Lead Airworthiness Engineer

BAE Systems; Prestwick; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global aerospace and defense company in Prestwick is seeking a Lead Airworthiness Engineer to ensure product safety and integrity across all Air programmes. The role involves sustaining the integrity of Air products, conducting safety reviews, and utilizing expertise in civil aerospace regulations. Candidates must hold a degree in a STEM field and have knowledge of aircraft certification processes. The successful applicant will enjoy competitive compensation and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible discounted health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Must have a degree in a STEM subject or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of civil aerospace regulations, specifically CAA UK Part 21.
• Understanding of aircraft level certification processes.

Responsibilities

• Sustain the integrity of Air products through production challenge.
• Conduct Type Certification and Independent Safety Judgments/Reviews.
• Perform audits and assurance activities.

Skills

Degree in a STEM subject or equivalent relevant experience

Civil Aerospace Regulatory Domain (CAA UK Part 21)

Global aircraft regulatory environments

Understanding of Aircraft Level Certification process

Wider Knowledge of Platform and Aircraft Systems

Safety Engineering / Product Safety Management

Defect Investigations and Root Cause Analysis

Requirements Engineering, Configuration and Data Management

Education

Degree in a STEM field

Job description

Job Description - Lead Airworthiness Engineer (00129942)

Lead Airworthiness Engineer - 00129942

Job title: Lead Airworthiness Engineer

Location: Prestwick - We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: £53,569+ depending on experience

What you’ll be doing:

• Sustaining the integrity of Air products through production challenge and review of design, certification and assurance evidence (including product data requirements) in line with market legislation and regulatory obligations
• Type Certification and Independent Safety Judgments / Reviews for in‑service products providing traceable evidence of assurance activities and independent scrutiny
• Validation and challenge of the initial evidence through professional judgement and constructive feedback, performance of audit and assurance activities, including involvement in design and phase review assessments
• Recovery of the integrity of Air products through investigation, root cause analysis , technical instruction (using technical writing skills) and advising of potential design change
• Delivery of the safety assurance of design recommendations, product deviations and deferments to maintain the continued airworthiness of the operational product

Your skills and experiences:

• Degree in a STEM subject or equivalent relevant experience
• Civil Aerospace Regulatory Domain (CAA UK Part 21, Certification Specifications)
• Global aircraft regulatory environments
• Understanding of Aircraft Level Certification process
• Wider Knowledge of Platform and Aircraft Systems
• Safety Engineering / Product Safety Management and Engineering
• Engineering Lifecycle
• Defect Investigations and Root Cause Analysis
• Requirements Engineering, Configuration and Data Management

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Air Business Team:

The Air Business team at BAE Systems ensures product safety and integrity across all Air programmes, providing expertise and resources to support every stage of delivery. Our work spans the next‑generation 6th fighter, collaborating with DE&S and the MAA to deliver airworthiness in a safe, secure, and environmentally responsible digital environment. We drive capability improvements on current military fighter and trainer platforms, including airborne and ground‑based simulators, leveraging advancements in AI, autonomy , and digital engineering. The team also supports global customers in maintaining product integrity through upgrades, repairs, and obsolescence management. Additionally, we engage with international working groups to shape legislation, regulations, and standards for digital certification, AI, product safety, environmental sustainability, and product security engineering.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role , to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 17th December 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role . Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.