Principal Engineer - Airworthiness Policy

Um Holdings; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is seeking a Principal Engineer for Airworthiness Policy to provide senior strategic and program expertise across NOS and ETRC.

The role leads complex programs, translates strategic intent into deliverables, and collaborates with CASA leaders to achieve regulatory outcomes while maintaining safety and organisational value. The role may require additional hours and involves governance, risk and cross-divisional coordination.

Qualifications

• Experience leading strategic programs from conception to evaluation.
• Ability to translate priorities into practical programs with clear measures.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex strategic programs aligning with CASA priorities.
• Translate technical work into business outcomes and CASA-wide impact.
• Engage with CASA senior leaders to build consensus without formal authority.
• Ensure delivery within timeframes, governance and risk management.

Skills

Strategic program leadership

Stakeholder influence

Regulatory policy experience

Excellent communication

Job description

Principal Engineer - Airworthiness Policy

The ETRC Principal – Strategic Programs (CS5) is a member of the National Operations and Standards (NOS) division and Emerging Technology and Regulatory Change (ETRC) branch.

The position provides senior strategic and program expertise to support the development and implementation of complex, high-priority initiatives that contribute to CASA’s strategic direction, regulatory outcomes and organisational capability.

While accountable to the National Manager, this position leads and contributes to complex programs and strategic initiatives, translating strategic intent into practical priorities, deliverables and outcomes. This position operates with significant autonomy and uses strong strategic judgement to identify opportunities, challenge assumptions, connect work across the organisation and influence decisions without formal authority.The position provides a bridge between strategy and execution, supporting CASA to translate emerging issues, strategic priorities and organisational needs into coordinated programs of work, while maintaining a focus on sustainable outcomes and organisational value.

The role is expected to work reasonable additional hours beyond the ordinary hours of work, which may include work on weekends or outside the span of hours. Working additional hours should be regarded as the exception rather than the rule and where additional hours are worked the occupant will be compensated in accordance with CASA’s Enterprise Agreement.

This positions key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development, planning and delivery of complex strategic programs and initiatives that support CASA’s priorities and delivery measurable organisational and regulatory outcomes.
• Providing expertise in managing and delivering strategic projects and programs within tight timeframes and shaping long term strategy and work plans to deliver outcomes aligned with CASA’s priorities and have CASA-wide impact.
• Partnering across teams and with CASA senior leaders to drive alignment, acting as a trusted advisor and building consensus around technical or other strategic directions without formal authority.
• Translating technical work into business outcomes, by connecting expertise to organisational strategy, and balancing short-term needs with long-term vision.
• Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and strengthening CASA’s capability to plan, prioritise and deliver complex strategic initiatives.
• Delivering agreed programs of work in accordance with timeframes, resources and governance requirements, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement and management of risks, dependencies and issues.
• Sharing knowledge and expertise with others to multiply others’ effectiveness.
• Maintaining a positive health and safety culture, 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.
• Demonstrating awareness of the diverse histories, cultures, and experiences of First Nations Peoples and other cultural groups. Communicating with respect and understanding of balancing work, family and community responsibilities.
• Initiating, leading, positively engaging in and supporting others through change.
• Other duties as required.

Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Experience leading complex strategic programs, projects or initiatives from conception through to implementation and evaluation within a complex organisation
• Ability to translate strategic priorities into practical programs of work, including defining outcomes, priorities, dependencies, risks, resources and measures of success.
• Excellent professional and/or technical expertise with the ability to integrate expertise and professional judgement into complex and sensitive matters.
• A proven track record of identifying opportunities, building trust and influencing stakeholders, including senior management, to create positive lasting organisational impact.
• Wide-ranging experience interpreting and adapting policies and procedures, to make recommendations or take informed decisions with limited guidance.
• A demonstrated ability to build credibility across all levels of the organisation and the ability to drive alignment without formal authority.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to translate complex ideas or issues clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Mandatory Qualifications, licences and experience

• Extensive relevant experience in strategic development, organisational transformation, regulatory reform, complex program delivery, or a related field within a complex environment sectors.

Desirable Qualifications, licences and experience

• An 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.
• Experience applying program or project management methodologies to complex strategic initiatives in an. aerospace and/or emerging aviation technologies and/or high technology.
• People leadership/management/coaching/mentoring experience, preferably in a regulatory environment.

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 level of security clearance as required.

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.

Contact Officer for enquiries: Joanna Seabrook | ***************@casa.gov.au | 0893662***

Closing Date for Applications: 11:30pm, AEST Sunday 18 October 2026