Certification Engineer

Game Aerospace LLC; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off + Holidays

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with 4% match

Tuition and training reimbursement

Life and Disability insurance

Private Pilot's License program

Game Aerospace Flying Club

Job summary

Game Aerospace LLC in Bentonville, AR, is seeking a Certification Engineer to own the certification strategy for new product designs and major changes. You will work with FAA and DERs to obtain approvals, define the certification basis, and manage schedules to gate flight tests and delivery.

You will collaborate daily with design, systems, and production engineers, write test plans and compliance reports, and guide the shop in implementing regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• BS in Aeronautical, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering from ABET-accredited program.
• Airframe & Powerplant certificate or Inspection Authorization preferred.
• Deep knowledge of 14 CFR Parts 21, 23, and 25.
• Experience on TC, STC, or PMA programs.
• Experience authoring test plans and compliance reports for FAA/DER.

Responsibilities

• Plan, build, and own the certification strategy for new product designs and major changes.
• Write, review, and secure approval of test plans, analyses, and system safety documents.
• Collaborate with FAA and DERs to move programs through TIAs and approvals.
• Translate regulatory requirements into design and shop needs.
• Manage certification project schedules and surface risks in writing.
• Lead design, test, and certification meetings.

Skills

Aviation engineering

Regulatory knowledge

Technical writing

FAA/DER interaction

Project scheduling

Education

ABET-accredited degree

Tools

SolidWorks

EPDM

Job description

The Certification Engineer is the person who makes compliance showings for Game Aerospace's aircraft. Reporting to the Certification Manager, they own the aspects of the certification strategy for the GB2 program and for major changes to the certified fleet: defining the certification basis, planning and securing approval of test plans and compliance reports, and carrying the company’s position with the FAA and DERs. They also run project management for certification work, holding the schedule that gates flight test and delivery.

This is a hands-on role at a fast-moving manufacturer. The right person is fluent in 14 CFR Parts 21, 23, and 25, writes technical documents the FAA accepts without significant rework, understands how composite and metal parts are fabricated, and brings energy, humility, and a bias for action to a demanding environment. It is also a growth seat: we expect this person to become a DER or ODA Unit Member and, in time, a mentor to the engineers around them.

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Paid Time Off + Company Paid Holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with 4% match
• Tuition and training reimbursement, including support toward DER or ODA Unit Member qualification
• Employer Paid Life and Disability insurance
• Fully sponsored Private Pilot's License program
• Membership in the Game Aerospace Flying Club

What You Will Do

• Plan, build, and own the certification strategy for your assigned new product designs and major changes, including defining the certification basis and the means of compliance.
• Write, review, and secure approval of test plans, analysis reports, compliance reports, and system safety documents (FHA, SSA), and keep certification documentation organized and traceable.
• Work directly with the FAA and our DERs to move programs through Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) and approval, and resolve findings without losing the relationship.
• Collaborate daily with design, systems, and production engineers on certification questions, and translate regulatory requirements into what the design and the shop need to change.
• Manage certification project schedules: plan milestones, track progress, surface risk early and in writing, and report status to the Certification Manager and program leadership.
• Support conformity of what is built to what is certified, including work instructions and drawings.
• Lead and facilitate design, test, and certification meetings.
• Grow into a DER or ODA Unit Member and, over time, help develop the engineers around you.

Qualifications

• 5 to 15 years of aviation engineering experience, with direct experience in aircraft certification required.
• Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program, preferred.
• Airframe & Powerplant certificate or Inspection Authorization, preferred.
• Deep, working knowledge of 14 CFR Parts 21, 23, and 25, including the ability to define and defend a certification basis.
• Proven work experience on TC, STC, or PMA programs.
• A track record of personally authoring test plans, analysis reports, and compliance reports and securing their approval by the FAA or a DER.
• Experience carrying a certification project from planning through TIA and approval, with responsibility for the schedule along the way.
• Direct experience working with the FAA or inside an ODA.
• Clear, efficient technical writing that gets approved with minimal rework.
• Familiarity with composite and metal fabrication and tooling, enough to work credibly with the shop floor.

What We Prefer

• ODA Unit Member authority, current or prior.
• Experience authoring system safety documents: functional hazard assessments and system safety assessments.
• Experience writing or releasing work instructions and drawings, and time spent in or alongside a manufacturing environment.
• Experience defining or negotiating a certification basis, including special conditions, exemptions, or equivalent level of safety findings.
• SolidWorks and EPDM (or a comparable PDM system).

Who Thrives Here

• You are energetic with a bias for action. You would rather move a stalled effort forward than wait to be asked.
• You are results oriented and you keep things simple.
• You bring positivity and humility, and no ego. You hold the compliance line with design and production without becoming the department of no, and you give credit freely.
• You work well in a fast-paced, demanding environment; you exhibit resilience when working through ambiguity, rework, and positions you disagree with.

Game Aerospace is not able to sponsor visas or hire applicants who require immigration sponsorship (e.g., H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1, etc.) at this time.

Game Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status of protected veteran, among other things or status as a qualified individual with a disability.