Airworthiness and Certification Engineer

Job Summary:

As a member of the airworthiness certification team, the ACE 2 is responsible for definition, support, and oversight of compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)/Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) requirements. Assist with the certification of products, including the integration of mission equipment to support EMS, firefighting, and rescue operations. Establish applicable certification requirements and guidance and coordinate implementation by technical staff. Prepare and complete Compliance Checklists, Certification Plans, Conformity Inspection Plans, System Safety Analyses, and Compliance Summaries for Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) projects.  Work effectively in a multi-disciplined engineering environment including structures, mechanical/electrical systems, and avionics commonly found in aircraft certified to 14 Parts 21, 27, and 29 giving full consideration to appropriate industry standards including SAE ARP4754B, ARP4761A, RTCA, and others, foreign CAA product qualification standards, and/ or U.S. Military requirements per Mil-HDBK-516C. Provide quality oversight and audit of ODA project files for initial submittal through final approval. Assist with ODA Unit Member (UM) appointment, renewal, and training. Assists with tracking and monitoring ODA UM workloads, schedules, and allocations. Support internal/external audit, continued operational safety, and root cause/corrective action activities. Assist with development and maintenance of the ODA manual, UM charts, training materials, presentations, and meeting minutes. Assist with preparations, scheduling, coordinating, and monitoring of all ODA projects. Assist with development and implementation of department policies and procedures. Work within the Airworthiness Certification Engineering team to impact the company’s ability to consistently meet regulatory, commercial, and technical obligations utilizing strong problem-solving skills. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities include the following.   

• Review previously produced certification documents, drawings, technical data, and test data as benchmarks for preparation of future documents.
• Review and prepare, under the general supervision and with the approval of a more senior airworthiness certification engineer, documents and plans that assure United Rotorcraft Engineering projects comply with regulations. This includes the preparation and completion of compliance checklists, certification plans, conformity inspection plans, and FAA forms, as applicable.
• Review and prepare project substantiating documents required to show compliance with FAA regulations per project compliance check list, including but not limited to Structural/Mechanical/ Electrical/Avionics Compliance documents, Standard Parts Lists, Commercial Parts Lists, Test Plans, Test Reports, Systems Safety, ICA’s, RFMS’s, etc.
• Provide technical review/proofread of project documentation.
• Represent department during meetings with program management, other senior leaders, general staff, and with government representatives (Internal and external).
• Participate in audits to include FAA and internal audits. Assist in development of RCCAs and implementation of corrective actions.
• Support the administration of ODA Unit Members, including coordination of the application and onboarding process, tracking and verification of required training, dissemination of new or revised FAA guidance materials, auditing of personnel qualification records, and preparation of FAA submittals related to authorized work activities.
• Support quote LOEs and maintain project schedules for ODA/FAA activities. Coordinate with FAA designees to validate data approvals and ensure compliance to regulatory requirements. Allocate designee resources for on-site inspections and tasks. Conduct audits of project folders to confirm inclusion of all mandatory documentation. Facilitate formal submission of compliance data to the FAA.
• Participates in administrative tasks related to operating the department such as (but not limited to) participating in department meetings, training, and development activity, accurately recording time and labor.
• Other Duties as assigned

Additional Job Requirements

• Regular on-site scheduled attendance
• Indicate the percentage of time spent traveling < 5%

Subject to applicable laws and Air Method’s policies, regular attendance is an essential function of the position.  All employees must follow Air Methods’ employment practices and policies.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.           

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  In accordance with applicable laws, Air Methods will provide reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden so disabled employees may perform the essential functions of the position.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) in Aeronautical, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering; or 5 - 7 years’ equivalent education and experience in an authorized repair station, air carrier, working directly engineering design and associated methods of compliance data to alter type design or develop non-OEM repairs for maintain and return-to-service 14 CFR, part 23, 25, 27, and/or part 29 aircraft.
• 5 – 8 years of experience related to FAA aircraft certification activities
• 5 – 8 years analysis, design and development experience in aviation field
• Proficient understanding of the FAA certification process per 14 CFR Part 21, including development of FAA approved/ accepted ELOS and AMOC definition.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the identification and interpretation of FAA guidance including Orders, Advisory Circulars, Airworthiness Directives, and Policy Letters
• Fluency of, and documented experience with, US Department of Defense (DOD) product qualification requirements (preferred).
• Direct experience working with the FAA and/or ODA personnel and designees 
• Competent in reviewing and interpreting aircraft maintenance documents, flight manuals, and other OEM data 

Skills

• Strong ambition, decision making, customer focus, desire for knowledge
• Strong interpersonal skills and a high degree of collaboration at all levels
• Ability to be a team player with a professional attitude striving for continuous improvement
• Expert written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated command of scholarly and legal-style technical authorship.
• Demonstrated expertise in the ability to directly and indirectly influence regulatory authorities and certifying agencies, or their representatives, in the adequate resourcing and processing of projects and applicant data.  Excellent organizational skills, detail oriented, ability to prioritize and multi-task and meet deadlines

Computer Skills

• Proficient with Microsoft Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Proficient with Adobe Acrobat
• Basic experience with CAD software packages such as SolidWorks preferred
• Strong open-source researcher of regulatory, industry, and equipment OEM information.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• A&P licensees, Engineering in Training (EIT)/Professional Engineer (PE) certifications, and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), INCOSE ASE/PSE, National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies (NCATT) and Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) preferred.

Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.

Air Methods is an EEO/AA employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.