Designated Engineering Representative

HCL Technologies Limited; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

HCLTech in Seattle seeks a Designated Engineering Representative to support aircraft certification by providing engineering expertise and regulatory guidance in line with aviation standards. You will evaluate designs, conduct technical reviews, and prepare compliance documentation while coordinating with cross-functional teams across design, stress, systems, and manufacturing.

The role emphasizes leadership in certification activities, mentoring teams, and driving improvements in certification

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or related field.
• 10–15 years of aerospace engineering experience.
• Extensive knowledge of aircraft certification processes and airworthiness regulations.
• Experience with FAA, EASA, or equivalent certification standards.
• Strong understanding of aircraft structures, systems, avionics, or interiors certification.
• Experience in aircraft modification, repair, or certification programs.

Responsibilities

• Review, approve, and certify engineering data for aircraft systems, structures, interiors, avionics, and modifications as authorized.
• Ensure compliance with FAA, EASA, DGCA, and other applicable aviation regulations.
• Interpret and apply regulatory requirements to design, analysis, testing, and certification activities.
• Support Type Certification (TC), Supplemental Type Certification (STC), and major repair/modification programs.
• Collaborate with design, stress, systems, manufacturing, quality, and certification teams.
• Prepare and review certification plans, compliance checklists, and approval documentation.

Skills

Aircraft certification & compliance

Structural analysis & substantiation

Stress, fatigue & damage tolerance

System safety analysis

Aircraft modification approval

Regulatory documentation review

Root cause analysis & problem solving

Technical judgment & decision-making

Leadership & mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering

Related discipline

Job description

We are HCLTech, one of the fastest-growing large tech companies in the world and home to 230,000+ people across 60 countries, supercharging progress through industry-leading capabilities centered around Digital, Engineering and Cloud.

Job Summary

The Designated Engineering Representative (DER) is responsible for supporting aircraft certification activities by providing engineering expertise, regulatory compliance guidance, and technical approvals in accordance with aviation authority requirements. The role involves evaluating aircraft designs, modifications, repairs, and substantiation data to ensure compliance with applicable airworthiness regulations and certification standards.

Key Responsibilities

Certification & Regulatory Compliance

• Review, approve, and certify engineering data for aircraft systems, structures, interiors, avionics, and modifications as authorized.
• Ensure compliance with FAA, EASA, DGCA, and other applicable aviation regulations.
• Interpret and apply regulatory requirements to design, analysis, testing, and certification activities.
• Support Type Certification (TC), Supplemental Type Certification (STC), and major repair/modification programs.

Engineering Analysis & Validation

• Conduct technical reviews of design documents, engineering reports, and test results.
• Evaluate structural analysis, fatigue and damage tolerance assessments, system safety analyses, and compliance reports.
• Review substantiation documents and verify conformity with certification requirements.
• Provide engineering recommendations and resolution of airworthiness issues.

Project Support

• Collaborate with design, stress, systems, manufacturing, quality, and certification teams.
• Support customer and regulatory authority audits, reviews, and investigations.
• Participate in certification planning and compliance demonstration activities.
• Prepare and review certification plans, compliance checklists, and approval documentation.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as a subject matter expert for certification and regulatory requirements.
• Mentor engineering teams on certification processes and best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement in certification methodologies and engineering compliance processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 10-15 years of aerospace engineering experience.
• Extensive knowledge of aircraft certification processes and airworthiness regulations.
• Experience with FAA, EASA, or equivalent certification standards.
• Strong understanding of aircraft structures, systems, avionics, or interiors certification.
• Experience in aircraft modification, repair, or certification programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• FAA DER authorization or equivalent certification authority experience.
• Experience in commercial aircraft, business jets, military aircraft, or rotorcraft programs.
• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Familiarity with Part 21, Part 23, Part 25, Part 27, Part 29, and Part 33/35 regulations, as applicable.

Technical Skills

• Aircraft certification and compliance verification
• Structural analysis and substantiation
• Stress, fatigue, and damage tolerance assessment
• System safety analysis
• Aircraft modification and repair approval
• Regulatory documentation review
• Root cause analysis and problem solving

Soft Skills

• Strong technical judgment and decision-making
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management
• Leadership and mentoring capabilities
• Attention to detail and regulatory compliance focus
• Ability to work in cross-functional and global teams
• Regulatory-compliant engineering approvals
• Certification plans and compliance reports
• Approval of modifications, repairs, and design changes
• Timely support to certification programs
• Resolution of airworthiness and regulatory issues