Aviation Safety Staff Engineer (Design, Certification, MMEL, and Operations)

Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l. • Tysons, VA

128d • $96,027 - $137,179

About The Position

The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the largest airline pilot union in the world and the largest non-governmental aviation safety organization in the world (representing over 80,000 pilots at 43 U.S. and Canadian airlines) seeks an experienced Staff Engineer for our Tysons (McLean), Virginia office. The Staff Engineer provides staff coordination and liaison with government, industry, and professional stakeholders on behalf of the Air Safety Organization and other Association committees, MECs, and National Officers, as assigned by the department Director or Manager. Their specific focus is in the policy areas of aircraft design, certification, continuing airworthiness, operations specifications, and aircraft maintenance, including master minimum equipment list (MMEL) policies and procedures. They provide coordination and technical support to the Air Safety Organization, accident and incident investigations, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transport Canada (TC) pilot certificate enforcement action cases, and other safety investigations in the areas of aircraft design, manufacturing, and maintenance. The Staff Engineer effectively represents the Association and the department, interacting with government and industry safety officials on a routine basis, advocating on behalf of the Association’s priorities from a policy perspective. They are also routinely tasked to use their engineering training and experience to analyze internal and external airworthiness and certification related data to identify trends and develop potential safety risk mitigation strategies. In coordination with relevant committees and staff members, they develop and coordinate written communications to membership, government, and industry groups outlining ALPA positions on a wide variety of operational safety issues. While this position requires engineering expertise, it is a policy position. The staff engineer will be routinely asked to translate engineering information into summaries for department management and leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in relevant area, e.g., Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineering.
• Three (3) years of related experience in the civilian aviation industry; five (5) or more strongly preferred.
• Experience in U.S. and/or Canadian Aviation Regulations (FARs and CARs).
• Familiarization with policy activities including ARAC, CARAC, and ARC processes.
• Experience in Part 25 airplane design and/or Part 121 operations and continuing airworthiness.
• Strong technical writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Pilot’s license with an instrument rating.
• FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification (A&P license).
• Experience with NTSB and/or TSB accident investigation processes.
• Public speaking skills.
• Experience in large aircraft manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Provide staff coordination and liaison with government, industry, and professional stakeholders.
• Focus on policy areas of aircraft design, certification, continuing airworthiness, operations specifications, and aircraft maintenance.
• Provide coordination and technical support to the Air Safety Organization and safety investigations.
• Represent the Association and department in interactions with government and industry safety officials.
• Analyze airworthiness and certification related data to identify trends and develop safety risk mitigation strategies.
• Develop and coordinate written communications to membership, government, and industry groups.

Benefits

• 401k Plan with Non-Elective Employer Contribution of 12% plus 2% into a Market-Based Cash Balance Plan.
• Generous health care benefits on day one including medical, dental, and vision.
• 15 days paid vacation and 13 holidays per year plus 2 volunteer days.
• Generous sick and bereavement leave.
• Competitive parental leave.
• Company-paid premiums for disability and life insurance.
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings accounts.
• Retiree health plan.
• Education Assistance Program.
• Optional benefits including pet insurance and legal plan.
• Partial remote work opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees