Aviation Safety Staff Engineer (Design, Certification, and Operations)

Aviation Safety Staff Engineer (Design, Certification, and Operations)

The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the largest airline pilot union in the world and the largest non-governmental aviation safety organization in the world (representing over 75,000 pilots at 43 U.S. and Canadian airlines) seeks an experienced Staff Engineer for our Tysons (McLean), Virginia office.  The Staff Engineer, in the Engineering and Air Safety Department, provides staff coordination and liaison with government, industry, and professional stakeholders on behalf of the Air Safety Organization and other Association committees, MECs, and National Officers, as assigned by the department Director or Manager.  They provide coordination and technical support to the Air Safety Organization, accident and incident investigations, FAA/TC pilot certificate enforcement action cases, and other safety investigations in the areas of aircraft design, manufacturing, and maintenance.  Their specific focus is in the areas of aircraft design, certification, operations specifications, and maintenance.  Additionally, there is an emerging focus on new aircraft types including supersonic aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, spacecraft, and the like.  The Staff Engineer effectively represents the Association and the department, interacting with government and industry safety officials on a routine basis.  They are also routinely tasked to use their engineering training and experience to analyze internal and external airworthiness and certification related data, to identify trends and develop potential safety risk mitigation strategies. In coordination with relevant committees and staff members, they develop and coordinate written communications to membership, government, and industry groups outlining ALPA positions on a wide variety of operational safety issues.

Local, national, and international travel:  20 - 40%.

ALPA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in a safe workplace.  We prohibit discrimination, harassment and harmful behavior of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics as outlined in federal or provincial laws.  We highly value everyone and all are encouraged to apply, including minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant area, e.g., Aerospace Engineering, Aviation Science, or other related discipline, from an accredited college or university required; or, the equivalent combination of education and practical aviation experience. Additional applicable aviation experience may be substituted for the academic requirement. 
• Three (3) years of related experience in the aviation industry, five (5) or more strongly preferred.
• Experience in U.S. and Canadian Aviation Regulations (FARs and CARs), national and international aviation standards, and aircraft design standards required.
• Familiarization with and participation in Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC), the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council (CARAC), and Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) processes is required.
• A pilot’s license with an instrument rating and/or special knowledge or applicable expertise in the aviation industry strongly preferred. Other aviation industry experience may be substituted for the pilot’s license.
• Experience in aircraft design and operations is required. .
• FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification (A&P Certificate) and/or equivalent experience with maintenance and/or large aircraft manufacturing preferred.
• Experience with NTSB and/or TSB accident investigation processes preferred.
• Strong technical writing and public speaking skills required.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written, for effective interaction with all levels of contacts, internal and external.
• Must be a self-starter with professional maturity and sound judgment, capable of independent decision-making and to be proactive in identifying and responding to issues and problems.
• Must possess exceptional time management skills; be able to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment; and, transition easily between projects.
• Software: Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Physical Demands:

Note: The physical demands described herein are characteristic of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential physical activities of this position described below.

Constantly operates a computer/smartphone/tablet.  Regularly required to maintain a stationary position, move about the office and the local metropolitan area, determine what others have said or written, and converse with others and exchange accurate information.

Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about the office and travel (locally, nationally, and internationally).  Also includes occasional bending, stooping, squatting, and/or pushing and pulling or moving, e.g., to pack, unpack, and/or move cases.

Occasionally required to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve binders, books, boxes, and files up to ten (10) pounds (lbs.).  While on travel, could be responsible to move luggage weighing as much as 50 lbs.  (Assistance may not always be available.)     

ALPA offers competitive salaries with terrific benefits, including:

• 401k Plan with Non-Elective Employer Contribution of 11% plus 2% into a Market-Based Cash Balance Plan after 180 days of employment.  No employee contribution required!  The 401k plan includes a Roth option and 4-year vesting schedule.
• Generous health care benefits on day one – PPO, Kaiser (where available), and a High Deductible Health Plan which includes coverage for medical, dental, and vision benefits for employee, spouse, and/or dependent children;
• 15 days paid vacation and 12 holidays per year plus 2 volunteer days per year;
• Generous sick and bereavement leave;
• Competitive parental leave;
• Company-paid premiums for disability and life insurance;
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings accounts;
• Retiree health plan;
• Education Assistance Program; and,
• Optional benefits including pet insurance, excess life insurance, legal plan, and qualified transportation fringe benefits, where available.
• Partial remote work opportunities.

Relocation not provided.

Sponsorship not available for this position. 

PM19