Structures Expert

EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency; Köln; Vor Ort; EUR 55.000 - 75.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency is looking for a highly skilled individual to ensure product safety and environmental compatibility in certification processes. In Cologne, the role demands expertise in aviation structures, compliance verification, and the definition of safety standards. The ideal candidate will possess extensive engineering experience and proficiency in at least two EU languages, including English. This position offers a 5-year contract with flexible working conditions.

Qualifikationen

• Thorough knowledge of at least one EU language (C1) and another (B2), one being English.
• Minimum 6 years of professional experience after a 4-year degree, or 7 years after a 3-year degree.
• Experience in fixed wing or rotorcraft structures validation.

Aufgaben

• Provide expert advice for complex certification processes.
• Verify compliance demonstrations in cooperation with certification teams.
• Develop interpretative material for new technologies.

Kenntnisse

Expertise in aircraft structures

Familiarity with EASA regulatory framework

Knowledge of certification processes

Teamwork

Critical thinking

Ausbildung

University diploma in relevant engineering field

Jobbeschreibung

In the respective domain, ensure product safety and environmental compatibility by providing expert knowledge to influence decisions in certification and continued airworthiness, contributing to the safe integration of innovative and more sustainable technologies.

General Accountabilities

• Provide expert advice and contribution to complex certification for the determination of the applicable certification basis, the definition of the level of involvement by selecting compliance demonstration items and the agreement of applicants’ certification programmes.
• Verify the compliance demonstrations provided by applicants for the domain of expertise in cooperation with the certification teams and experts of other technical domains.
• Develop and contribute to the definition of interpretative material and special conditions as well as assess requests for deviations or for equivalent level of safety to address new technologies, unconventional uses, and proposals for novel compliance demonstration.
• Ensure investigation of in‑service occurrences and defects in the domain of expertise and contribute to the agreement of adequate corrective actions to maintain acceptable safety standards as well as to ensure follow‑up of those actions wherever necessary.
• For the domain of expertise provide advice in the development of new airworthiness and environmental protection requirements, industrial standards, including relevant parts of EASA Certification Specifications and advisory‑ as well as guidance material.
• Provide inputs and support to Design Organisation Approval activities as necessary.
• Provide technical inputs to support the other Agency’s activities such as Research projects or Innovation Partnership Contracts.
• Represent the Agency externally in international working‑groups or standardisation bodies when requested to do so.

Specific Accountabilities

• Provide expertise to complex certification projects: determine the applicable certification basis, including special conditions, equivalent safety findings, and deviations.
• Determine the level of involvement by selecting compliance demonstration items.
• Agree on applicants’ certification programmes.
• Verify compliance demonstrations provided by applicants in cooperation with PCMs and experts of other disciplines.
• Follow allocated occurrences and identify potential corrective actions in CAW domain and propose replies to safety recommendations.

Admission Criteria

• Have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the European Union (at least level C1) and a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the EU to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties (at least level B2). One of the required languages shall be English.
• Be a national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
• Completed university studies of at least 4 years attested by a diploma in aeronautical, mechanical, chemical, process, automotive engineering or other relevant subjects. After obtaining the diploma, at least 6 years of relevant professional experience in positions corresponding to the nature of the duties of the job profile.
• Alternatively, completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma in aeronautical, mechanical, chemical, process, automotive engineering or other relevant subjects. After obtaining the diploma, at least 7 years of relevant professional experience in positions corresponding to the nature of the duties of the job profile.
• Proven professional experience of at least one of the areas of fixed wing aircraft or rotorcraft structures: static strength, fatigue & damage tolerance, materials & manufacturing, crashworthiness & impact conditions, loads, aeroelasticity, vibration & buffeting.
• Applied knowledge of EASA technical regulatory framework, including Certification Specifications CS-23, CS-25, CS-27, CS-29 and/or CS-E.
• This vacancy is open as well to Temporary Agents (2f) employed at EASA, in the grade bracket AD5 - AD9.

Advantageous Criteria

• Proven experience in the domain of Continued Airworthiness or Standards Development Organisation.
• Professional experience in project certification acquired either in a National Aviation Authority, Qualified Entity, Armed Forces or in industry.
• Exposure to simulation techniques in the disciplines of static strength, fatigue & damage tolerance, materials & manufacturing, crashworthiness & impact conditions, loads, aeroelasticity, vibration & buffeting.

Selection Criteria

Professional Skills

• Aircraft Structures (Design, development, certification, modeling, or testing of fixed‑wing aircraft or rotorcraft structures).
• Technical and safety standards relevant to fixed wing aircraft or rotorcraft structures.
• Familiarity with certification processes, techniques, methods, and specifications Part 21 - CAW.
• Establishing the acceptable means of compliance for hard and soft rules.

Behavioural Competences

• Quality Orientation.
• Teamwork.
• Critical Thinking.
• Flexibility & Change Adaptability.
• Communication.

Mandatory Pre‑Employment Requirements

• Entitled to the full rights as a citizen.
• Fulfilled any obligations imposed by applicable laws on military service.
• Meet the character requirements for the duties involved (police certificate confirming absence of any criminal record).
• Physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post (medical examination).

Conditions of Employment

• Contract: 5 years contract as Temporary Agent 2 (f) with possibility of extension.
• Working hours: 40 hrs per week on a full‑time working pattern. Flexible working arrangements.
• Salary: Step in grade upon recruitment based on years of work experience. Additional allowances depending on personal situation.
• Location: Cologne, Germany (relocation is required).