Aircraft Certification Design Engineer

DAHER•Sandpoint, ID

1d•$135,000 - $165,000•Onsite

About The Position

Daher is seeking a Certification Engineer. This is a high impact role, acting as primary certification coordinator for all Kodiak type design changes and serving as the focal for Kodiak’s relationship with the FAA. This role provides technical and regulatory guidance on type design changes, manages major and minor change classifications, and ensures compliance with 14 CFR Part 23 and Part 21 requirements. The position involves close coordination with the FAA West Certification Branch (WCB), support for foreign validations, and strategic navigation of evolving regulatory policies. Additional responsibilities include preparing certification plans and compliance documentation, maintaining conformity oversight, and supporting continued operational safety activities such as Service Bulletin and Airworthiness Directive management, 21.3 reporting, and root cause analysis to uphold airworthiness and fleet safety standards.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or related engineering discipline
Minimum 10 years of aerospace experience, including at least 3 years of direct involvement in certification activities such as certification plans, FAA coordination, DER collaboration
Strong knowledge of 14 CFR Part 23 (Amendment 23-63 preferred)
Working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 21, Subpart D, FAA Order 8110.4, and Minor Change Agreement (MCA) processes
Experience with or familiarity with foreign validation processes and international certification authorities
Ability to manage certification plans, compliance checklists, compliance documentation, and conformity activities for certification programs
Familiarity with system safety processes, including FHA, SSA, and FMEA as used in general aviation

Nice To Haves

Broad understanding of aircraft systems architecture, aerodynamics, aircraft performance, stability and control, and flight system
Familiarity with DO-160 environmental qualification requirements and testing
Experience supporting Continued Operational Safety (COS) activities, including service bulletins, airworthiness directives, regulatory reporting, and corrective actions
Familiarity with Safety Management Systems (SMS), reliability programs, continued airworthiness data analysis, and risk assessment methodologies
Understanding of Part 21, Part 39, configuration management, and technical publication processes related to fielded aircraft

Responsibilities

Lead certification activities for design changes and major certification programs, including development and maintenance of compliance checklists (CCLs), compliance documentation, and test plans
Coordinate with DERs, the FAA, and international aviation authorities to support certification, validation, and approval activities
Review and classify all type design changes as major or minor in accordance with the approved Minor Change Agreement (MCA)
Provide technical and regulatory guidance to cross-functional teams and ensure applicable regulations are adequately addressed in change substantiation
Monitor evolving regulatory policies and develop strategies to support certification and product development objectives
Support fleet continued operational safety (COS) activities