Principle Certification Engineer

Principal Certification Engineer

Irvine CA and or Orlando FL (Hybrid)

Position Summary

Thales is looking for a Principal Certification Engineer whose role is to lead and govern the FAA certification strategy and execution for complex high-impact programs within the In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) and aircraft communications domains. This role is responsible for ensuring structural compliance certification integrity and regulatory alignment across the full product lifecycle including Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) and airframe manufacturer Type Certificate projects.

In this position you will provide project-level technical leadership regulatory interpretation and certification strategy across multiple programs helping ensure compliance with FAA requirements while supporting design decisions certification planning and program risk management. You will serve as a key interface with FAA ODA airframe manufacturers and internal stakeholders to define certification frameworks establish best practices and maintain consistent compliance standards across programs. Partnering closely with engineering program management certification and cross-functional teams you will help drive efficient certification execution support evolving regulatory requirements mentor engineers and strengthen the organizations overall technical certification capability.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Define and lead certification strategy for structural compliance across multiple complex programs ensuring alignment with FAA regulations ODA requirements STC requirements and airframe manufacturer standards.
• Serve as the technical authority and primary point of contact for structural certification matters with FAA representatives ODA Unit Members airframe manufacturers external partners contractors and internal cross-functional stakeholders.
• Provide technical governance and oversight of structural substantiation type design data installation drawings materials processes airworthiness limitations and analysis activities including statics dynamics damage tolerance loads materials FEA and CFD.
• Influence product design and engineering decisions by integrating certification requirements early in the development lifecycle mitigating program risk optimizing certification outcomes and supporting resolution of complex certification challenges including corrective action plans AMOCs and regulatory engagement.
• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary certification and test efforts including certification planning structural test strategies test plans execution oversight deviation resolution compliance validation requirements flow-down and delivery performance aligned to program objectives.
• Establish and maintain certification processes standards and best practices while supporting audits regulatory reviews continued airworthiness activities in-service issue resolution repair scheme approvals ICA development and mentoring engineering talent to elevate organizational capability.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering required advanced degree preferred.
• 10 years of progressive experience in aircraft structures engineering and FAA certification including demonstrated experience leading certification strategy and execution for complex STC or Type Certificate programs.
• Deep expertise in structural substantiation methods including statics dynamics damage tolerance loads materials finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
• Extensive knowledge of FAA regulatory frameworks including Title 14 CFR Parts 21 25 and 26 as well as ODA processes and certification compliance expectations.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders senior leadership regulatory authorities airframe manufacturers and external partners on complex technical and certification matters.
• Strong analytical problem-solving decision-making written communication and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex regulatory and technical requirements into actionable engineering direction.

Special Position Requirements

• Experience acting as a primary certification focal technical lead or key interface with FAA ODA airframe manufacturers or regulatory authorities.
• Advanced knowledge of RTCA DO-160 and related environmental qualification standards.
• Experience supporting multiple concurrent certification programs complex STC programs Type Certificate programs or enterprise-level certification initiatives.
• Familiarity with global certification environments including EASA or other international aviation authorities.
• Experience driving process improvement standardization audit readiness or best-practice initiatives within certification or engineering organizations.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or for assuming sponsorship of an employment visa now or in the future.

If youre excited about working with Thales but not meeting the requirements for this position we encourage you to join our Talent Community!

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We are an equal opportunity employer including disability and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex race color religion national origin disability protected Veteran status age or any other characteristic protected by law.

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The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target is between

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including but not limited to the employees career path history competencies skills and performance as well as the companys annual salary budget the customers program requirements and the companys internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation depending on circumstances not related to an applicants status protected by local state or federal law.

(For Internal candidate if you need more information please reach out to your HR Shared Service 1st Point)

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents including the following:

Elective Health Dental Vision FSA/HSA Voluntary Life and AD&D Whole Group Life w/LTC Critical Illness Hospital Indemnity Accident Insurance Legal Plan Identity Theft and Pet Insurance

Retirement Savings Plan after 30 days of employment with a company contribution and a match and with no vesting period

Company paid holidays and Paid Time Off

Company provided Life Insurance AD&D Disability Employee Assistance Plan and Well-being Program