Director, Civil Certification

Supernal; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 259,000 - 317,000; Full time

Job summary

Supernal is seeking a seasoned Civil Certification leader to manage the Type Certification process with FAA and other authorities. You will plan, coordinate, and execute certification activities across the project lifecycle, interfacing with leadership, engineering, quality, and policy teams.

The role requires 15+ years in aircraft certification, strong communication, and the ability to drive an end-to-end certification program from concept to post-certification.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in aircraft certification, airworthiness, or regulatory compliance.
• Led at least one end-to-end TC/ATC/STC certification program.
• Experience with 14 CFR Part 23/25/27/29 certification programs.
• Familiarity with FAA Orders (8110 series) and ARP4754/ARP4761.
• Experience with clean-sheet design FAA Type Certification projects.
• Strong communication, planning, and execution skills.
• Understanding of regulatory frameworks for US and foreign authorities.
• Detail-oriented with strong planning and execution skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and strategy for Certification and define program objectives.
• Coordinate with Regulatory Authorities as primary contact through lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with FAA regulations, directives, and guidance.
• Identify resources and staffing to build the Civil Certification team.
• Manage performance of Civil Certification Projects.
• Generate and maintain PSCP, TC Applications, checklists, and related artifacts.
• Translate FAA regulations into clear, verifiable design requirements.
• Develop conformity processes and data-retention infrastructure.
• Identify and manage issues, risks, and special conditions with regulators.
• Coordinate DER resources to support certification needs.
• Oversee certification team to meet company goals.
• Review certification plans with stakeholders and regulators.
• Participate in design and safety reviews and readiness reviews.
• Develop training materials to increase understanding of civil certification.
• Drive participation in standards groups and industry bodies.
• Travel up to 10% domestically and internationally.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Listening

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Leadership

Time management

Self-motivation

Stakeholder management

PLM familiarity

Education

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

Enovia

3DX

Job description

Rise above. Are you ready to take human possibility to a new dimension with us?

Supernal is an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company that’s developing an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle and the ground-to-air ecosystem to support the emerging industry. By creating a sustainable, integrated, and human-centered ecosystem, we are committed to taking a thoughtful and responsible approach to entering the AAM market with a product that meets the high level of safety and reliability in today’s air transportation system.

The future of mobility starts with people. We believe in creative thinking and collaboration to help build a better mobility experience for everyone, improving people’s ability to move – whether for work or play. Join our dynamic team as we strive to be a part of something greater where potential powers tomorrow!

Supernal provides an inviting open-space workplace designed to foster collaboration, which aligns with one of our core values. This position is required to work on-site 5 days a week.

What we do:

This role will serve as the leader of the Civil Certification team with the responsibility tomanage andfacilitatethe Type Certification process between Supernal and the Regulatory Authorities throughout the project lifecycle. In addition to being a primary technical liaison with the FAA,you will coordinate the planning, strategy, and execution of all activities, deliverables, and artifacts related to Certification, including the Production Certification andforeign validation efforts with other international aviation authorities.Therolewillinteractdirectly with Company leadership, the entire Engineering organization,theTest & Evaluation group, ProgramManagement, the Quality team, and the Policy team to achieve program Certificationobjectives.The ideal candidate should have a proventrack recordofaircraftcertification experience, with palpable enthusiasm forestablishingan organizational culture around compliance and safety, and a passion for bringing new, innovativeaircraftto market.

This role requirespresencein office 5 days a week.

What you can do:

• Lead the planning and strategy for Certification by defining Certification programobjectivesand priorities, anddisseminatingthat information toappropriate stakeholders
• Coordinate with Regulatory Authorities by serving as the primary point of contact throughout the project lifecycle, including but not limitedto:pre-applicationdiscussions, administration of the Partnership for Safety Plan and MOA, technical discussions around certification issues, TCBMs, as well asfacilitatingtechnical responses to address Issues papers
• EnsuretheSupernal organizationand its productsare compliant with FAA regulations, directives, policies, and guidance
• Identifyresourcesand staffing needs to build therequiredteamneededtoaccomplishCivil Certification department goals
• Manage the performance of Civil Certification Projects
• Manage the generation and maintenance of various Certification artifacts such as the PSCP,theTC Application, Compliance checklists, SLCPs, Certification test plans, special conditions, conformity plan, compliance showing data, and others
• Interpret FAA regulations and work closely with engineering to ensure they are translated into clear, verifiable requirements that are implemented into the design
• Developconformityprocessesandestablishinfrastructuretoensure compliancewith data retention requirements
• Identifyand manage Certification issues, risks, and special conditions, including the establishment of a system for reporting issues to theappropriate regulatoryentities
• Coordinate and deploy DER resources to support the certification project needs
• Manage the Civil Certification team to address company and program needsandobjectives
• Review and incorporate feedback for certification plans to gain concurrence between internal stakeholders and Regulatory authorities
• Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR), safety reviews, and Certification readiness reviews asrequired
• Develop and deploy training materials across the Supernal organization to increaseknowledge of the civil certification process anditskey concepts
• Drive company participation in relevant standards development groups and key industry organizations
• Ability to travel up to 10% domestically and internationally

What you can contribute:

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 15+ years of experience inaircraftcertification, airworthiness, or regulatory compliance. The candidate will have ideally workeda minimumofone entireend-to-endCertification program (TC/ATC/STC) fromconceptual designthroughpost-certification activities(Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered, especially with a demonstrated history of workingwiththe FAA)
• Practical experience with 14 CFR Part 23, Part 25, Part 27, or Part 29 Certification programs
• Experience with implementation of certification guidanceand industry standardssuch as FAA Orders (8110 series),relevantAdvisory Circulars, ARP4754 & ARP4761,etc.
• Experience with clean sheet design FAA Type Certification projects
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent listening and comprehension skills
• Ability to effectively prioritize and proactively deliver communications and follow up
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent customer service skills
• Must have the ability to independently prioritize andaccomplishwork within time constraints
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Self-motivated and growth-minded personality
• Familiarity with product lifecycle management tools (i.e.Enovia, 3DX)
• Proficiencywith MS Office Suite
• Must have the ability to independently prioritize andaccomplishwork within time constraints
• Understand the regulatory framework, procedures and responsibilities governing the certification of aeronautical products in the United States andother Foreign Countries
• Detail oriented with strong planning and execution skills

You may also be able to contribute:

• Experience working on eVTOLaircraft considered a plus
• DER designation from the FAA considered a plus

Base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge and location. This position is also eligible for a bonus as part of total compensation.

The pay range for this position is:

$259,200—$316,800 USD

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background check. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other category or class protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation at: [e-mail]

This position may include access to certain technology and/or software source code subject to U.S. export controls laws and regulations. If an export authorization from an applicable US regulatory agency is required in connection with your employment, your employment is contingent upon Supernal’s receipt of such regulatory authorization(s) and your continued compliance with all conditions and limitations pursuant to such authorization(s).