Senior Airworthiness & Certification Engineer

About the role

Founded in 1918, Kearfott Corporation, a global Aerospace and Defense supplier for over 100 years, is a leader in the design and manufacture of precision motion control products and inertial navigation components. Kearfott has a very long history of innovation and excellence and is the go-to brand for many of our global clients. Kearfott is trusted, respected and plays a vital role in the success of America’s aerospace and defense industries.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with certification authorities and internal stakeholders to identify required airworthiness artifacts derived from the platform’s Airworthiness Certification Basis.
• Develop and maintain airworthiness compliance matrices for each platform and integration spiral.
• Produce the ACCR, documenting verification results for applicable airworthiness certification criteria.
• Support safety-critical criteria verification within the MBSE modeling plan as part of the Systems Engineering Management Plan.
• Utilize digital engineering tools and collaborative environments to generate certification artifacts in accordance with DI-SESS-81768 guidance.
• RTCA/DO-178C Software Certification Support Plan:
  • Develop and submit a Plan for Software Aspects of Certification (PSAC) for each software item, including newly developed software and Previously Developed Software (PDS).
  • Produce Software Accomplishment Summaries (SAS) in accordance with RTCA/DO-178C.
  • Ensure lifecycle data supports compliance with DO-178C Annex A objectives, including requirements, design, source code, and verification evidence.
  • Support Software Configuration Management (SCM) and Software Quality Assurance (SQA) activities, including audits and inspections.
  • Perform selective audits of software lifecycle data to assess compliance with DO-178C and contract requirements.
• RTCA/DO-254 Hardware Certification Support Plan:
  • Develop and submit a PHAC for each hardware item, including Development Hardware and Previously Developed Hardware.
  • Produce Hardware Accomplishment Summaries (HAS) in accordance with RTCA/DO-254.
  • Ensure hardware lifecycle data supports compliance with DO-254 Annex A objectives, including requirements, design, and test artifacts.
  • Support Hardware Configuration Management, Supplier Surveillance Quality Assurance (SSQA), and certification audits.
  • Conduct selective audits of hardware lifecycle data against DO-254 objectives and contractual requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Electrical, Computer, Systems, or related discipline).
• 7+ years direct experience in certification.
• Experience supporting airworthiness or civil certification activities for airborne systems.
• Working knowledge of RTCA/DO-178C and RTCA/DO-254, including certification planning, lifecycle data, and accomplishment summaries.
• Experience producing or reviewing certification artifacts such as PSACs, PHACs, SAS, HAS, and compliance matrices.
• Familiarity with DAL concepts and safety-critical system development.
• Ability to work across systems, software, hardware, and safety engineering teams.
• Must be a US Citizen and have the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Security Clearance.

Qualifications

• Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with MBSE, digital engineering environments, and model-based verification.
• Familiarity with DOORS.
• Prior interaction with certification authorities or delegated engineering organizations.
• Experience supporting multi-platform or spiral development programs.

Benefits

• In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New Jersey is $120,000 - $170,000 annually.
• We offer a medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with company match, tuition assistance, paid vacation and sick days, paid holidays, and a 9/80 work week with every other Friday off.
• Our work environment embraces our people as we enjoy monthly employee events that celebrate our workplace culture.
• Equal Opportunity Employer/including Disabled/Veterans.