Certification Project Lead

Northrop Grumman; Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development support

Hybrid working options

Salary packaging options

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Australia is seeking an experienced Certification Project Lead to join our Design & Certification team. You will own certification activities across Defence aviation programs, guiding projects from concept through to approval and collaborating with engineering, Defence stakeholders and regulators.

This role offers leadership in airworthiness, governance, and complex programs across multiple aircraft types, with opportunities to mentor peers and influence certification strategies

Qualifications

• Extensive professional engineering experience within aviation environments.
• Strong knowledge of airworthiness and certification requirements, including DASR Part 21 environments.
• Experience working with customers, operators, maintainers, regulators and aviation stakeholders.
• A proven ability to lead technical outcomes within multidisciplinary environments.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• The ability to obtain and maintain an NV1 Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead certification planning and execution across Defence aviation programs.
• Coordinate certification strategies, compliance demonstration and approval activities.
• Work closely with Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA), Military Type Certificate Holder organisations and customer representatives.
• Guide engineering teams through airworthiness requirements and compliance obligations.
• Coordinate certification programs, investigations, repairs and compliance activities.
• Support engineering governance and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical leadership, coaching and mentoring across the engineering community.

Skills

Communication skills

Influencing skills

Engineering leadership

Education

Bachelor of Engineering (Aeronautical, Aerospace or equivalent)

Job description

AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION: No

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE TYPE: AU- Secret (NV1)

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

Help Define the Future of Defence Aviation

At Northrop Grumman Australia, we don't just support aircraft. We enable capability that protects Australia. With more than 800 employees nationally and backing from one of the world's leading aerospace and defence organisations, we're delivering sovereign capability across Defence aviation, mission systems, space and guided weapons. As we continue to grow, so do the opportunities for our people to build meaningful, long-term careers across multiple aircraft platforms, programs and engineering disciplines.

We're looking for an experienced Certification Project Lead to join our Design & Certification team.

This is an opportunity for someone who wants to move beyond compliance administration and become a recognised leader in airworthiness, certification and engineering governance.

The Opportunity

Behind every aircraft modification, capability upgrade, repair scheme and engineering change is one critical question: Can we prove it is safe, compliant and airworthy?

As a Certification Project Lead, you'll be the person helping answer that question.

You will take ownership of certification activities across complex Defence aviation programs, leading engagement with engineering teams, Defence stakeholders, certification authorities and Military Type Certificate Holders to guide projects from concept through to approval. You'll play a central role in shaping certification strategies, coordinating compliance activities, and ensuring engineering solutions meet the rigorous requirements expected within Defence aviation environments.

This role offers the rare opportunity to influence certification outcomes across multiple aircraft types, programs and technologies while working alongside some of Australia's leading aviation and engineering professionals.

Why This Role Stands Out

Many certification roles focus on maintaining compliance.

This role is about leading it.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Influence certification strategies across nationally significant Defence programs
• Work directly with senior engineering leaders, Defence stakeholders, regulators and airworthiness authorities
• Lead complex certification projects from planning through to approval
• Mentor and develop the next generation of certification and engineering professionals
• Build expertise across multiple aviation platforms rather than being tied to a single fleet
• Travel across Australia to support program activities, stakeholder engagement and Defence aviation operations
• Develop a long-term career path within one of the world's most respected aerospace and defence organisations

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead certification planning and execution across Defence aviation programs
• Coordinate certification strategies, compliance demonstration and approval activities
• Work closely with Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA), Military Type Certificate Holder organisations and customer representatives
• Guide engineering teams through airworthiness requirements and compliance obligations
• Coordinate certification programs, investigations, repairs and compliance activities
• Support engineering governance and continuous improvement initiatives
• Provide technical leadership, coaching and mentoring across the engineering community

What we offer:

• Professional development and further education support
• Career opportunities across multiple programs and locations
• Salary packaging including novated car leases and the option to purchase additional annual leave.
• Opportunities to broaden your technical and leadership capability
• Health and wellbeing initiatives
• Flexible working options, including hybrid working, volunteer leave and varying start and finish times to suit your family needs.

About You

• Bachelor of Engineering (Aeronautical, Aerospace or equivalent)
• Extensive professional engineering experience within aviation environments
• Strong knowledge of airworthiness and certification requirements, including DASR Part 21 environments
• Experience working with customers, operators, maintainers, regulators and aviation stakeholders
• A proven ability to lead technical outcomes within multidisciplinary environments
• Strong communication and influencing skills
• The ability to obtain and maintain an NV1 Security Clearance.

Build More Than a Job. Build a Career. Defining Possible. Together.

Everyone Matters

At Northrop Grumman Australia, we do the right thing, do what we promise, commit to shared success and pioneer innovative solutions to some of the world's most challenging problems. These values underpin everything we do and create an environment where talented people can thrive.

We welcome applications from diverse backgrounds and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

If you're ready to apply your airworthiness and certification expertise where it truly matters and build a long-term career shaping the future of Defence aviation, we'd love to hear from you.

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