Senior Airworthiness & Certification Engineer

Merlin Labs

. Execute certification strategy and technical approach for a major program or product line .

Posted 10/6/2026full-timeUnited StatesSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in aerospace certification processes, including compliance with military and civil airworthiness standards. Proficient in managing certification documentation, regulatory audits, and mentoring engineering teams to ensure adherence to industry regulations.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Aerospace Certification Experience14 CFR Part 21/23/25 KnowledgeMilitary Airworthiness StandardsProject Management CapabilityStrong Communication Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Certification Documentation ManagementCompliance Risk IdentificationTechnical Assistance to EngineersIssue Paper AuthoringType Inspection Authorization Management

Soft Skills

Independent Work CapabilityCross-Functional Team CollaborationMentoring Junior Engineers

Tools & Technologies

Regulatory Audit ManagementConformity Inspection Management

Certifications & Qualifications

Active Secret Clearance

Industry Keywords

Airworthiness AuthoritiesMilitary Certification Review ItemsAdvisory CircularsMIL-SPECsMIL-STDsDEF STANs

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Execute certification strategy and technical approach for a major program or product line
Plan, develop, and coordinate important engineering projects
Lead certification documentation and compliance activities for complex technical areas, including structures, systems, avionics, or flight controls
Develop and apply military and industry airworthiness standards and guide engineering teams in compliant design
Author and manage Issue Papers, Certification Review Items, and Military Certification Review Items through closure
Interface with regulatory representatives, airworthiness authorities, and sponsoring offices on assigned certification topics
Drive certification schedules, identify compliance risks, and implement mitigation strategies
Support civil certification programs using 14 CFR Part 21/23/25 and applicable advisory circulars
Manage regulatory audits, conformity inspections, and test witnessing activities
Standardize and scale airworthiness and certification processes
Provide technical assistance to certification engineers across departments
Manage Type Inspection Authorization prerequisites, draft TIAs, and secure approvals
Manage the designee program, including appointment and oversight, and maintain an internal designee resource registry
Mentor junior and mid-level certification engineers
Resolve complex compliance challenges and communicate with civil and military regulatory authorities

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
6–9 years of aerospace certification experience, including direct interface with airworthiness or certification authorities
Ability to work independently and within cross-functional engineering teams
Hands-on experience taking military airworthiness or civil certification programs from certification basis development through closure
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Project management capability
Working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 21, 23, and 25 and applicable advisory circulars
Ability to interface with military airworthiness authorities and conduct meetings with regulatory agencies
U.S. citizenship
Active Secret clearance or a clear path to one, as required by program assignment
Working knowledge of military airworthiness standards, including MIL-SPECs, MIL-STDs, and DEF STANs
Must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship now or in the future
Successful background and reference checks

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Life insurance
Flexible paid time off
401(k) with match
Work/life integration
Professional development support
Entrepreneurial, team-focused startup environment