Engineer Systems 3

TEKsystems; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 165,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Life Insurance

Job summary

TEKsystems is seeking a Principal Airworthiness Engineer to oversee certification and compliance for advanced air vehicle systems in a contract role based in San Diego, CA. You will drive airworthiness plans, strategies, and means of compliance across development, testing, and operation.

The ideal candidate has MIL-HDBK-516D knowledge, UAS/RPAS experience, and DoD clearance eligibility, with collaboration across multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another STEM-related discipline with 5+ years of relevant experience; or Master's with 3+ years; or PhD with 1+ year.
• Knowledge of MIL-HDBK-516D airworthiness requirements.
• Experience developing airworthiness plans, certification strategies, and related compliance activities.
• Experience supporting UAS/RPAS airworthiness authorizations and type certification efforts.
• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead airworthiness planning and verification activities for complex aerospace systems.
• Develop and support airworthiness plans, certification strategies, bases of certification, and means of compliance.
• Coordinate with engineering teams to ensure compliance across system design, fabrication, testing, installation, operation, maintenance, and disposal activities.
• Translate customer and regulatory requirements into engineering criteria, derived requirements, and certification objectives.
• Support flight releases, type certification efforts, airspace integration activities, and continued airworthiness programs.
• Manage and maintain type design data and certification evidence required for military and civil airworthiness approval.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external authorities to achieve certification milestones.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to certification processes and compliance activities.

Skills

Airworthiness planning

Certification strategies

Regulatory compliance

UAS/RPAS experience

DoD clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Aerospace/STEM

Master's degree in Engineering (preferred)

PhD (additional experience preference)

Tools

CAM/EVMS/IMS

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint/SharePoint

Job description

We are seeking a Principal Airworthiness Engineer to support certification and compliance activities for advanced air vehicle systems. This role is responsible for helping ensure aircraft and unmanned systems meet airworthiness requirements throughout the product lifecycle, from development and testing through certification, operational approval, and continued airworthiness.

The ideal candidate will bring expertise in aviation certification, systems engineering, and regulatory compliance, along with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead airworthiness planning and verification activities for complex aerospace systems.
• Develop and support airworthiness plans, certification strategies, bases of certification, and means of compliance.
• Coordinate with engineering teams to ensure compliance across system design, fabrication, testing, installation, operation, maintenance, and disposal activities.
• Translate customer and regulatory requirements into engineering criteria, derived requirements, and certification objectives.
• Support flight releases, type certification efforts, airspace integration activities, and continued airworthiness programs.
• Manage and maintain type design data and certification evidence required for military and civil airworthiness approval.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external authorities to achieve certification milestones.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to certification processes and compliance activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another STEM-related discipline and 5+ years of relevant experience; OR Master's degree with 3+ years of relevant experience; OR PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of MIL-HDBK-516D airworthiness requirements.
• Experience developing airworthiness plans, certification strategies, and related compliance activities.
• Experience supporting UAS/RPAS airworthiness authorizations and type certification efforts.
• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting military aircraft development or modification programs.
• Knowledge of military and/or civil aviation certification processes.
• Familiarity with UAS/RPAS platforms and operations.
• Experience in one or more of the following disciplines:
• Structures
• Flight Technologies
• Air Vehicle Subsystems
• Avionics
• Mission Payload Integration
• System Safety
• Flight Test
• Configuration Management
• Familiarity with Airworthiness Policy Directives, Instructions, and Airworthiness Bulletins.
• Experience with Control Account Management (CAM), Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), Integrated Master Scheduling (IMS), and forecasting activities.
• Experience working directly with military or civil airworthiness authorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and SharePoint.
• Active DoD Secret Clearance or higher is a plus.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of San Diego, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100.00 - $120.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of San Diego, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 5, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.

About TEKsystems

We're partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services, and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That's the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

About TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services

Were a leading provider of business and technology services. We accelerate business transformation for our customers. Our expertise in strategy, design, execution and operations unlocks business value through a range of solutions. Were a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 customers, including 80% of the Fortune 500 across North America, Europe and Asia, who partner with us for our scale, full-stack capabilities and speed. Were strategic thinkers, hands-on collaborators, helping customers capitalize on change and master the momentum of technology. Were building tomorrow by delivering business outcomes and making positive impacts in our global communities. TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services are Allegis Group companies. Learn more at TEKsystems.com.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.