Principal Test & Certification Engineer

Recaro; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

RECARO Aircraft Seating in Fort Worth seeks a Principal Test & Certification Engineer to lead certification testing, guide engineering teams, and manage complex projects in interior aircraft products.

You will ensure compliance with FAA/EASA procedures, drive risk mitigation, and collaborate with OEMs and global engineering groups to optimize testing and cost efficiency. The role requires deep regulatory knowledge and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Must have 10+ years in an engineering role in aerospace.
• 5+ years in engineering or project management for interiors.
• Deep knowledge of FAA/EASA Part 21, Part 25, and TSO/E-TSO.
• Advanced knowledge of dynamic and static testing, mechanical design, drafting and tolerance.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes in the aircraft seat industry.
• Experience with concurrent engineering and design to cost principles.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineering teams during design, development and testing.
• Resolve intricate engineering challenges and lead cross-functional teams on design and certification.
• Advise on TSO/E-TSO and regulatory requirements for certification.
• Coordinate with global engineering management to align and optimize testing processes.
• Contribute to risk analysis and mitigation plans for technical risks.
• Stay current with industry standards through seminars and training.
• Create technical proposals by linking product, regulatory, market, and cost considerations.
• Develop strategies to reduce costs and expand testing/qualification plans.
• Lead discussions with OEMs to resolve testing and engineering issues.
• Support management in decision-making with papers and presentations.
• Assist safety assessments and coordinate corrective actions with other departments.
• Maintain knowledge of RECARO seating requirements and regulatory authorities.
• Maintain relationships with universities and research institutes; prepare technical publications.
• Manage interface for improvement between Engineering and Operations to enhance producibility.

Skills

Testing principles

Project management

Risk assessment

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

MS Project

SAP

PLM

Microsoft Office

Job description

As an international brand company with German roots, we at RECARO pursue the vision of improving the performance of people in motion like no other. In keeping with our tradition, Safety, Quality, and Ingenious Design are at the core of all that we do. This allows us to exceed the expectations of our customers every day and make performance something you can feel: Feel Performance.

In addition to RECARO Holding and RECARO Child Safety, our corporate group also includes RECARO Aircraft Seating headquartered in Schwäbisch Hall. We develop, produce, and market innovative seats for economy and business class, which meet the highest standards when it comes to comfort, lightweight construction, and design. As an internationally renowned brand, we are one of the world’s three largest suppliers of aircraft seats with our premium products. To enhance our team, we are looking to fill the following position at our site in Fort Worth at the earliest possible date:

Principal Test & Certification Engineer

Overview

The Principal Certification Engineer must have the industry experience/knowledge required to provide Certification testing expertise, support critical Engineering projects & tasks as needed, manage complicated projects like cost and weight saving projects initiated by the need of local sourcing. Ensures projects adhere to standards/technical aspects of the assigned product line aircraft seats, including their mechanical design, regulatory compliance, OEM and customer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide Technical guidance and Mentorship to Engineering teams during design, development and testing/certification.
• Resolve intricate engineering challenges, lead cross-functional teams and propose solutions pertaining to design, manufacturing, and certification.
• Advise design, certification engineers and program managers on TSO/E-TSO and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate with Global Engineering management teams to ensure Testing related processes are aligned and optimized as required, and ensure Best Practices are developed and implemented.
• Provide input to the program risk analysis and risk management process to address technical risks. Devise risk mitigation actions. Ensure risk mitigation activities are conducted in accordance with the department procedures and risk mitigation plans.
• Keep up to date with current industry standards (Seat committee meetings, Authority Seminars, OEM Seminars, Trainings).
• Creates technical proposals for customers by integrating knowledge of product, regulatory requirements, market, price point, organizational capabilities, and business strategy.
• Execute strategies to reduce cost and increase testing and qualification plan for customer programs.
• Lead critical discussions and communication with OEMs to resolve testing and engineering related issues.
• Support for management in technical decision-making processes, including preparation of decision papers and presentation of complex technical content to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support safety assessment and work with other departments for preparing corrective and preventive actions.
• Maintain an in-depth understanding and current knowledge of the technical requirements driving the development of the RECARO Aircraft Seating products, including requirements from the OEMs and other regulatory authorities.
• Maintain beneficial relationships with universities, research institutes, and other external partners, and prepare and deliver technical publications and presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Manage the interface for improvement and efficiency projects between the Engineering department and the RECARO operational departments (i.e. Procurement, Production, Quality…etc.) to ensure concurrent engineering principles are understood and applied to achieve optimum producibility and manufacturability of RECARO products.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor degree (BS) in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent experience is required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Must have a minimum of 10 years’ experience in an Engineering position in the aerospace industry, including 5 years’ experience in an Engineering or Project Management in the field of commercial aircraft interior products.
• The position requires an in depth understanding of FAA / EASA Part 21, Part 25 Certification procedures for commercial aircraft seats, including the TSO/E-TSO process.
• Advanced knowledge of dynamic and static testing principles, mechanical design, drafting and tolerance, Electrical Engineering, rapid prototyping is required.
• Must have basic knowledge of manufacturing processes used in the aircraft seat industry, including machining, forging, casting, plastic vacuum forming and injection molding, sheet metal fabrication and forming, and assembly.
• Must be well versed in concurrent engineering principles, as well as design for manufacturability, maintenance and design to cost principles.
• Proven track record of meeting commitments.
• Strong problem solving skills with the ability to exercise mature judgment is required, as well as the ability to anticipate technical issues and develop effective risk mitigation plans.
• Ability to multi-task and operate in a fast-paced, high pressure environment. Excellent organization skills are essential.
• Must have excellent internal and external communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to take initiative and work with minimum supervision
• Must have good knowledge in MS Project, SAP, PLM and Microsoft Office applications.

You will be a perfect fit for our team if you are enthusiastic about innovative products, enjoy setting ambitious goals, love taking on responsibility, are motivated by an environment of appreciative, trusting collaboration, and have a strong creative drive. In return, we promise to give you the freedom to develop your potential with individual development opportunities and will provide you with the necessary competencies to increase your personal responsibility so that you can face the future together with RECARO.

Your personal information will be kept confidential. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business needs.