Company Overview
[$COMPANY_OVERVIEW]
Role Overview
As Chief A&P (Airframe & Powerplant) Engineer, you will own the technical airworthiness and certification strategy for [$COMPANY_NAME]'s next-generation aircraft programs. Reporting directly to the VP of Engineering, you will architect maintenance and reliability systems that ensure FAA/EASA compliance while pushing the boundaries of composite structures, turbine propulsion, and predictive maintenance analytics. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will steer multidisciplinary teams through STC, PMA, and TC certification projects valued at $200M+ annually.
Responsibilities
- Define and govern the company’s global airworthiness roadmap, integrating MSG-3 analysis, reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), and digital-twin health monitoring
- Lead DER/ODA conformity inspections, test-plan approvals, and certification deliverables for Part 25/29 aircraft and Part 33 engines
- Establish structural repair manuals (SRM), illustrated parts catalogs (IPC), and maintenance planning documents (MPD) that exceed 99.5% dispatch reliability targets
- Mentor a staff of 25+ A&P engineers, DERs, and DMIRs; conduct technical design reviews for fatigue-critical structures, turbine hot-section life limits, and composite bonded joints
- Drive root-cause investigations on in-service events using FRACAS, Weibull analysis, and borescope/NDT data; issue AD/SB compliance recommendations within 72 hours
- Negotiate certification basis with FAA AEG, EASA CM, and Transport Canada; manage issue papers and equivalent level of safety (ELOS) findings
- Champion digital-thread initiatives—linking Siemens Teamcenter, ATA Spec 2200, and ARINC 665 datasets—to automate LOPA, W&B, and EWIS compliance reports
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering; Master’s preferred
- Current FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license plus 15+ years of turbine-aircraft certification experience (Part 25/33)
- DER or ODA Unit Member authorization in Structures or Powerplant disciplines
- Demonstrated success leading at least two full-type certification programs from concept to TC issuance
- Deep expertise in composite stress analysis (B-basis allowables, damage-tolerance), turbine engine cycle-degradation modeling, and MSG-3 task development
- Proficiency with NASTRAN, HyperSizer, ANSYS, and fatigue-spectral loading tools
- Secret-level security clearance eligibility
Preferred Qualifications
- Ph.D. in gas-turbine aerodynamics or structural dynamics
- Experience with hydrogen fuel-cell and hybrid-electric propulsion certification paths
- Exposure to Military (MIL-HDBK-516), CS-25 SC-E19, and FAA Part 26 aging-aircraft rules
- Programming fluency in Python or MATLAB for automating ADS-2 airworthiness analytics
- Published technical papers or patents in advanced repair schemes (cold-spray, SPF/DB, additive manufacturing)
Technical Skills and Relevant Technologies
- FAA/EASA regulations: 14 CFR 25/33/26, CS-25, Part 21, Part 145
- Certification tools: DOORS, Jama, CAMEO Systems Modeler, IHS Markit AD/SB libraries
- Stress & fatigue: NASGRO, AFGROW, Cooper Harper rating scales
- Engine health: GE System 1, Pratt & Whitney EHM, Rolls-Royce EngineWise
- Digital twins: ANSYS Twin Builder, Azure IoT, OPC UA avionics telemetry
- Configuration management: Teamcenter, ENOVIA, CMPRO
Soft Skills and Cultural Fit
- Proven ability to brief C-suite and regulatory authorities with data-driven storytelling
- High-tolerance for ambiguity; thrives in a start-up pace while maintaining large-OEM rigor
- Collaborative leadership style—breaks silos between design, production, and maintenance organizations
- Relentless safety ethic; champions just-culture principles and human-factors engineering
Benefits and Perks
Base salary range: [$SALARY_RANGE] plus 30% annual STIP and long-term equity
- Executive medical, dental, and vision with zero employee premiums
- 12 weeks paid sabbatical every 4 years
- Company-paid FAA DER renewal and conference attendance (AIAA, SAE, MRO Americas)
- Relocation package including household goods shipment and 60-day temporary housing
- On-site flight-training benefit—up to $15k annually toward PPL or type rating
Equal Opportunity Statement
[$COMPANY_NAME] is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Location
This position is based in [$COMPANY_LOCATION] with global travel averaging 25%.