Senior Programme Manager - Certification

Aalto Haps Ltd.; Manor Park; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Short-term incentive

25 days holiday

Private medical insurance

Pension plan

Income protection

Job summary

AALTO, a global leader in Stratospace, is seeking a senior Certification Programme Manager to own and drive the aircraft certification strategy from development through to entry into service. Based in Farnborough, this role interfaces with the UK CAA and other authorities to shape certification planning, evidence, and approval activities across engineering, operations and support teams.

You will lead multiple workstreams, manage risks and dependencies, and ensure robust, auditable certification

Qualifications

• Degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical Engineering or related discipline; advanced degree or equivalent experience is an asset.
• Proven track record leading or senior hands-on role in major aircraft/certification programmes with civil or military aviation authority.

Responsibilities

• Own certification programme plan including strategy, compliance, milestones and baseline.
• Build integrated schedule covering design, analysis, test, manufacturing readiness, certification and entry into service.
• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver compliance evidence across engineering, airworthiness, quality, manufacturing, operations and support.
• Oversee certification artefacts, ensuring they are complete, traceable and ready for authority review.
• Act as main programme interface with UK CAA and other authorities.

Skills

Program management

Regulatory engagement

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace or related

Job description

Responsibilities

• Own the Certification Programme Plan, including strategy, compliance approach, milestones, dependencies and baseline.
• Build an integrated schedule covering design, analysis, test, manufacturing readiness, certification and entry into service.
• Chair governance forums to drive decisions, manage risk, close actions and align stakeholders.
• Manage risks, issues, opportunities and dependencies, ensuring ownership, mitigation and timely escalation.
• Act as the main programme interface with the UK CAA and other relevant aviation authorities.
• Lead certification strategies, plans, reviews and approval activities from development through execution.
• Guide the Certification Basis, Means of Compliance, Special Conditions, Equivalent Safety Findings and authority agreements.
• Oversee certification artefacts, ensuring they are complete, credible, traceable and ready for authority review.
• Lead critical certification discussions, issue resolution and recovery actions where senior judgement is required.
• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver compliance evidence across engineering, airworthiness, quality, manufacturing, operations, cybersecurity and support.
• Drive closure of the Compliance Checklist against applicable airworthiness and certification requirements.
• Maintain traceability across requirements, compliance methods, test evidence, analysis, conformity records and statements.
• Oversee certification ground and flight test activities, including planning, conformity inspections, authority witnessing and evidence closure.
• Ensure compliance packages are robust, auditable, configuration controlled and ready for review.
• Drive readiness to manufacture, operate, maintain and support certified aircraft.
• Manage relationships across internal teams, suppliers, partners, customers and certification authorities.
• Lead resource planning and prioritisation across certification workstreams with functional leaders.
• Report clearly on performance, certification status, risks, decisions and recovery actions to senior leadership.
• Coordinate transition from certification to entry into service across airworthiness, quality, manufacturing, operations and support.
• Support post-certification activities, including continued airworthiness, MMEL and maintenance or training approvals where applicable.
• Improve programme delivery, governance and certification processes.
• Support programme standards, best practice and effective change control.
• Use digital tools and automation to improve efficiency, transparency and reporting.

Degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline; advanced degree, or equivalent professional experience will be considered an asset. Demonstrable extensive experience in aircraft design, certification, airworthiness and in managing aerospace programmes both in Civil or Military environment . Proven track record leading, or playing a senior hands-on role in, a major aircraft, platform or aerospace product certification programme with a recognised civil or military aviation authority. Strong practical knowledge of certification planning, Certification Basis development, Means of Compliance, compliance demonstration, conformity, certification documentation and authority engagement. Working knowledge of applicable airworthiness and certification requirements, Part 21 organisational requirements and type certification processes. Familiarity with systems engineering, safety assessment, software and hardware assurance standards, including ARP4754A, ARP4761, DO-178C and DO-254, or equivalent military standards. Demonstrated ability to lead and influence multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders. Programme management capability, including governance, reporting, change control, schedule, budget and risk management; PMP, APM, PRINCE2 or equivalent desirable. Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, particularly with regulatory bodies. Ability to operate at both strategic and hands-on levels, translating complex technical, regulatory, operational and commercial considerations into clear decisions and executive-level communications. Comfortable operating without established processes and making decisions with incomplete information. Able to create clarity, drive execution, and scale ways of working as the business grows. Fluent in English, both written and verbal.

AALTO, a global leader in Stratospace. Based in Farnborough, AALTO is an Airbus subsidiary that manufactures, operates, and delivers services with its solar-powered, stratospheric platform: Zephyr. Zephyr's persistence enables continuous flight for months at a time. Its current flight-time record of over 67 days in the stratosphere. From above 60,000+ft, or 20km above ground, AALTO can deliver several applications including direct-to-device connectivity and high-resolution Earth observation. AALTO operates in a new operational layer between most of air traffic and low-Earth orbit, Stratospace. This is where high-altitude platforms led by Zephyr deliver services to commercial and government partners. We can help monitor environments, observe borders, track natural disasters and connect unconnected communities. Join us as we create a new domain of aerospace: Stratospace. You'll be part of a highly-skilled, innovative and passionate group of people – Team AALTO. Together, we can Unlock Stratospace.

In addition to an attractive market-aligned salary, we offer:

Benefits

• Rewarding Excellence: Benefit from our short-term incentive plan that rewards your hard work and dedication.
• Enjoy Your Time Off : Benefit from 25 days of holiday to relax and recharge.
• Stay Healthy: We've got your health covered with private medical insurance, along with dental and optical cash back.
• Secure Your Future: Take advantage of our personal pension plan to ensure a comfortable retirement.
• Peace of Mind: Our income protection and life assurance schemes are there to support you when you need it most.
• Getting around: Drive the latest vehicles with our discounted salary sacrifice scheme.
• We Care About You: Our employee assistance programme is always available to provide the support you need.
• Perks Galore : Enjoy a range of employee discounts via Perkbox, from household goods to travel!