Flight Research Airworthiness Lead
- Civil Regulatory Leadership: Lead the end-to-end process for obtaining Experimental Airworthiness Certificates and Certificate of Authorizations.
- Development flight test tools and methods across multiple aircraft types. Payload integration and mission capabilities development and test.
- Lead technical areas across multiple programs. Build teams and mentor them to high output and rigor to meet program needs. Experiences: Decades across DoD to silicon valley approach to aviation. Pioneering test pilot in eVTOL. Multiple clean sheet aircraft programs and building teams around them.
- Set strategy on approaching airworthiness in test and mission requirements.
- FAA Documentation & Liaison: Author and manage Program Letters and Safety Checklists in accordance with FAA Order 8130.34. Act as the primary point of contact for FSDOs and the FAA Flight Standards Emerging Technology Office. Define documentation requirements to support the targeted level of certification, ranging from concept of operations, aircraft manuals, to safety analysis.
- Strategic Roadmap: Develop and execute a transition plan from experimental pathways to Section 44807 exemptions, ensuring current processes are "future-proofed" for commercial scaling. Draft and document certification basis and means of compliance.
- Military Flight Approvals: Manage the Military Flight Release (MFR) and Airworthiness Release (AWR) processes for various service branches and military installations.
- Engineering Integration: Create and implement standardized, reusable frameworks for engineers to submit technical data, ensuring all inputs meet regulatory rigor without stifling innovation. Work with engineering teams to support decision making (overall architecture, redundancy strategy, loads, etc)
- Accountability & Compliance: Lead cross-functional teams to meet initial and continued airworthiness requirements. Hold internal stakeholders accountable for the quality and timeliness of deliverables required for flight authorization and sustainment.
- Risk Management: Evaluate technical changes to the aircraft and determine their impact on existing certifications or flight releases.
- Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Regulatory Expertise: Direct experience authoring Program Letters and Safety Checklists associated with FAA 8130.34.
- Proven Track Record: At least 5–8 years of experience in aircraft certification or airworthiness roles, specifically within the UAS or experimental aviation sector.
- Process Architecture: Demonstrated ability to build data-submission frameworks that interface effectively with engineering workflows.
- Communication: Exceptional ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable technical tasks for engineering teams.
- Agency Experience: Established experience coordinating with FAA FSDOs and/or military airworthiness authorities (e.g., US Army, Navy, or Air Force flight safety offices).
- Pathway Transition Expertise: Direct experience managing the strategic shift from Experimental R&D/Market Survey (under 14 CFR 21.191/193) toward Section 44807 exemptions for commercial/early-operational scaling.
- Technical Standards Proficiency: Deep familiarity with industry-standard certification artifacts.
- Military Airworthiness: Experience with MIL-HDBK-516C criteria and the transition of flight clearances (MFR/AWR) across different branches or ranges.
- Systems Engineering Fluency: Ability to evaluate Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) data, Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), and Ground/Flight Test plans to ensure they meet "show of compliance" requirements.
- Tooling & Frameworks: Experience using PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) or Requirements Management tools (e.g., JAMA, Flow) to build repeatable airworthiness dashboards for engineering teams.
- Regulatory Diplomacy: A proven track record of working with the FAA UAS Integration Office and FSDOs, demonstrating a balance of advocacy for the company’s mission with a commitment to rigorous safety standards.
- 120.15. “US Person” includes US Citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees.
Recommended Jobs
Product Management, Staff
We Are: At Synopsys, we drive the innovations that shape the way we live and connect. Our technology is central to the Era of Pervasive Intelligence, from self-driving cars to learning machines. We …
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Job Title: Postdoctoral Research Fellow Annual Base Salary: DOE, $71,000-$98,000 along with bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits package Location: Los Angeles, CA Our Mission Fo…
AI Product Owner
Job Responsibilities: ~Align and manage organization wide AI product development. ~ Measure and communicate business value delivered through various AI initiatives. ~Collaborate with Mattel’s b…
Utility Technician
We're a global leader in providing energy solutions that help businesses grow and communities thrive. We work as a team and we’re proud of the difference we make to customers, to local communitie…
Bilingual Marketing Assistant (Japanese and English)
Position Summary As a new team member of 33 USA Inc., you will take on the role of Bilingual Marketing Assistant. This role supports day-to-day execution across PR, social media, advertising, and …
Litigation Attorney
PSI is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Litigation Attorney to join our legal team in Irvine. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in personal injury law, with experience representi…
Shipping Clerk
Good experience as shipping clerk. Forklift experience is preferred. work involve warehouse picking, housekeeping, lifting boxes RF Scanning experience is preferred
SAT/ACT Tutor (Part Time, After School, In-Person)
Schedule: Typically 1 hour per week for 10 weeks (after school); exact days/times vary by assignment Location: On-site at a partner high school; varies by assignment Start Date: Rolling open…
Fitness Trainer
Benefits: Employee discounts Opportunity for advancement Training & development Wellness resources Job Summary The Fitness Trainer will be responsible for running the Planet Fitne…
Front of House (FOH) Server
Location: San Francisco Design Center – Tapestry Bistro & Bar, San Francisco, CA Company: Infuse Hospitality (part of the Phoenix3 Collective portfolio) About Us Infuse Hospitality delivers e…