Certification Lead Engineer

Northrop Grumman; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Australia is seeking a Certification Lead Engineer to head airworthiness, certification, and safety activities for our unmanned aerospace capability. You will lead a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with Defence and industry stakeholders to ensure safe, compliant design changes and effective engineering solutions.

In this leadership role, you will manage four direct reports, drive technical excellence, and shape the certification strategy across programs while upholding

Qualifications

• Engineering degree and significant Defence or aerospace experience.
• Proven leadership of technical or engineering teams.
• Experience in aviation certification, modification and repair activities.
• Strong knowledge of airworthiness and system safety principles.
• Working knowledge of DASR requirements.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Ability to obtain a TSPV security clearance or higher.

Responsibilities

• Lead airworthiness, certification, system safety and design assurance activities.
• Directly manage a team of four engineers and coordinate with Defence and industry partners.
• Ensure safe, compliant delivery of design changes and engineering solutions.
• Drive certification strategy across programs.

Skills

Engineering degree

Defence/aerospace experience

Leadership of technical teams

Airworthiness knowledge

Aviation certification experience

DASR knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION: Yes

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE: AU-Top Secret (NV2)

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

Join Northrop Grumman Australia and lead the engineering certification activities supporting one of Australia’s most advanced unmanned aerospace capabilities.

As the Certification Lead Engineer , you’ll lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for airworthiness, certification, system safety and design assurance activities. Working closely with Defence and industry stakeholders, you’ll ensure safe, compliant and effective delivery of design changes, repairs and engineering solutions. This is a genuine leadership role with 4 direct reports and responsibility for developing a high-performing team of engineering specialists.

About You

You will bring:

• Engineering degree and significant Defence or aerospace experience
• Proven leadership of technical or engineering teams
• Experience in aviation certification, modification and repair activities
• Strong knowledge of airworthiness and system safety principles
• Working knowledge of DASR requirements
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Candidates must be able to achieve a TSPV security clearance to work in this role. Candidates who already have this clearance or a clearance at Baseline or NV1/NV2 will be highly regarded.

Why Join Us?

• Work on a nationally significant Defence capability
• Lead a highly skilled engineering team
• Influence the future of UAS certification in Australia
• Collaborate with Defence, OEM and international partners
• Access outstanding career development opportunities within a global defence organisation

Everyone Matters

Doing the right thing and sharing success are two values underpinning how we behave at Northrop Grumman. Here, everyone matters including candidates from diverse backgrounds.

We are particularly proud of our commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as demonstrated through our Second Innovate RAP (2024-2026), and our support for Veteran employment, and welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Veterans to apply to join our team.

As a Defence security clearance is required for this role, you must be an Australian Citizen. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) are applicable, as such your nationality may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role. You will also need to satisfy police checks and employment screening verification.

We are proud to be WORK180 accredited – check us out here Northrop Grumman Australia | WORK180 Endorsed Employer