Principal Avionics Certification Engineer

Company Description

General Dynamics Mission Systems engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of more than 13,000 top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defence and scientific arenas. In the UK, we are leading the way in avionics and communication systems. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency.

General Dynamics in St Leonards-on-Sea currently provide avionic mission computing systems for a wide range of military fast jets, helicopters, and UAV’s. Recent success has resulted in General Dynamics developing the next generation of Advanced High Performance, Safety Critical Mission Computer Systems to meet the needs of latest platforms in development by several aircraft manufacturers. These Mission Computing Systems provide the functionality that integrates aircraft systems, sensor systems and stores management systems with the information and control systems required by the aircrew to meet the demanding operational needs of these aircraft.

Job Description

Join our certification engineering team and help shape the certification approach for future combat-air capability as part of the GCAP programme. You will lead certification planning and compliance activities for complex, safety-critical avionics and mission-computing systems.

Working across systems, software, hardware, safety and quality disciplines, you will define proportionate certification approaches, guide the production of compliance evidence and provide authoritative certification advice. This is an opportunity to influence advanced airborne technology while contributing to a strategically important UK defence programme.

In this role you will: 

• Own and lead the certification strategy for complex airborne mission systems and associated software and electronic hardware
• Define certification plans, compliance approaches and evidence requirements across the programme lifecycle
• Interpret applicable certification objectives and provide authoritative advice to systems, software, hardware, safety and quality teams
• Ensure certification considerations are embedded within product architecture, development planning and engineering decision-making
• Lead reviews of certification evidence, identifying gaps, risks and dependencies that could affect programme delivery or assurance outcomes
• Lead engagement with customers, programme partners, certification authorities and other relevant assurance stakeholders
• Provide technical leadership during certification audits, reviews and formal assurance activities
• Make and communicate proportionate certification decisions, balancing compliance expectations, technical risk and programme constraints
• Coach Certification Engineers and provide guidance to multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Drive consistent certification methods, processes and good practice across the programme

Qualifications

Essential Experience

• Significant experience developing or leading certification and compliance approaches for complex airborne systems or products
• Strong knowledge of airborne software and/or electronic hardware certification, including significant experience applying DO-178C and/or DO-254
• Experience defining certification strategies, plans, compliance approaches and evidence requirements
• Experience interpreting certification objectives and translating them into practical engineering activities and deliverables
• Experience providing certification guidance across multidisciplinary systems, software, hardware, safety and quality teams
• Experience leading certification reviews, audits or formal assurance activities
• Experience engaging with customers, certification authorities, design organisations, programme partners or independent assurance stakeholders
• Ability to identify and communicate certification risks, gaps and priorities at both technical and programme levels
• Degree-level qualification in an engineering, scientific or technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience

Desirable Experience

• Experience acting as a certification technical authority, certification lead or senior airworthiness specialist
• Experience providing technical guidance or coaching to Certification Engineers and multidisciplinary teams
• Knowledge of systems-development and safety-assessment processes for airborne products
• Experience across software, electronic hardware or integrated system certification
• Familiarity with requirements management, configuration management and engineering lifecycle governance
• Experience within complex avionics, mission systems, embedded computing or other safety-critical products
• Knowledge of latest developments and guidance issued by authorities, including EASA AMCs and FAA Advisory Circular (AC)
• Experience working with or familiarity with AI/ML models is preferred

Additional Information

This role has a salary of between £60,000 and £74,000 plus our flexible benefits package.

We are open to this role being spent with time working from home and in the office (hybrid - typically 3 days working in office) on a weekly basis or fully in our offices.

We pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose, offering impressive benefits: 

• A compressed nine-day fortnight and compressed hours - which means every other Friday off. 
• A personalized career development plan, alongside regular progress reviews - supporting and valuing your progression within the Company. 
• A flexible working environment where your contributions are recognized and rewarded with flexible benefits 

We believe in maintaining a diverse workplace - inclusive of beliefs, cultural background, job experiences, thoughts and ideas. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we welcome you to join our inclusive team!

Our success is fuelled by our colleagues and the wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills they bring to the Company.

We are a Disability Confident Employer, as such we offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job.
Please email disabilityconfident@gd-ms.uk if you would like your application to be considered under the DC Scheme.

All successful/appointed applicants must be able to obtain a level of UK Security clearance that is appropriate for the role and undertake suitable Right to work checks.

Every application matters to us. We want you to know that each application we receive is reviewed by a real person—not just an algorithm. Our screening questions are also carefully considered to help us understand your experience and fit for the role.

We appreciate the time you take to apply.