Lead Certification Engineer

Since 2018, Elevate Aircraft Seating has been enhancing the passenger experience through innovative aircraft seat design and manufacturing. With locations in California, Washington, and Germany we are guided by creativity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to quality.

For the Engineering division at Elevate Aircraft Seating in Kaiserslautern, we are looking for skilled

Position Overview

As a Lead Certification Engineer, you will be at the forefront of ensuring the airworthiness and regulatory compliance of our innovative aerospace products. You will shape certification strategies, guide complex certification programs from concept to approval, and serve as the trusted expert for certification and regulatory matters across the organization. Working closely with engineering teams, customers, and regulatory authorities, you will play a key role in bringing cutting-edge solutions to market while driving excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement.

• Serve as the primary Subject Matter Expert (SME) for airworthiness and certification requirements across assigned programs and products.
• Define and lead certification strategies, certification plans, and regulatory compliance approaches in alignment with business and program objectives.
• Provide technical leadership and authoritative guidance to Engineering, Program Management, and Leadership teams on certification and regulatory matters.
• Act as the principal interface with regulatory authorities, designated representatives, customers, and industry stakeholders regarding certification and compliance activities.
• Lead the assessment and interpretation of new and evolving regulatory requirements and determine their impact on product development and certification strategies.
• Drive certification activities throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring timely achievement of certification milestones and program deliverables.
• Review and approve certification data packages, compliance documentation, test plans, and means of compliance prior to submission to regulatory authorities.
• Provide oversight and guidance for certification testing, conformity activities, and validation efforts to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards.
• Support engineering teams during product development by identifying certification risks early and providing compliant technical solutions.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve certification processes, procedures, tools, and best practices across the organization.
• Mentor and develop engineers and certification specialists while promoting technical excellence and regulatory knowledge within the team.
• Lead complex certification projects and resolve highly challenging regulatory or technical compliance issues with significant business impact.
• Represent the organization in customer meetings, audits, regulatory reviews, and industry working groups as the recognized certification authority.
• Monitor emerging industry trends, regulatory developments, and certification policy changes, providing strategic recommendations to leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen organizational certification capability, regulatory compliance, and competitive positioning.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or equivalent experience.
• 2-3 years of relevant professional experience required.
• Exceptional organizational skills, self-motivation and a sense of urgency and sensitivity to deadlines.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and the ability to analyze, regulatory requirements and advisory materials.
• Very good communication skills with internal and external personnel at all levels.
• Excellent risk management skills required.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a broader team.
• Possess strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent knowledge of English and German languages (both written and spoken).
• Knowledge of (E)TSO processes and general EASA regulations.
• Knowledge of dynamic and static testing processes and procedures.
• Willingness to travel on business is required.

• Exciting opportunities for both professional and personal development.
• The freedom to contribute your own ideas while working in an international environment.
• 30 days of annual leave, attractive remuneration package, and a company pension scheme.
• Access to a bicycle leasing program and our Corporate Benefits platform.
• An open, collaborative, and appreciative working atmosphere.
• In addition, we compensate for up to three public holidays per year that fall on a weekend by granting an additional day off during the week.

Our diversity makes us strong! Elevate Aircraft Seating believes in the principles of equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. For this reason, incoming applications are selected based on professional qualifications and fit with our corporate values, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual identity, nationality, severe disability or equality or age.

Individuals who are interested in this position and meet the above requirements should apply at www.elevate-seats.com/careers.