Lead Avionics Certification Engineer

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead certification programs from concept through FAA approval.
• Develop certification strategies for avionics systems, aircraft modifications, and new product installations.
• Serve as a primary interface with FAA Certification Branches, Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO), Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs), and Organizational Designation Authorization (ODA) units.


Prepare, review, and/or approve certification documents, including: 
• Certification Plans
• Compliance Checklists
• Draft Issue Papers
• Means of Compliance Documents
• Conformity Inspection Requests
• Ground and Flight Test Plans
• FAA Approval Packages
• Lead STC certification efforts involving surveillance, flight/data recorders, and displays avionics product lines.
• Support TSO authorization projects, including qualification testing, environmental compliance, software, and hardware certification activities.


Interpret and apply FAA regulations, policy, and guidance material including: 
• 14 CFR Parts 23, 25, 27, and 29
• AC 20-series guidance
• FAA Orders and Policy Memoranda, particularly FAA Order 8100.15 (ODA Procedures)
• RTCA and SAE standards


Lead certification activities involving: 
• DO-160 Environmental Qualification
• DO-178 Software Certification
• DO-254 Airborne Electronic Hardware
• ARP4754A System Development
• ARP4761 Safety Assessment
• Coordinate engineering disciplines including systems, software, hardware, electrical, mechanical, and test engineering teams through the certification process.
• Mentor junior certification engineers and provide regulatory guidance across the organization.
• Support audits, FAA evaluations, and ODA administrative activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of certification processes and organizational procedures.


Desired ODA Responsibilities
• Credentials to serve as an ODA Administrator or certification leader within the organization's ODA structure.
• Coordinate ODA functions and delegated activities.
• Ensure compliance with FAA delegation requirements and procedures.
• Support expansion and maintenance of ODA capabilities.
• Serve as a key liaison between company leadership and FAA representatives.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 9+ years of experience in aviation certification, aircraft modifications, avionics integration, or aerospace systems engineering.
Experience supporting or obtaining: 
• Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs)
• Technical Standard Order Authorizations (TSOAs)
• Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) programs
• Major alteration approvals
• Experience working with Part 23, Part 25, Part 27, or Part 29 aircraft.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous ODA Administrator experience.  Familiarity with STC ODA operation.
• FAA approval history within an ODA environment.
• Qualifications and experience sufficient to pursue FAA approval as an ODA Administrator shortly after hire.
• Advanced degree in engineering or related discipline.
• PMP certification or formal program management experience.
• DER, DAR, or former FAA certification experience.
• Ability to serve as a direct interface with FAA Certification Branches and FAA ODA Management Teams (OMTs).
• Demonstrated experience leading FAA STC certification programs.
• Comprehensive knowledge of FAA certification processes and applicable regulations.
• Experience developing certification plans and managing compliance activities through approval.
• Strong technical understanding of avionics systems architecture and aircraft integration.
• Ability to communicate effectively with FAA personnel, engineering teams, customers, and executive leadership.
• This position may require access to information, technology, software, or hardware that is subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations. To comply with these requirements, applicants must qualify as a US Person.