAA project sequencing documentation.
• Extensive knowledge of aircraft regulatory frameworks, including 14 CFR regulations and associated advisory material. 
• Proven experience in developing and executing certification plans and compliance demonstration reports. 
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical and regulatory information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences. 
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. 
• Strong leadership qualities with a track record of guiding projects and mentoring colleagues. 
• Experience with requirements software tools (e.g., compliance tracking systems or Jama).
• Familiarity or experience with aircraft electrification (Strongly preferred)

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Master's degree in Engineering or a related field. 
• Experience with foreign validation processes (e.g., EASA, Transport Canada, ANAC, CAAC). 
• Experience with specific aircraft systems or types relevant to our products (e.g., eVTOL, fixed-wing, rotorcraft, avionics, propulsion systems). 
• Designated Engineering Representative (DER) authorization or experience working closely with DERs. 

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and/or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Must have the ability to sit for long periods of time.
• The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Infrequent travel required (<10%) to AeroTEC facilities and potential conferences and meetings (flight and automobile travel).  

AeroTEC Ways of Working and Benefits:

At AeroTEC, we are on a mission to Accelerate the Evolution of Aerospace. We lead the market in the integration and testing of sustainable propulsion technologies, pioneering the future of sustainable aerospace. 

AeroTEC is building a culture where personal and professional growth are just as important as business growth. We invest in our people, supporting their career development by offering customized career development plans, in-house learning, mentorship, and up to $5,250.00/year in education reimbursement.

We are committed to our employee’s well-being, providing Unlimited Time-Off (for salaried employees), employer paid premiums for our employees’ Health coverage (PPO/HDHP plans), Dental, $40,000 Life Insurance Policy, and complementary access to our Employee Assistance and Health Advocate Program’s.

Additional Benefits include (but not limited to): 401(k) and Employer Match for the Employee, Vision, Additional Life Insurance Options, Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital Indemnity, Cell Phone Cost Reimbursement, Pet Insurance, ID Watchdog, Legal Shield, and Perk Spot Discounts.

Hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, at AeroTEC we reward outstanding performance with quarterly bonus schemes (for salaried employees), manager’s bonuses (for management roles), and SIP (for sales positions).  Positions may or may not qualify for sign-on bonus or relocation assistance. 

But we are more than just a team; we’re a family that works hard and plays hard! From AeroTEC AeroTEC’s own Flying Club, Softball League, Seattle Mariners Tickets, to Team Bike Rides, Karting, Golf Scrambles and more. We’re committed to creating a workplace where fun and work are not mutually exclusive!