Senior Manager - Aircraft Certification

Overview

Job Summary

The Senior Manager of Aircraft Certification is responsible for leading all certification activities to ensure compliance with FAA, international regulatory, and other government product certification, and airworthiness requirements as necessary for aircraft systems and modifications. This role oversees the integration and certification of complex mission systems across commercial HEMS, Defense Programs, Aerial Firefighting (AFF), and other configurations as required, ensuring all certifications are supported by designs and substantiating data in alignment with SAE ARP 4754B and SAE ARP 4761A standards. The Senior Manager of Aircraft Certification is accountable for strategic and timely certification planning, including the effective use of ELOS and AMOCs under 14 CFR Part 21, and ensures professional and proficient management of Issue Papers, position papers, and regulatory responses. This role collaborates with internal teams, vendors, contract personnel, and regulatory authorities to achieve timely approvals while managing the certification engineering team, Document Control, and Technical Writers. The Senior Manager also drives the development of organizational expertise in safety and systems engineering, ensures all certification activities are conducted efficiently, within budget, and to the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance, and estimates headcount requirements to meet S&OP demand/capacity planning needs. Additionally, this position ensures projects align with the budget and strategic direction set forth by the Director of Engineering.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities include the following:

• Function as focal point for all STC certification, FAA field approvals, qualification plans/programs acting as the FAA ODA Lead Administrator, ensuring full compliance with 14 CFR Part 183 requirements for Organizational Designation Authorization, including managing the delegation of authority, ensuring adherence to ODA procedures manual, all MOUs, and maintaining ODA Holder compliance.
• Define and develop department resource requirements for certification engineering, including staffing needs and software/ computer requirements and communicate resource requirement to the Director of Engineering and other engineering leadership.
• Point of Contact (POC) for all certification communication and coordination with FAA Certification Branch, DERs, AM ODA UMs, and all United Rotorcraft departments.
• Responsible for the cost, quality, and delivery of data packages and certification plans to Project Engineering for submittal to FAA or AM ODA, foreign CAAs, and other government agencies and activities as may be required.
• Oversee and coordinate the development and approval of PSCPs and CIPs by integrating safety and systems engineering principles to ensure compliance and traceability and to develop and implements strategies to maximize the use of ELOS and AMOCs under 14 CFR Part 21 STC applications to reduce project cost and timelines.
• Ensure all certification activities are supported by designs and substantiating data compliant with 14 CFR and supported by SAE ARP 4754B and SAE ARP 4761A standards, as appropriate, prior to submittal to regulatory authorities, including the ODA.
• Assist with development and continual improvement of departmental personnel and procedures to obtain and maintain team proficiency, FAA ODA certification, and the various approvals of type design data, i.e., STCs, PMA, or other.
• Responsible for the production and distribution of procedures, service letters, instruction/repair guides and kit lists/ installation data.
• Maintain awareness of and ensures organizational compliance with all new FAA regulations and actions that impact United Rotorcraft, FAA Approved IP, and its customers.
• Ensure the coordination of aircraft certification activity with Project Engineers, Repair Station personnel, and vendors as required.
• Responsible for the proficiency and competency of assigned staff and to provide technical mentorship and training to certification engineering, technical writers, and document control personnel on compliance strategies, safety assessments, technical content and tools, and regulatory standards.
• Other duties as assigned

Additional Job Requirements

• Regular scheduled attendance
• Indicate the percentage of time spent traveling - 5%

Subject to applicable laws and Air Method's policies, regular attendance is an essential function of the position. All employees must follow Air Methods' employment practices and policies.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises employees in the certification/structures engineering departments. Carries out Supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, selecting, hiring, and training employees, planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must demonstrate the ability to satisfactorily perform each essential function. The qualifications outlined below represent the required knowledge, skills, experience, and abilities necessary for the role. In compliance with applicable laws, Air Methods will provide reasonable accommodations, barring undue hardship, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree (BS/BA) in Engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited four-year college or university, with 7+ years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10-20 years of progressive experience in FAA aircraft certification activities, including demonstrated expertise in 14 CFR compliance and program leadership.
• Thorough familiarity with FAA regulatory requirements is required, with specific expertise in 14 CFR Part 21; additional experience with governmental (e.g., DoD) and foreign CAA certification is highly desirable.
• Direct experience working with FAA personnel and managing regulatory interactions is required.
• Previous experience with ODA administration is strongly preferred, with demonstrated success in an ODA leadership or equivalent regulatory management role.
• Proven managerial experience with 7+ years of supervisory or people leadership responsibilities, demonstrating mature practice in team development, resource allocation, and performance management.

Skills

• Demonstrated team leadership abilities, including effective organization of departmental work, staff development, and fostering a high-performing, collaborative team environment.
• Proven ability to manage and prioritize fluctuating workloads and resources, balancing IMS priorities with process challenges, defined projects, and organizational directives.
• Strong strategic acumen, with the ability to align team motivation, coaching, and comprehension to support long-term goals and organizational initiatives. A Lean or process-oriented background, including expertise in Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action processes, is highly desired.
• Exceptional technical writing skills, particularly in developing, reviewing, or editing repair instructions, maintenance manuals, instructions for continued airworthiness, and other regulatory documents.
• Comprehensive experience in FAA certification and/or governmental qualification testing, with the ability to lead compliance strategies and integrate testing outcomes into certification efforts.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with FAA personnel, internal stakeholders, and cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment and regulatory compliance.
• Advanced problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, with the ability to anticipate challenges and implement practical, innovative solutions.

Computer Skills

• Advanced experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Experience with Solidworks and/or Solidworks EPDM preferred
• Experience with AutoCad preferred

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• FAA DER desired. Equivalent experience with systems engineering acceptable

Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.

Air Methods is an EEO/AA employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.