Certification Engineer

DAHER; Sandpoint (ID); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Life insurance

Short- and Long-Term Disability

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

DAHER’s Idaho site in Sandpoint is seeking a Certification Engineer to lead certification activities for Kodiak design changes, coordinating with the FAA and ensuring compliance with 14 CFR Part 23 and Part 21. The role includes preparing certification plans, managing change substantiation, and supporting COS activities such as service bulletins and regulatory reporting.

You will work with DERs and international authorities to navigate evolving regulations and maintain airworthiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or related engineering.
• 10+ years aerospace experience with at least 3 years in certification activities.
• Strong knowledge of 14 CFR Part 23 (Amendment 23-63 preferred).
• Working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 21, Subpart D, FAA Order 8110.4, and MCA processes.
• Experience with foreign validation processes and international certification authorities.
• Ability to manage certification plans, compliance checklists, compliance documentation, and conformity activities for certification programs.
• Familiarity with system safety processes, including FHA, SSA, and FMEA as used in general aviation.

Responsibilities

• Lead certification activities for design changes and major certification programs, including development and maintenance of compliance checklists (CCLs), compliance documentation, and test plans
• Coordinate with DERs, the FAA, and international aviation authorities to support certification, validation, and approval activities
• Review and classify all type design changes as major or minor in accordance with the approved Minor Change Agreement (MCA)
• Provide technical and regulatory guidance to cross-functional teams and ensure applicable regulations are adequately addressed in change substantiation
• Monitor evolving regulatory policies and develop strategies to support certification and product development objectives
• Support fleet continued operational safety (COS) activities

Skills

Aerospace engineering expertise

Regulatory knowledge

Project coordination

Communication with authorities

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or related engineering

Job description

Daher's Idaho site, located in Sandpoint Idaho, a small outdoor community located between Lake Pend Oreille and Schweitzer Mountain, is home to Kodiak, a rugged mission ready 10-seat short takeoff and landing turboprop. The facility supports design, manufacturing, development, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities for the Kodiak 100 and Kodiak 900, serving customers worldwide. The team of approximately 300 employees builds airplanes starting largely from raw materials, all the way through painting, to final assembly, defining built by hand in Sandpoint Idaho. Beyond final assembly is comprehensive customer service, aircraft maintenance, technical support, and quality oversight, while continuing to engineer the next generation of Kodiak capability.

Daher is seeking a Certification Engineer. This is a high impact role, acting as primary certification coordinator for all Kodiak type design changes and serving as the focal for Kodiak’s relationship with the FAA. This role provides technical and regulatory guidance on type design changes, manages major and minor change classifications, and ensures compliance with 14 CFR Part 23 and Part 21 requirements. The position involves close coordination with the FAA West Certification Branch (WCB), support for foreign validations, and strategic navigation of evolving regulatory policies. Additional responsibilities include preparing certification plans and compliance documentation, maintaining conformity oversight, and supporting continued operational safety activities such as Service Bulletin and Airworthiness Directive management, 21.3 reporting, and root cause analysis to uphold airworthiness and fleet safety standards.

Responsibilities:

• Lead certification activities for design changes and major certification programs, including development and maintenance of compliance checklists (CCLs), compliance documentation, and test plans
• Coordinate with DERs, the FAA, and international aviation authorities to support certification, validation, and approval activities
• Review and classify all type design changes as major or minor in accordance with the approved Minor Change Agreement (MCA)·
• Provide technical and regulatory guidance to cross-functional teams and ensure applicable regulations are adequately addressed in change substantiation
• Monitor evolving regulatory policies and develop strategies to support certification and product development objectives
• Support fleet continued operational safety (COS) activities

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or related engineering discipline
• Minimum 10 years of aerospace experience, including at least 3 years of direct involvement in certification activities such as certification plans, FAA coordination, DER collaboration
• Strong knowledge of 14 CFR Part 23 (Amendment 23-63 preferred)
• Working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 21, Subpart D, FAA Order 8110.4, and Minor Change Agreement (MCA) processes
• Experience with or familiarity with foreign validation processes and international certification authorities
• Ability to manage certification plans, compliance checklists, compliance documentation, and conformity activities for certification programs
• Familiarity with system safety processes, including FHA, SSA, and FMEA as used in general aviation

Desired Qualifications:

• Broad understanding of aircraft systems architecture, aerodynamics, aircraft performance, stability and control, and flight system
• Familiarity with DO-160 environmental qualification requirements and testing
• Experience supporting Continued Operational Safety (COS) activities, including service bulletins, airworthiness directives, regulatory reporting, and corrective actions
• Familiarity with Safety Management Systems (SMS), reliability programs, continued airworthiness data analysis, and risk assessment methodologies
• Understanding of Part 21, Part 39, configuration management, and technical publication processes related to fielded aircraft

Why Kodiak?

You and your work will show up directly on the aircraft. With multiple dedicated flight test aircraft available to support development and test activities, Kodiak engineers can see their ideas progress from concept to flying in a matter of hours. At Kodiak Engineering, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of a uniquely capable high-performance aircraft.

Information related to the position: (Required for all positions)

• The compensation range is $135,000 to $165,000 in base salary plus an annual target bonus.
• The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Daher considers a number of factors when determining salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, skills, and current market conditions.
• At Daher, your total rewards package is more than just your base salary as we offer a full benefit package including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Life insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays and more.