Principal Engineer - Airworthiness Policy

UM Holdings; Canberra; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

CASA is seeking a Principal Engineer - Airworthiness Policy to drive complex airworthiness policy development, regulatory change projects, and collaboration with industry and government partners. You will lead standards development, advise on policy changes, and manage ICAO compliance reporting.

The role requires an engineering degree, extensive experience in airworthiness, and strong leadership and negotiation skills across multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Development of airworthiness policy and guidance materials.
• Experience with regulatory change proposals and industry consultation.
• Advanced negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide policy recommendations on complex airworthiness issues.
• Lead airworthiness standards development, policy and legislation projects.
• Collaborate with government, industry, and internal teams to implement changes.
• Develop agreements with other aviation authorities and report ICAO status.
• Identify risks and drive continuous improvement within the team.
• Coach colleagues and support health and safety in the workplace.

Skills

Airworthiness policy

Regulatory change

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Negotiation

Education

Engineering degree (Professional Engineer)

Job description

Principal Engineer - Airworthiness Policy

As a member of CASA’s Aviation Technical Workforce (ATW), a Principal Engineer - Airworthiness Policy makes a significant contribution to team outcomes, performing complex to highly complex tasks working with limited direction from a Manager and National Manager. The role sits within a team of aviation and engineering professionals and other related staff, who work collaboratively to deliver on and complete complex to highly complex regulatory policy tasks that deliver on CASA’s strategic operational priorities and work plans.

The Principal Engineer - Airworthiness Policy is a member of the Airworthiness and Engineering Branch that is responsible for airworthiness policy, legislation, guidance material, internal procedures and processes, as well as; aircraft certification; oversight of design and production approval holders; monitoring and addressing unsafe conditions of in-service aircraft; and maintaining Australia's airworthiness obligations under the Chicago Convention and other international agreements.

As the Principal Engineer - Airworthiness Policy you will:

• Exercise decision making and provide professional airworthiness policy recommendations on a range of complex to highly complex airworthiness policy, standards, and regulatory change matters in compliance with applicable legislation, standards, policy, and guidance material, CASA’s Corporate Plan, policies, practices and standards, and in accordance with CASA’s Regulatory Philosophy and assigned delegations.
• Demonstrate leadership to achieve results by working collaboratively with colleagues, providing detailed, timely and constructive input, sharing knowledge and managing performance in accordance with CASA’s Values, policies and practices.
• Actively lead work programs that deliver the various elements of CASA’s strategies and priorities including but not limited to leading airworthiness standards development projects, including policy and legislation development, industry consultation, and implementation activities. Identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Work professionally with regulated entities, government departments, the aviation sector and the public when providing airworthiness policy and regulatory change services drawing on expertise to provide advice and technical guidance.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team of aviation technical and policy specialists, including internal and external stakeholders, to develop airworthiness policy, standards, and regulatory changes, develop airworthiness agreements with other National Aviation Authorities, keep ICAO compliance status reports of relevant airworthiness legislation up to date, and manage CASA responses to ICAO airworthiness protocols and corrective actions, and present that information to relevant stakeholders or delegates through high quality reports with clear recommendations, identifying any risks and/or systemic issues.
• Assess and analyse industry information, engage with stakeholders, monitor other external influences, assess policy risk, and investigate potential scenarios to develop airworthiness policy, standards, and regulatory change proposals.
• Contribute to colleagues’ development by providing timely and constructive feedback in accordance with CASA’s Values, policies and practices.
• Coach and mentor colleagues and assist in developing their understanding of the regulator’s role.
• Contribute to maintaining a positive health and safety culture at CASA, including psychosocial wellbeing in the workplace and providing input, where appropriate, into decisions that may impact upon personal health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace.
• Positively engage in and respond to change, including supporting others through change.
• Other duties as required.

Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate must demonstrate the following:

• Demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience relating to the development of airworthiness policy, standards, regulatory change proposals, advisory and guidance material, and associated procedures.
• Ability to work under broad direction from CASA in accordance with established regulatory practices, operational needs, procedures, and assigned delegations.
• Ability to exercise initiative, analysis, problem solving, judgement, and decision-making and apply technical knowledge and expertise on complex to highly complex matters, and/or unusual matters where standards, policies and procedures may not always cover the circumstances.
• Advanced negotiation, facilitation, influencing and communication skills (written and verbal), to manage disparate views amongst stakeholders, including at senior levels.
• Lead by example and coach others in the completion of discreet work tasks to deliver outcomes or initiatives in complex environments, with the ability to assess emerging issues and trends which may impact on the achievement of outcomes, including developing work plans, allocating work and monitoring progress and outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to actively engage in effective stakeholder management, including with regulated entities, on sensitive and complex issues requiring conflict resolution within constrained time limits.
• A proven ability to seek out diverse perspectives to identify opportunities and improvements.
• In-depth understanding of aviation industry, civil aviation legislation, and relevant national and international aviation standards.

Mandatory qualifications, licenses and experience

• University level engineering qualification that is applicable to the identified area of specialisation and be eligible for membership of Engineers Australia in the Professional Engineer occupational category.

OR

• Aircraft maintenance engineer licence (or foreign or Defence aircraft maintenance authorisation) and other relevant qualifications.

AND

• 8+ years minimum recent experience in relevant job specialisation as listed above.
• In-depth understanding of Australia’s Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act), and relevant CASRs and CARs, guidance materials and other legislation, or similar aviation regulatory regime.

Desirable qualifications, licenses and experience

• Coaching and mentoring of others, preferably in a regulatory environment.
• Hold or be eligible to hold an Australian Security Identification Card (ASIC).
• Policy experience.
• Recent application of knowledge across a range of policy and regulatory change duties, with high complexity.
• An Australian Class C driver’s licence.

Eligibility Requirements

Employment with CASA is subject to conditions prescribed within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act) and the CASA Enterprise Agreement. The following eligibility requirements apply to this position:

At a minimum, prospective CASA employees must undergo pre-employment screening and must be willing to provide the required information to successfully undergo a police record check.

The position’s occupant must be an Australian citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain the required level of security clearance as required.

As an employee in a safety sensitive position, perform, or be available to perform, safety sensitive aviation activities, as defined in the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.

Undertake and pass a pre-employment alcohol and drug test as part of CASA’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Directive and Procedure.

About our Division

National Operations and Standards Division is responsible for the development and maintenance of the civil aviation safety regulatory scheme, associated guidance and supporting materials.This includes the consideration of policy initiatives and engaging with stakeholders on international standards and recommended practices and their associated documents. The range of responsibilities includes personnel licensing, flight operations, airworthiness, air navigation, airspace, aerodromes, and remotely piloted aircraft systems. The Division is also responsible for provision of regulatory services and surveillance, including aircraft certification and production and simulator certification.

Affirmative Measures

This vacancy is being advertised concurrently under a general and an affirmative measure recruitment process.

Affirmative measures is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait people or people living with a disability, evidence will be requested if your application progresses under an affirmative measures process.

About us

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) primary function is to conduct the safety regulation of civil air operations in Australia, Australian civil airspace and the operation civil air operations in Australia, Australian civil airspace and the operation of Australian aircraft overseas.

CASA is committed to having a flexible and inclusive workplace and recognises and values the diversity of the wider Australian community.

We encourage and welcome applications from people with Disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature age people.

Culture and benefits

We value our people. CASA values social and cultural diversity and is committed to a safe workplace. We are committed to the attraction, recruitment and retention of Indigenous Australians and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

CASA is committed to attaining and retaining the highest quality of skilled professionals and providing a desirable work environment in which they can maximise their talent and potential. We provide rewarding careers, promote work-life balance and support professional and personal development.

Closing Date for Applications: 11:30pm, AEST Sunday 4 October 2026