Engineer Systems 3
About The Position
The Principal Airworthiness Engineer supports certification and compliance activities for advanced air vehicle systems, ensuring aircraft and unmanned systems meet airworthiness requirements throughout the product lifecycle. Activities span development and testing through certification, operational approval, and continued airworthiness. The role calls for expertise in aviation certification, systems engineering, and regulatory compliance, as well as collaboration across multidisciplinary engineering teams. This is a contract position based fully onsite in San Diego, California. The stated pay range is $100.00–$120.00 per hour. The position is anticipated to close on November 5, 2026. Some benefits may be available depending on eligibility, job classification, and length of employment.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another STEM-related discipline and 5 or more years of relevant experience; or a master's degree with 3 or more years of relevant experience; or a PhD with 1 or more year of relevant experience.
- Knowledge of MIL-HDBK-516D airworthiness requirements.
- Experience developing airworthiness plans, certification strategies, and related compliance activities.
- Experience supporting UAS/RPAS airworthiness authorizations and type certification efforts.
- Ability to obtain a DoD Secret Clearance.
Nice To Haves
- Experience supporting military aircraft development or modification programs.
- Knowledge of military and/or civil aviation certification processes.
- Familiarity with UAS/RPAS platforms and operations.
- Experience in structures, flight technologies, air vehicle subsystems, avionics, mission payload integration, system safety, flight test, or configuration management.
- Familiarity with Airworthiness Policy Directives, Instructions, and Airworthiness Bulletins.
- Experience with Control Account Management (CAM), Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), Integrated Master Scheduling (IMS), and forecasting activities.
- Experience working directly with military or civil airworthiness authorities.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and SharePoint.
- Active DoD Secret Clearance or higher.
Responsibilities
- Lead airworthiness planning and verification activities for complex aerospace systems.
- Develop and support airworthiness plans, certification strategies, bases of certification, and means of compliance.
- Coordinate with engineering teams to ensure compliance across system design, fabrication, testing, installation, operation, maintenance, and disposal.
- Translate customer and regulatory requirements into engineering criteria, derived requirements, and certification objectives.
- Support flight releases, type certification efforts, airspace integration activities, and continued airworthiness programs.
- Manage and maintain type design data and certification evidence required for military and civil airworthiness approval.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external authorities to achieve certification milestones.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to certification processes and compliance activities.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions
- Voluntary life and AD&D insurance for employees and dependents
- Short- and long-term disability
- Health Spending Account (HSA)
- Transportation benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Time off/leave, including PTO, vacation, or sick leave
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Senior
