Serves as an Aerospace Engineer (Program Manager) within Aircraft Certification Service (AIR).
Duties
This position plans and accomplishes highly complex and challenging projects/programs and other work activities under the minimal direction of a manager or more experienced engineer. Also is responsible for planning, coordinating, reviewing, and tracking the certification activities of type certification projects of aircraft, engines, or propellers using advanced materials, systems and design concepts.
Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of engineering principles, theories, and concepts applicable to his/her discipline, as well as an understanding of new technologies and methodologies, to solve complex problems and to develop improved technical processes for the organization. In doing so, he/she reviews and analyzes applications for type certificate and supplemental type certificate design approvals from domestic, foreign and Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) applicants. Determines the overall safety of proposed aircraft, engines and propellers, areas requiring issue papers, general acceptability of proposals, resource utilization, and applicability of the proposed certification schedules. Uses experience and knowledge of policy and regulations in managing the certification of aeronautical products to include designee management and system oversight.
May act as a principal technical specialist or as a project/program manager or team leader for large work activities. Assists management in distributing certification program work to other members of the workgroup. Conducts regular certification program reviews to ensure focus on goals, objectives, and activities and communicates with management on changes in priorities. Acts as a change agent towards commonly shared goals and coordinates with other FAA team members to ensure that all safety concerns and possible items affecting more than one area are addressed and resolved.
Prepares technical documents, which compels others to take action, instruct others in carrying out activities, or explain the purpose, goals, and objectives of a policy/regulations. He/she drafts, reviews, and edits reports or contractual documents for final approval prior to external distribution. Presents briefings to obtain consensus/approval on policies. Coordinates significant technical matters with representatives of external organizations.
Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for addressing issues, but allow considerable discretion to develop new and innovative approaches. Draws on engineering experience to solve unusual problems and may create new solutions and policy interpretations. Provides policy guidance and instruction to others, both internally and externally.
Applies principles of good stakeholder service in dealings with industry, AIR and other FAA organizations, bilateral partners, and the public. Integrates stakeholder needs and expectations into delivery of services. Handles stakeholder requests in an expeditious manner and seeks mutually satisfactory approaches to work. Educates the aviation industry on safety management concepts and processes to support product life cycle management. Works to continually improve business processes and the associated product quality.
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.