The Aerospace Engineer serves as program manager and senior engineer in the Military Certification Branch (MCB). Serves as an aerospace electrical systems expert in the MCB on diverse matters related to type, production, and airworthiness certification, continued operational safety and airworthiness systems integration for Military Commercial Derivative Aircraft (MCDA).
Duties
Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of engineering principles, theories and concepts, as well as an understanding of new technologies and methodologies, to solve complex problems and to develop improved technical processes for the organization. Considers the objectives of the division and LOB/SO when developing, integrating and implementing solutions to diverse, complex problems, manages MCA programs, design approval and type certification projects. Establishes initial agreements between the FAA and the Sponsors regarding program-specific services the FAA will provide. Assists and advises the Sponsors in developing acquisition strategies, airworthiness plans, and requests for proposals. Evaluates the suitability of compliance plans and especially their proposed interfaces between FAA and military airworthiness systems. Assists stakeholders in improving their understanding of FAA requirements and airworthiness system integration.
Leads and supports diverse portfolios of organizational initiatives, ad hoc and structured technical assistance activities, integrated MCDA programs and certification and design approval projects. Provides aerospace and systems structured technical expertise and guidance. Advances individual, team, unit, and organizational efforts toward agency and line-of-business (LOB) goals and outcomes. Provides Continued Operational and Safety (COS) support for the fleet of MCDA. Coordinates COS issues with the FAA offices that manage the original type certificates and maintenance specifications for which the MCDA is a derivative or within which they are maintained. Coordinates COS issues with the pertinent Sponsor organization operating and/or maintaining MCDA.
Responsible for planning, coordinating, reviewing and evaluating all activities for administering type certification projects for aircraft using advanced materials and novel systems and design concepts. Prepares policy and guidance material on technical and administrative matters specifically related to MCDA and their airworthiness lifecycles. Defines, organizes, and assigns resources to accomplish organizational objectives. Allocates resources to accomplish large work activities within established schedules. Leads Type Certification Boards, large and small inter-intra agency teams. Trains, develops, mentors, and advises other FAA employees in various aspects of certification services, technical assistance and airworthiness system integration conducted for the MCDA and related activities.
Reviews and analyzes applicants for all varieties of design approvals in determining the overall safety of proposed aircraft, areas requiring equivalencies and rulemaking and general acceptability of compliance planning and reporting documents. Coordinates project concerns and issues that may affect the MCDA design, the project costs or the project schedule, with the Sponsor.
Advises and participates in the development of designated organization procedures related to MCDA. Recommends individual designee appointments, oversees designee and designated organization supervisory records in coordination with responsible FAA oversight office. Determines applicability of pertinent regulations, policies, standards and procedures to proposed designs, develops and recommends new or amended changes to regulations, policies, standards, or procedures as necessary. Assesses the need for and participates in the development, establishment, and amendment of national standards, regulations, advisory material, criteria, policies, and procedures relating to MCDA.
Contacts are internal and external. Often represents FAA as a senior technical point of contact with the manufacturer/modifier and the Sponsor in the resolution of technical and administrative problems related to MCDA projects.
Work is reviewed rarely, typically through status reports and at project completion, to ensure technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project or other work activity.