Principle Certification Engineer
Position Summary
Thales is seeking a Principal Certification Engineer to lead and govern the FAA certification strategy and execution for complex, high-impact programs within the In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) and aircraft communications domains. This role ensures structural compliance, certification integrity, and regulatory alignment across the full product lifecycle, including Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) and airframe manufacturer Type Certificate projects.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Define and lead certification strategy for structural compliance across multiple complex programs, ensuring alignment with FAA regulations, ODA requirements, STC requirements, and airframe manufacturer standards.
Provide technical governance and oversight of structural substantiation, type design data, installation drawings, materials, processes, airworthiness limitations, and analysis activities, including statics, dynamics, damage tolerance, loads, materials, FEA, and CFD.
Influence product design and engineering decisions by integrating certification requirements early in the development lifecycle, mitigating program risk, optimizing certification outcomes, and supporting resolution of complex certification challenges, including corrective action plans, AMOCs, and regulatory engagement.
Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary certification and test efforts, including certification planning, structural test strategies, test plans, execution oversight, deviation resolution, compliance validation, requirements flow-down, and delivery performance aligned to program objectives.
Establish and maintain certification processes, standards, and best practices while supporting audits, regulatory reviews, continued airworthiness activities, in-service issue resolution, repair scheme approvals, ICA development, and mentoring engineering talent to elevate organizational capability.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required, advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of progressive experience in aircraft structures engineering and FAA certification, including demonstrated experience leading certification strategy and execution for complex STC or Type Certificate programs.
Deep expertise in structural substantiation methods, including statics, dynamics, damage tolerance, loads, materials, finite element analysis (FEA), and computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
Extensive knowledge of FAA regulatory frameworks, including Title 14 CFR Parts 21, 25, and 26, as well as ODA processes and certification compliance expectations.
Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders, senior leadership, regulatory authorities, airframe manufacturers, and external partners on complex technical and certification matters.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, written communication, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex regulatory and technical requirements into actionable engineering direction.
Special Position Requirements
Experience acting as a primary certification focal, technical lead, or key interface with FAA, ODA, airframe manufacturers, or regulatory authorities.
Advanced knowledge of RTCA DO-160 and related environmental qualification standards.
Experience supporting multiple concurrent certification programs, complex STC programs, Type Certificate programs, or enterprise-level certification initiatives.
Familiarity with global certification environments, including EASA or other international aviation authorities.
Experience driving process improvement, standardization, audit readiness, or best-practice initiatives within certification or engineering organizations.