Aviation Safety Staff Engineer; Design, Certification, MMEL, and Operations

Aviation Safety Staff Engineer (Design, Certification, MMEL, 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 80,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines) seeks an experienced Staff Engineer for our Tysons (McLean), Virginia office. The Staff Engineer 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.

Their specific focus is in the policy areas of Part 25 aircraft design/certification, as well as Part 121 continuing airworthiness, operations specifications, and aircraft maintenance, including master minimum equipment list (MMEL) policies and procedures. They provide coordination and technical support to the Air Safety Organization, accident and incident investigations, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transport Canada (TC) pilot certificate enforcement action cases, and other safety investigations in the areas of aircraft design, manufacturing, and continuing airworthiness/maintenance.

The Staff Engineer effectively represents the Association and the department, interacting with government and industry safety officials on a routine basis, advocating on behalf of the Association’s priorities from a policy perspective. They are also routinely tasked to use their engineering training and experience to analyze Airworthiness Directives, Petitions for Exemption, and Special Conditions to develop recommended action by the association.

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. While this position requires engineering expertise, it is a policy position. The staff engineer will be routinely asked to translate engineering information into summaries for department management and leadership.

up to 25%.

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, caste, 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.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

ALPA is a member‑driven, staff‑supported union with two internal professional unions.

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant area, e.g., Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineering or other related engineering discipline, from an accredited college or university.
• Three (3) years of related experience in the civilian aviation industry, five (5) or more strongly preferred.
• Experience in U.S. and/or Canadian Aviation Regulations (FARs and CARs), national and international aviation standards, and aircraft design standards.
• Familiarization with and participation in policy activities that include the Aviation Rule making Advisory Committee (ARAC), the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council (CARAC), and Aviation Rule making Committee (ARC) processes is strongly preferred.
• A pilot’s license with an instrument rating and/or special knowledge or applicable expertise in the aviation industry preferred. Other aviation industry experience may be substituted for the pilot’s license.
• Experience in Part 25 airplane design/certification and/or Part 121 operations and continuing airworthiness, as well as airplane maintenance, is required.
• FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification (A&P license) and/or equivalent experience with maintenance and/or large aircraft manufacturing preferred.
• Experience with…