Lead Airworthiness & Certification Engineer, Defense Systems

Mach Industries Inc.; Huntington Beach, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)

Retirement plans

Equity options

Paid time off

Job summary

Mach Industries in Huntington Beach, CA, seeks a Principal Certification and Airworthiness Engineer to own airworthiness strategy for flight systems and munition payloads. You will liaise with DoD authorities, ensure compliance with MIL-HDBK-516, MIL-STD-882E, and related standards, and lead certification activities from design to testing.

The role requires extensive airworthiness experience, strong communication with executives and external stakeholders, and leadership of governance boards.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of aerospace, defense, or national security flight systems experience, incl. airworthiness certification or system safety.
• Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred).
• Deep knowledge of MIL-HDBK-516 / MIL-STD-516 airworthiness criteria and MIL-STD-882 system safety.
• Experience with DoD airworthiness authorities and Military Flight Release (MFR).
• Experience with munition/hazardous payload certification standards (MIL-STD-2105, MIL-STD-1316).

Responsibilities

• Serve as independent airworthiness authority for flight systems and payload integrations.
• Define certification strategies and compliance plans with MIL standards and DoW requirements.
• Lead airworthiness documentation: certification plans, compliance reports, safety assessments.
• Interface with government airworthiness authorities for MFR and certification approvals.
• Lead system safety activities per MIL-STD-882E and oversee certification for aircraft systems.
• Provide independent approval for safety-critical design changes and configuration releases.
• Maintain continuing airworthiness processes throughout deployed systems' lifecycles.
• Advise leadership on certification strategy, safety risks, and regulatory considerations.

Skills

Airworthiness certification

System safety

DoD liaison

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace/Mechanical/Systems

Master's preferred

Tools

MIL-HDBK-516

MIL-STD-516

MIL-STD-882E

MIL-STD-2105

MIL-STD-1316

Job description

Mach Industries in Huntington Beach, CA, seeks a Principal Certification and Airworthiness Engineer to own airworthiness strategy for flight systems and munition payloads. You will liaise with DoD authorities, ensure compliance with MIL-HDBK-516, MIL-STD-882E, and related standards, and lead certification activities from design to testing.

The role requires extensive airworthiness experience, strong communication with executives and external stakeholders, and leadership of governance boards.