Certification Expert - Hydromechanical and Flight Control Systems

Job Overview

As a Flight Controls and Hydromechanical Systems Expert you will contribute to aviation safety by providing technical expertise to guide and permit decisions in initial airworthiness certification, continued airworthiness and environmental compatibility at aircraft and equipment level. You manage and contribute to the approval of applications for Type Certificates (TC), changes to type certificates, and Supplemental Type Certificates (STC). In addition, you will support other core technical activities of the Agency as well as promote the organisation internally and externally.

General Accountabilities

In the respective domain:

• Provide expert advice and contribution to complex certification for the determination of the applicable certification basis, the definition of the level of involvement by selecting compliance demonstration items and the agreement of applicants’ certification programmes.
• Verify the compliance demonstrations provided by applicants for the domain of expertise in cooperation with the certification teams and experts of other technical domains.
• Develop and contribute to the definition of interpretative material and special conditions as well as assess requests for deviations or for equivalent level of safety to address new technologies, unconventional uses, and proposals for novel compliance demonstration.
• Ensure investigation of in-service occurrences and defects in the domain of expertise and contribute to the agreement of adequate corrective actions to maintain acceptable safety standards as well as to ensure follow-up of those actions wherever necessary.
• For the domain of expertise provide advice in the development of new airworthiness and environmental protection requirements, industrial standards, including relevant parts of EASA Certification Specifications and advisory- as well as guidance material.
• Provide inputs and support to Design Organisation Approval activities as necessary.
• Provide technical inputs to support the other Agency’s activities such as Research projects or Innovation Partnership Contracts
• Represent the Agency externally in international working-groups or standardisation bodies when requested to do so.

Specific Accountabilities

In the position of Certification Expert - Hydromechanical and Flight Control Systems 

• Develop and deliver technical training on the Certification Specifications and on advisory&guidance material in the area of flight controls and hydromechanical systems; coach and mentor less experienced professionals.
• Support the harmonisation of differing technical opinions on the interpretation and compliance to airworthiness requirements in the scope of expertise.

Admission Criteria

The following constitute eligibility and essential criteria for the role to be admitted to the selection process. Candidates not fulfilling these criteria by the deadline for applications will be excluded from the selection process:

• Have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the European Union (at least level C1) and a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the EU to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties (at least level B2). One of the required languages shall be English*
• Be a national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
• Completed university studies of at least 4 years attested by a diploma in aeronautical engineering, mechanical engineering, process engineering, automotive engineering or other relevant subjects within the scope of the profile. After obtaining the degree, at least 6 years of relevant professional experience in the domain of hydromechanical and flight control systems, acquired in positions corresponding to the nature of the duties of the job profile. Alternatively, completion of at least 3 years of university studies as above, followed by at least 7 years of relevant professional experience in the domain of hydromechanical and flight control systems.
• Proven experience in at least ONE of the following domains: development, modelling, certification, and/or certification/design/equipment qualification testing of aircraft flight controls and hydromechanical systems.
  
  The following constitute advantageous criteria for the role. Candidates not fulfilling these criteria will not be excluded from the selection process: 
• Professional experience in the field of flight control systems (FBW, Fly-by-Wire).
• Professional experience on aircraft level issues going beyond the flight control and hydromechanical systems which involves/affects the interface of these systems with other disciplines.
• Involvement in the certification process as an expert in industry having a Certification Verification function, or in a National Aviation Authority (NAA) as an expert in the domain of flight controls and hydromechanical systems certification.

* English oral and written skills will be assessed throughout the assessment phase.

Further language assessment may be organised, where necessary, to verify compliance with the requirement to demonstrate knowledge of two EU languages.

** This vacancy is open as well to Temporary Agents (2f) employed at EASA, in the grade bracket AD 5 - AD 9. 

Selection criteria

The selection process is based on the assessment of the following Professional skills and Behavioural competences:

The selection process is based on the assessment of the professional skills and competences listed below. 
While these are considered essential for performing the role effectively, candidates who do not meet all criteria may still be considered. 

Professional Skills

Behavioural Competences

Mandatory Pre-Employment Requirements

Prior to recruitment, you will be requested to demonstrate that you:  

• Are entitled to the full rights as a citizen.
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws on military service.
• Meet the character requirements for the duties involved (you will be asked to provide a police certificate confirming the absence of any criminal record) .
• Are physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post (you will be asked to undergo a medical examination in a centre indicated by EASA).

Conditions of Employment

Contract: 5 years contract as Temporary Agent 2 (f) with possibility of extension
Working hours: 40 hrs per week (on a full-time working pattern). Flexible working arrangements
Salary: Step in grade upon recruitment based on years of work experience. Additional allowances depending on personal situation
Location: Cologne, Germany (relocation is required)