Certification Compliance Engineer

About the role

The Certification Compliance Engineer serves as the technical authority for certification compliance on aircraft integration STC projects. Holding active FAA delegated authority (DER and/or ODA Engineering Unit Member), the role exercises independent technical judgment in developing certification strategies, issuing compliance findings, and determining compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

The Certification Compliance Engineer is responsible for leading certification execution throughout the project lifecycle, including development of certification plans, coordination of compliance activities, identification of acceptable Means of Compliance, and closure of regulatory findings. The role works closely with engineering teams to develop compliant designs, establish certification requirements, and ensure regulatory considerations are incorporated early in the design process.

In addition to delegated authority responsibilities, the Certification Compliance Engineer provides cross-functional technical leadership across Mechanical, Electrical, Structures, Software, Systems, and Project Engineering disciplines to support successful certification outcomes. The role combines regulatory responsibility, technical leadership, and project execution to ensure aircraft integration solutions are safe, compliant, and certifiable.

FAA Compliance Authority & Certification Execution

• Hold and exercise active FAA delegated authority (DER and/or ODA Engineering Unit Member) within authorized disciplines.
• Issue FAA compliance findings for design, substantiation, inspections, and testing in accordance with FAA regulations, policy, and delegated authority procedures.
• Generate, review, and approve certification data including certification plans, test plans, reports, analyses, and compliance documentation used to demonstrate compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Exercise independent technical judgment in determining compliance with FAA regulations, airworthiness standards, and approved Means of Compliance.
• Maintain compliance with FAA delegation requirements, company procedures, and applicable quality system requirements.
• Uphold the highest standards of safety, professionalism, ethics, and regulatory integrity in the exercise of delegated authority.

Engineering Guidance, Requirements Management & Showing-of-Compliance Leadership

• Lead and guide engineering teams across multiple disciplines in developing compliant aircraft integration designs and certification solutions.
• Partner with Software, Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Structures, Seats, and Project Engineering teams to:
  • Define certification requirements and assumptions.
  • Establish certification bases and Means of Compliance.
  • Develop compliant design approaches.
  • Ensure appropriate compliance traceability throughout the development lifecycle.
• Collaborate with organizations responsible for requirements development to ensure certification and regulatory requirements are appropriately incorporated into Panasonic system, subsystem, and installation requirements.
• Assist engineering teams in translating regulatory requirements into clear, verifiable design and system requirements.
• Identify certification risks early and work with program teams to develop practical, regulator-aligned solutions before program impacts occur.
• Support design reviews, engineering reviews, and technical evaluations to ensure compliance requirements are adequately addressed throughout program execution.
• Reinforce certification as an integrated engineering responsibility rather than a downstream approval activity.

Certification Strategy & Program Execution

• Act as the certification lead for assigned aircraft integration and STC programs.
• Develop and maintain certification plans, certification schedules, certification statements of work, and compliance tracking activities.
• Coordinate certification activities between Panasonic engineering organizations, suppliers, customers, regulatory authorities, and ODA personnel.
• Develop certification strategies that support program objectives while ensuring compliance with FAA and applicable foreign regulatory requirements.
• Manage certification scope, priorities, deliverables, and schedules across multiple programs simultaneously.
• Provide oversight support for aircraft surveys, conformity inspections, ground testing, flight testing, and certification demonstrations as required.
• Troubleshoot certification and design issues through engineering reviews, aircraft inspections, testing activities, and coordination with technical stakeholders.
• Provide onsite support at customer, supplier, aircraft, and testing locations as required to support certification objectives and program execution.

Technical Leadership, Mentorship & Continuous Improvement

• Mentor Certification Project Leads, engineers, and other team members on certification processes, delegated authority responsibilities, and regulatory compliance practices.
• Share lessons learned, best practices, and technical knowledge to strengthen certification capability across the organization.
• Support development and maintenance of certification procedures, training materials, guidance documents, and standard methodologies.
• Participate in Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA), lessons learned, and process improvement initiatives to improve certification quality, consistency, and efficiency.
• Contribute to the development of future technical leaders and delegated authority candidates within AIEC.
• Support continuous improvement of Panasonic's certification processes, compliance practices, and engineering development lifecycle.

Pay

The wage range is $142,000 – $238,000. Actual compensation varies depending on the individual’s knowledge, skills, experience, and location. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonuses and incentives, including but not limited to gainsharing or profit-sharing arrangements, nonqualified deferred compensation, and commissions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or related engineering discipline).
• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible engineering experience, with significant experience in aircraft certification, regulatory compliance, aircraft integration, or aerospace engineering.
• Active FAA delegated authority as a DER and/or ODA Engineering Unit Member within an applicable discipline.
• Demonstrated experience issuing compliance findings and determining compliance with FAA regulations for STC, aircraft modification, or aircraft certification programs.
• Working knowledge of FAA Part 21, Part 25, and associated certification guidance, policy, Orders, and industry practices.
• Proven experience developing certification plans, compliance documentation, certification strategies, and finding closure activities for aircraft certification programs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams and coordinate certification activities involving customers, suppliers, regulatory authorities, and internal stakeholders.
• Proven ability to exercise independent technical judgment and apply regulatory requirements to complex engineering and certification issues.
• Demonstrated expertise in aircraft certification and regulatory compliance, including working knowledge of FAA Part 21, 25, 26, 43, 45, 91, 121, 145, and 183, as well as associated FAA policy, guidance, Orders, and STC processes.