Principal Certification & Airworthiness Engineer

Principal Certification & Airworthiness Engineer

Huntington Beach, California, United States

Founded in 2023, Mach Industries is a rapidly growing defense technology company focused on developing next-generation autonomous defense platforms. At the core of our mission is the commitment to delivering scalable, decentralized defense systems that enhance the strategic capabilities of the United States and its allies. With a workforce of approximately 350 employees, we operate with startup agility and ambition.

Our vision is to redefine the future of warfare through cutting-edge manufacturing, innovation at speed, and unwavering focus on national security. We are dedicated to solving the next generation of warfare with lethal systems that deter kinetic conflict and protect global security.

The Principal Certification & Airworthiness Engineer serves as the independent technical authority responsible for ensuring the safety, regulatory compliance, and airworthiness of the company’s flight systems and munition payload integrations. This role owns the certification strategy, safety case, and release-to-flight authority, ensuring designs meet applicable military and civil airworthiness standards. This position will also advise on munitions safety and weapon system cybersecurity evaluation methods to ensure both test range accessibility and operational use are approved by the appropriate entities.

You will act as a liaison between Mach Industries and the Department of War (DoW) for certification and developmental/risk reduction tests initiatives.

Serve as the independent airworthiness authority for flight systems and payload integrations.

Define certification strategies and compliance plans aligned with MIL-HDBK-516, FAA/EASA regulations, and relevant DoW airworthiness requirements.

Lead development and approval of airworthiness documentation including certification plans, compliance reports, and safety assessments.

Interface with government airworthiness authorities and mission partners to support Military Flight Release (MFR) and related certification approvals.

Lead system safety activities in accordance with MIL-STD-882E, including hazard analyses and safety risk assessments.

Oversee certification activities for aircraft systems, modifications, and repairs.

Provide independent approval for safety-critical design changes and configuration releases.

Maintain continuing airworthiness processes throughout the lifecycle of deployed systems.

Provide certification oversight for hazardous payload and weapons system integrations, including familiarity with MIL-STD-2105 (Insensitive Munitions), MIL-STD-1316 (Fuze Safety), and related safety standards.

Approve handling, integration, and operational procedures involving hazardous payload systems.

Provide airworthiness approval for ground and flight testing.

Review and approve test plans to ensure compliance with airworthiness and safety requirements.

Support test team in developing and refining comprehensive test strategies, test plans, and test cases based on Combatant Command CONOPS, airworthiness requirements, and system specifications.

Ensure compliance of testing activities with regulatory, security, and internal standards

Establish and lead certification governance processes including Airworthiness Review Boards and Safety Review Boards.

Develop internal airworthiness processes and mentor engineering teams on certification requirements.

Advise executive leadership on certification strategy, safety risks, and regulatory considerations.

15+ years of aerospace, defense, or national security flight systems experience, including significant experience in airworthiness certification or system safety.

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field (Master’s preferred).

Deep knowledge of MIL-HDBK-516 / MIL-STD-516 airworthiness criteria and MIL-STD-882 system safety.

Experience working with DoD airworthiness authorities and supporting Military…