Staff Airworthiness Engineer - Aircraft Development

As a Staff Airworthiness Engineer at Anduril Industries, your primary responsibilities will include developing Airworthiness certification plans, performing technical planning and verification, and ensuring the compliance of our aircraft development with both DoD and FAA standards. You'll work closely with engineering teams to guide technical reviews, cultivate relationships with airworthiness authorities, and address any challenges that arise during the development process to support successful military flight releases.

Candidates interested in the Staff Airworthiness Engineer position at Anduril Industries must possess at least a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline, along with a minimum of 8 years of airworthiness engineering experience. It's crucial to have a solid understanding of the DoD Airworthiness Policy directives and practical experience managing airworthiness plans throughout the developmental aircraft lifecycle.

The role of the Staff Airworthiness Engineer is vital to the advancements in military technology at Anduril Industries. By ensuring stringent airworthiness compliance, you contribute directly to the development and deployment of innovative defense systems, integrating state-of-the-art autonomy and AI technology to enhance U.S. military capabilities. Your work ensures that our aircraft are safe and effective, playing a crucial role in national security.

A Staff Airworthiness Engineer at Anduril Industries should have strong proficiency in various tools and software, including MATLAB, JIRA, DOORS, MS Office, and CATIA. Familiarity with digital environments that facilitate airworthiness activities and organizational needs is also important, as these tools help streamline communication and problem-solving within the engineering teams.

The work environment for a Staff Airworthiness Engineer at Anduril Industries is fast-paced, innovative, and collaborative. You will work alongside highly skilled professionals dedicated to pioneering military technology. The culture here encourages proactive problem-solving, open communication, and the sharing of creative solutions to ensure successful outcomes in aircraft development projects.

In preparing for this question, discuss your hands-on experience working with DoD Policy Directives, emphasizing specific projects where you applied these guidelines to ensure compliance throughout the aircraft lifecycle. Highlight any particular challenges you faced and how you overcame them by applying your knowledge of the policies.

When answering this question, narrate a specific situation involving an airworthiness certification challenge. Outline the steps you took to address it—such as conducting thorough analyses or collaborating with stakeholders—and detail the successful outcome of the situation, showcasing your problem-solving capabilities and project management skills.

To answer this question effectively, talk about the importance of proactive communication and engagement with FAA and DoD personnel. Mention techniques you've used to keep relationships positive, such as regular updates on project progress, attending relevant meetings, and sharing insights on compliance issues to foster collaboration and trust.

Discuss how teamwork is critical to achieving airworthiness compliance. Share examples from your past roles where you collaborated with multi-disciplinary teams to meet airworthiness requirements. Emphasize how joint efforts enhance problem-solving and streamline the certification process.

In answering this question, you should describe your systematic approach to tracking airworthiness criteria. Talk about your use of digital tools that aid in maintaining accurate records, monitoring compliance status, and keeping all stakeholders informed throughout the aircraft development process.

Explain your conflict resolution style. Provide an example of a past disagreement and how you utilized communication and negotiation skills to reach a consensus while ensuring compliance with airworthiness standards. This demonstrates your ability to navigate challenges professionally and constructively.

Discuss how functional and process analyses help in understanding the requirements allocation and defining how airworthiness principles can be integrated into the aircraft's design. Share your experience on how you've used these analyses to enhance compliance and streamline development processes effectively.

Share the methodologies you employ, such as agile practices, systems engineering principles, or adherence to specific guidelines like MIL-HDBK-516. Highlight how these methodologies improve your airworthiness planning process and enhance the overall project outcomes.

In your response, illustrate how effective prioritization is vital to managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Discuss any frameworks or tools you've utilized to manage tasks, ensuring that airworthiness requirements are met without compromising on quality or timelines.

Provide examples of times you utilized creative problem-solving to tackle airworthiness compliance issues. Highlight specific innovative approaches you implemented that led to improved project outcomes, showcasing your ability to think outside the box while adhering to necessary regulations.