CERTIFICATION ENGINEER / CERTIFICATION SPECIALIST

About the Team

At AeroTEC, we work with companies around the world to 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 team is responsible for providing engineering consulting services related to experimental aircraft development, aerodynamic performance, avionics systems integration, structural modification, and airworthiness processes to meet customer needs. The expertise of the team covers several areas including Flight Sciences, Electrical Systems, Mechanical Systems, Powerplant & FIFA, Air Systems, Cabin Safety, Structures and Liaison Engineering.

About the Role

AeroTEC is seeking a passionate and motivated Certification Engineer II to join our team. This role will serve as a key player in certification projects, collaborating with internal teams as well as with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other regulatory authorities. The ideal candidate will be familiar with aircraft regulatory certification processes, demonstrate excellent communication skills, and experience with systems integration. This individual will be instrumental in ensuring our products meet the highest standards of airworthiness and compliance. 

In This Role You Will:

•    Contribute to all aspects of aircraft product certification projects, from initial planning through final approval.
•    Provide input to communication with the FAA, fostering strong working relationships and representing the company's interests effectively. 
•    Work with diverse teams to prepare, review, and submit certification plans, compliance demonstration data, and other documentation to regulatory authorities.
•    Review documents/drawings and provide feedback from an airworthiness perspective.
•    Utilize knowledge of 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). 
•    Establish and manage relationships with company and consultant Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs) and international equivalents, as necessary. 
•    Monitor changes in regulatory requirements and industry best practices, participating in developing strategies to implement new processes.
•    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. 
 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

•    Knowledge of certification processes and regulatory requirements.
•    Background in Flight Sciences, Electrical Systems, Mechanical Systems, Powerplant & FIFA, Air Systems, Cabin Safety, Structures, Liaison Engineering, Quality and/or Technical Writing desired.
•    Good leadership presence and collaboration skills:

o    Leading by example in alignment with company values
o    Contributing to a positive and productive work environment
o    Instilling a sense of urgency in team members, while prioritizing safety & quality
o    Patience and objectivity in difficult situations with different types of people
o    Productive planner who sets priorities and meets goals
o    Respectful partnership, with the ability to build strong relationships at all levels

•    Effective organizational, time management and prioritization abilities: 

o    Future-oriented in thinking and operation
o    Successfully balancing multiple tasks at one time and delivering on commitments
o    Flexible with attention and priority
o    Working in a progressive, dynamic environment
o    Project management skills, including personal ownership for accomplishing assigned tasks

•    Robust customer service toolbox:  

o    Professional mannerisms, appearance, and actions
o    Self-confident and committed to high ethical standards
o    Strong follow-through, quick thinking and resourceful
o    Able to remain calm, cool and collected in stressful situations
o    Focus on effective and efficient resolution of customer needs 
o    Results-oriented analytical skills used to troubleshoot, solve problems and make decisions

•    Excellent communication skills (oral, written, presentation) with both external and internal customers. 

o    Engage as an active listener, seeking to understand and then to be understood
o    Uses people relationship and business management skills to make decisions on what and when to communicate with employees and customers
o    Communicates clearly and effectively, proficiency in writing technical documents, reports, and presentations
o    Ability to influence others as well as relate to individuals at all levels of the organization

Skills You Will Bring (Minimum):

Education

•    Four (4) year degree in relevant field or equivalent experience.

Experience

•    Minimum of 2 years of experience in aerospace industry, including involvement in aircraft certification, preferably FAA Supplemental Type Certification (STC) projects.
•    Familiarity with FAA Order 8110.4, 8110.37, and STC processes.
•    Knowledge of aircraft systems design, testing, and certification.
•    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. 
•    Experience with requirements software tools (e.g., compliance tracking systems or Jama).
•    Comfortable and effective working in Microsoft Office, able to quickly learn new software and systems.  

Preferred Qualifications:

•    Experience as certification plan owner/author, working with airworthiness authorities and/or representatives.
•    Knowledge of foreign validation processes (e.g., EASA, Transport Canada, ANAC, CAAC). 

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. 
•    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!

This position must meet export control compliance requirements. To meet export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.15 is required.  “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee.

This Job Description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the employee a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change, so may the essential functions of this position.