Principal Airworthiness Engineer – Systems Lead (Onsite)

PDS Tech, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life insurance

Short-term disability

EAP program

Commuter benefits

401K plan

Job summary

PDS Tech Commercial in San Diego, CA is seeking a Principal Airworthiness Engineer to lead airworthiness planning, certification strategies, and compliance across advanced aircraft programs. You will collaborate with IPTs, customers, and authorities to ensure safe, certified air vehicle systems.

The role requires strong systems engineering skills, experience with UAS/RPAS, and eligibility for a security clearance. Onsite, full-time contract (12 months) with competitive hourly pay.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in a STEM field with 5+ years related experience, or Master with 3+ years, or PhD with 1+ year.
• Working knowledge of MIL-HDBK-516D.
• Experience leading airworthiness plans, bases of certification and compliance activities.
• Experience with UAS/RPAS airworthiness authorizations and type certifications.
• Strong systems engineering and documentation skills.
• Eligibility to obtain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead airworthiness planning and verification across complex aerospace programs.
• Develop and negotiate Airworthiness Plans, Bases of Certification, and Means of Compliance.
• Support certification efforts for air vehicle platforms including UAS/RPAS.
• Collaborate with IPTs, customers, and authorities.
• Review engineering activities from design to disposal and translate objectives into compliant solutions.
• Support lifecycle certification activities: Flight Releases, Type Certifications, Continued Airworthiness, Airspace Integration.

Skills

Airworthiness

Systems engineering

Certification

UAS/RPAS

Security clearance

MS Excel

Education

B.S. in STEM

M.S. in STEM

PhD (relevant)

Tools

MIL-HDBK-516D

MS Office/SharePoint

Job description

PDS Tech Commercial in San Diego, CA is seeking a Principal Airworthiness Engineer to lead airworthiness planning, certification strategies, and compliance across advanced aircraft programs. You will collaborate with IPTs, customers, and authorities to ensure safe, certified air vehicle systems.

The role requires strong systems engineering skills, experience with UAS/RPAS, and eligibility for a security clearance. Onsite, full-time contract (12 months) with competitive hourly pay.