Director, Airworthiness

Dehavilland; Calgary, Mississauga; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a pioneering aerospace company as a Director of Airworthiness, where your expertise will lead the charge in maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance. In this pivotal role, you will implement and oversee the Airworthiness Control System and ensure adherence to regulatory frameworks. Collaborate with a talented team to drive innovation and excellence in aircraft design and certification processes. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in an industry that is constantly evolving, and to work with cutting-edge technology in a dynamic environment. If you are passionate about aviation and have a strong leadership background, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of aerospace engineering experience required.
• Advanced knowledge in specific engineering fields and management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations of the Design Approval Organization (DAO) and ensure compliance.
• Oversee Transport Canada certification and continuing airworthiness processes.

Skills

Aerospace Engineering

Regulatory Framework Knowledge

Safety Management System (SMS)

Risk Management

Technical Leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering

Tools

Problem-Solving Methodology

Job description

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (DHC) is a storied name in the aerospace industry, recognized worldwide for its pioneering contributions to aviation and its unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and reliability. Headquartered in Calgary, AB, DHC currently has approximately 1,400 employees across British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, as well as in markets and distribution hubs worldwide.

Established in 1928, De Havilland Canada has a rich history marked by the development of some of the most iconic and versatile aircraft ever built. These aircraft have served a variety of roles—from bush flying to commercial aviation—and are celebrated for their rugged durability, operational versatility, and excellence in performance.

Over the decades, De Havilland Canada has evolved to meet the changing needs of the aviation industry. Today, we are more than just an aircraft manufacturer; we are a comprehensive aerospace company with capabilities that span design, production, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. Our operations are supported by a team of skilled engineers, technicians, and industry professionals who are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of craftsmanship and innovation.

Position Summary

The Director, Airworthiness is responsible for implementing, operating, and maintaining the Airworthiness Control System (ACS), the Design Approval Organization (DAO) and SMS (Safety Management System) within the Engineering function.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

1. Lead the day-to-day operations of the De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Design Approval Organization (DAO) on behalf of the Head of the DAO, ensuring sufficient DAD coverage, and up to date DAO practices and procedures.
2. Lead the Transport Canada certification and foreign validation activities for all new and changed De Havilland Canada Type Designs, including Supplemental Type Designs.
3. Lead the De Havilland Canada Continuing Airworthiness processes.
4. Support the regulatory activities associated with aircraft delivery, operation, and training.
5. Lead all regulatory interface with Transport Canada on matters of design approval, continuing airworthiness, DAO performance and SMS for Design.
6. Lead Regulatory Affairs for Engineering, ensuring new rulemaking is reviewed, and overseeing Airworthiness involvement in industry and government working groups and committees.
7. Ensure Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance and Safety Promotion activities are being executed in line with the SMS framework.
8. Conduct effective oversight/audit of the ACS, DAO and SMS for design.
9. Develop a strategic roadmap for the increasing maturity of SMS within Engineering.
10. Ensure De Havilland continues to fulfill all responsibilities as a Type Certificate Holder.

Technical Competency

1. Validates technical processes to meet Best Practice.
2. Enforce adherence to De Havilland Engineering System practices and Knowledge Standards to promote product line integrity and consistency.
3. Research technical developments in the industry to remain aware of innovations that may affect and improve current design approval and safety system performance.
4. Share Industry and Regulatory Developments at company level.
5. Provide Regulatory guidance to Programs.
6. Works with the Safety team to execute A/C Level Safety, Reliability and Security processes.
7. Multi-disciplinary alignment for Certification Programs, Triage, Corrective Action Review Board (CARB) and Aircraft on Ground (AOG) issues when necessary.
8. Impacts other Functional Units strategic directions/vision.
9. Proposes new work processes and/or technical innovations.
10. Initiative and judgement recognizing implications of experimental results on other problems.
11. Devises new approaches applying existing criteria in novel ways to improve efficiency.
12. Participates in deep-dive and provides specialized advice for solving broad technical problems, utilizing the Problem-Solving Methodology.
13. Functions as a final technical authority/advisor.
14. Provides technical leadership, coaching, mentoring and training to teams of professionals and technologists.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor or master’s degree in engineering.
2. 15 years or more of relevant experience in a specific aerospace engineering field.
3. Basic understanding of the regulatory framework within which Transport Canada, FAA and EASA operate.
4. Knowledge of the type certification process, the corrective action process, and the procedures of the Design Approval Organization.
5. Knowledgeable of SMS related regulations and international standards.
6. Mastered risk management principles and tools.
7. Possess advanced knowledge in a specific field and a breadth of knowledge of many management systems.
8. May perform as a regulatory authority delegate in the field of expertise.

At De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC), we are committed to protecting our people, customers, shareholders and the public through Health & Safety Excellence. As such, it is expected that all employees maintain strict adherence to Health & Safety Policies and to perform key physical tasks of the position described in the job description and interview process. This may include but is not limited to the ability to work in a variety of environmental conditions including temperature extremes, confined spaces, working at heights and with or around chemicals. Employees are expected to adhere to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when at work which must include but is not limited to the ability to maintain a positive fit test when mask use is required.

At De Havilland Canada, we aim to be inclusive and diverse and provide equal opportunity for employment. All qualified applicants, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, and disability, are encouraged to apply. De Havilland will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise your Talent Acquisition representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Any offer of employment is conditional on the completion of positive and satisfactory background checks, which may include, proof that you are legally entitled to work in Canada, professional references, verification of employment history, verification of educational background and criminal background checks.