We are seeking an experienced Senior Airworthiness & Certification Engineer to lead and deliver civil and military aircraft certification activities across complex programmes. The role requires the ability to work with limited supervision, develop robust certification strategies and detailed compliance arguments, and coordinate evidence across multidisciplinary teams. The successful candidate will engage confidently with clients, Design Organisations, Airworthiness Authorities and regulators, while coaching less experienced consultants and assuring the quality of technical outputs.

Key responsibilities

• Lead defined Type Certification, Military Type Certification and airworthiness work packages in accordance with applicable civil and military regulatory frameworks, standards and organisational procedures.
• Develop and maintain certification strategies, certification bases, plans, compliance matrices, means of compliance, evidence schedules, and regulatory engagement plans.
• Produce and defend detailed technical and regulatory arguments, including certification reports, position papers, concessions, deviations, exemptions and alternative means of compliance where appropriate.
• Lead certification assessment of aircraft design changes, covering change classification, impact and safety assessment, requirements allocation, compliance planning, evidence acceptance, embodiment and configuration status accounting.
• Apply and review safe systems of work, hazard identification, risk assessment, systems engineering and safety analysis techniques appropriate to the aircraft, system and change.
• Coordinate and assure certification evidence produced by engineering disciplines, suppliers and partner organisations, ensuring traceability from applicable requirements to accepted evidence.
• Act as a principal day-to-day interface with clients, Design Organisations, Independent Technical Evaluators, Airworthiness Authorities and regulators for assigned activities.
• Identify and manage certification risks, assumptions, dependencies, non-compliances and evidence gaps, escalating matters that affect safety, acceptance or programme delivery.
• Lead technical reviews, peer reviews, audits and assurance activities, and confirm that deliverables meet agreed quality and regulatory expectations.
• Support bids, scoping and estimating by defining technical approach, deliverables, resource needs, assumptions and risks.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of SQEP methods, tools, templates, and technical capability.

Leadership, influence and client engagement

• Lead multidisciplinary contributors to achieve coherent certification outcomes across organisational boundaries.
• Influence technical decisions through credible evidence, balanced judgement, and clear communication.
• Challenge constructively when proposed solutions, evidence or working practices do not adequately address safety or compliance obligations.
• Mentor consultants and engineers, delegate work appropriately and provide constructive technical feedback.
• Coach less experienced staff and support competency development through review, feedback and knowledge sharing.
• Build trusted client and regulatory relationships while maintaining professional independence and objective assurance.
  

Essential

Degree or equivalent relevant experience in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, avionics, software, systems or another related engineering discipline.

Desirable

Chartered Engineer status or active progression towards professional registration through RAeS, IET, IMechE or equivalent.

• Strong practical knowledge of aircraft certification, design assurance and continued airworthiness principles in civil, military or dual-framework environments.
• Ability to interpret and apply MAA, CAA, EASA, FAA or equivalent regulatory requirements and relevant airworthiness standards.
• Detailed understanding of the design change lifecycle, including design definition, classification, certification planning, verification, validation, configuration control, embodiment and acceptance.
• Working knowledge of systems engineering and safety assessment techniques, including FHA, PSSA, SSA, FMEA, FTA, common cause analysis and risk assessment, as applicable.
• Ability to make proportionate engineering judgements where evidence is incomplete, clearly recording assumptions, limitations, residual risks and required actions.
• Ability to translate complex technical and regulatory issues into clear recommendations for clients and decision-makers.
  

• Significant experience delivering airworthiness, certification, design assurance or safety activities within aerospace, defence or another high-integrity sector.
• Demonstrable experience leading certification or design change work packages and coordinating multidisciplinary evidence.
• Experience engaging clients, airworthiness authorities, regulators, certification bodies or Design Organisations.
• Proven ability to author and review high-quality certification plans, compliance arguments and assurance reports.
• Strong planning, stakeholder management, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.

Desirable 

• Experience with Type Certification or Military Type Certification, including management of deviations, non-compliances or alternative means of compliance.
  
• Knowledge of CAA, MAA, EASA Certification Specifications, FAA Federal Aviation Regulations, Defence Standard 00970, MIL-HDBK-516 or equivalent standards.
• Experience in consultancy, technical task management, estimating, bid support, or supplier assurance.
  
• Experience of digital certification, requirements, configuration, or safety management tools.

Diversity & Inclusion

SQEP Ltd lives its company values. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. As a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, we will interview and consider UK military veterans, reservists and their families. Flexible support is available for mobilisation, training or deployment, injury and bereavement, together with additional leave where applicable.

Security Requirements

Some projects delivered under this role involve access to information protected by specific UK Government security caveats, including UK Eyes Only or 5EYES material. Access to such information is determined solely by the relevant security authorities and contractual obligations. As a result, eligibility for certain tasks may be restricted to individuals who meet the security vetting requirements applicable to those projects.

Where these restrictions apply, the organisation must follow the formal guidance issued by the UK security authorities, which may limit access for individuals who do not meet the required nationality or clearance conditions. This does not reflect on a candidate’s skills or suitability for employment more broadly; it is a mandatory compliance requirement connected to specific customer contracts. All candidates are encouraged to apply, and suitability for particular projects will be assessed in line with the official security framework.

Eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC as a minimum; DV may be required depending on programme).

The role also requires the maintenance of valid identification documentation necessary to support security vetting, client engagement and business travel requirements.