Airworthiness Engineering Director 1

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman · Aerospace · Melbourne, FL +1 · Systems/Architecture/Test

Northrop Grumman is seeking an Airworthiness Engineering Director to lead airworthiness certification efforts for complex systems within the aerospace and defense industry. This role involves leading engineering teams, developing airworthiness plans, collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with certification objectives throughout the product lifecycle, with a focus on integrating airworthiness into a digital engineering environment.

What you'd actually do

  1. Provide Airworthiness engineering leadership to program Chief Engineer, Program Manager, EI&E program leads and manage the Airworthiness program team.
  2. Performs independent technical airworthiness planning and verification support including development and negotiation of airworthiness plans, bases of certification, methods of compliance, and other certification activities for complex systems with IPT/REs as well as customer counterparts.
  3. Provide technical leadership by ensuring the delivery of Airworthiness commitments related to cost, schedule, and technical quality
  4. Collaborate to develop a digital Airworthiness governance framework integrating Airworthiness into a Digital Engineering Environment to enable NGAS and Customer data/knowledge parity to speed up airworthiness approvals.
  5. Institute rigorous performance metrics, proactive issue tracking, and standardized processes to ensure consistent Airworthiness engineering excellence.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline AND 9 years of related professional/military experience within the Aerospace and Defense industry that includes a background in leadership positions, OR a Master’s of Science degree in a STEM discipline and 7 years of related professional/military experience within the Aerospace and Defense industry that includes a background in leadership positions.
  • 5 or more years of experience directing multi–function engineering teams to achieve common goals, including planning, risk management, and project performance.
  • Experience in establishing and maintaining an Airworthiness Certification Plan, negotiating Airworthiness Basis of Certification using Mil-HDBK-516 as a guide, and coordinating with Responsible Engineers and Customer Subject Matter Experts to attain flight authorizations for the program.
  • Experience in Safety and Flight Critical Functions, relationship to System Processing Architectures and be able to coordinate with stakeholders to ensure acceptable Airworthiness risk related to design specifics and level of rigor for both internally developed elements as well as supplier provided components.
  • Experience in estimating, acquiring and managing budgets, schedules, and complex technical programs.
  • Experience in complex systems development, advanced digital engineering, and data–driven process improvement.
  • Must possess an active U.S. Government in-scope Secret security clearance.
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (PAR/SAP) within a reasonable period, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.

Nice to have

  • Master’s of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline
  • 15 years or more of progressive engineering experience within aerospace, defense, or related industries.
  • Excellent leadership, strategic planning, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Military aircraft development or modification experience
  • Ability to initiate Airwo

What the JD emphasized

  • Secret security clearance
  • Special Program Access (PAR/SAP)
  • Secret security clearance
  • Special Program Access (PAR/SAP)