Aerospace Certification Engineer
Location: Newport News, VA
Job Type: Contract
Pay: Starting at $60.00/hour (higher based on experience)
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Aerospace Certification Engineer to support aircraft modification, repair, and certification programs. In this role, you will develop certification strategies, prepare compliance documentation, and coordinate certification activities to ensure aircraft systems meet FAA, military, and industry requirements.
The ideal candidate has experience supporting aircraft certification programs, regulatory compliance, and engineering documentation within the aerospace industry.
Responsibilities
Develop certification strategies, certification plans, and means of compliance for aircraft modification and repair programs.
Identify applicable FAA, military, customer, and airworthiness requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
Prepare and maintain certification documentation, including compliance matrices, engineering reports, certification plans, and Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA).
Coordinate certification activities with engineering, production, quality, and program management teams.
Work with FAA representatives, engineering consultants, customers, and suppliers to support certification planning, technical reviews, inspections, and approvals.
Review engineering drawings, analyses, reports, and technical documentation to verify regulatory compliance.
Support conformity inspections, ground testing, flight testing, and compliance demonstrations.
Provide technical guidance during fabrication, installation, troubleshooting, and aircraft modification activities.
Participate in design reviews and provide recommendations related to certification strategy, regulatory compliance, and continued airworthiness.
Maintain certification records under configuration control and ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards.
Support continuous improvement initiatives and certification process enhancements.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
Experience supporting aircraft certification, aircraft modifications, repairs, or aerospace product development programs.
Working knowledge of FAA regulations, Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) processes, FAA Form 337 major alterations, and Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA).
Experience developing or reviewing compliance matrices, engineering reports, test plans, conformity documentation, and other certification artifacts.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, analyses, and technical documentation.
Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering and production teams.
Comfortable working in both office and aircraft hangar environments.
U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status required.
Preferred Qualifications
Five or more years of experience supporting aircraft certification, STC programs, military airworthiness, or regulated aerospace certification activities.
Experience developing certification plans, compliance strategies, and means of compliance.
Familiarity with MIL-HDBK-516C airworthiness requirements.
Experience coordinating conformity inspections, ground testing, flight testing, and certification activities.
Experience preparing engineering reports, compliance documentation, and ICA manuals.
Knowledge of aircraft systems, structures, avionics integration, and aircraft modification practices.
Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems, engineering release processes, and configuration management.
Experience supporting continued operational safety, post-certification engineering activities, and project risk management.
What You'll Bring
Strong attention to detail and commitment to regulatory compliance.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced aerospace environment.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
A proactive approach to solving technical and certification challenges while supporting successful project execution.
