Structures Design and Certification Engineer

Structures Design and Certification Engineer - Panel 3 (Design & Technical Check Led)

Working Pattern: Office-based preferred (5 days per week), with flexibility for hybrid and/or remote arrangements by agreement.

Regulatory Context: Part 21 Design Organisation (UK CAA / EASA aligned).

We are seeking an experienced Structures Engineer aligned to UK CAA / EASA Panel 3 (Structures Panel) to support aircraft‑level design activities within a Part 21 Design Organisation.

This is a design‑led role, with primary responsibility for aircraft structural design and independent technical checking. The position also requires a solid understanding of the Compliance Verification Engineer (CVE) function and its regulatory purpose.

While existing CVE authorisation is highly desirable, it is not an immediate requirement. However, the successful candidate will be expected to progress to CVE status in the near term, supported by the organisation, in order to meet the evolving needs of the business.

This role is not intended for compliance‑only or verification‑focused profiles. CVE responsibilities are expected to be built upon a strong foundation of hands‑on aircraft structural design experience, rather than forming the primary focus of the position.

• Act as a design owner for aircraft structural solutions, taking accountability from initial concept through detailed design, substantiation, and delivery.
• Produce aircraft‑level structural design solutions and subsequent reports, compliant with the applicable certification basis (e.g. CS‑23 / CS‑25 / CS‑27 / CS‑29, as applicable).
• Develop and support structural substantiation inputs, including:
• Strength, stiffness, fatigue, and damage tolerance considerations,
• Durability and continued airworthiness aspects,
• Installation and interface design for primary and secondary structures.
• Support new design, modification, and repair activities across metallic and/or composite structures.
• Interface effectively with other engineering disciplines (loads, stress, systems, interiors, manufacturing, and airworthiness) to deliver integrated and certifiable design solutions.
• Apply sound engineering judgement derived from first‑hand design experience, rather than solely from compliance or review activity.

• Perform independent technical checking of structural design data, including:
• Drawings and models
• Substantiation and stress reports
• Installation instructions and supporting engineering data
• Ensure design outputs are technically robust, internally consistent, and compliant with applicable requirements, assumptions, and approved methods.
• Provide clear, proportionate, and constructive technical challenge in line with Design Assurance System principles.

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the CVE role, grounded in prior experience producing and owning structural design data within a Design Organisation.
• Support compliance activities by delivering technically sound design and substantiation data suitable for CVE findings.
• Work towards formal CVE authorisation (Structures) in the near term, in line with business needs and regulatory expectations.
• Engage effectively with internal airworthiness functions and, where required, with the regulators.
• CVE responsibilities are expected to develop as an extension of demonstrated design and technical checking capability, not as a standalone compliance function.

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Previous experience within an approved Design Organisation (Part 21 DOA or equivalent i.e. ADOA, TC‑H, Regulator etc).
• Demonstrable aircraft‑level structural design experience, beyond isolated component or academic work.
• Strong background in aircraft level structural design and independent technical checking.
• Evidence of hands‑on design responsibility, including production of drawings, models, and/or substantiation data used to support certification or approval.
• Working knowledge of:
• Certification specifications and airworthiness principles,
• Design assurance and compliance processes.
• Aw…