Head of Airworthiness

Working with the oldest supplier of aircraft tyres in the world, we are seeking a Technical Services Manager & Head of Airworthiness to support their continued global technical and customer engagement within the aviation and aerospace sectors.

Reporting to the Chief Technical Officer and having an internationally based team, the Technical Services Manager & Head of Airworthiness will work closely with the appropriate FAA and CAA authorities as well as the internal technical operational teams to ensure product and capability conformance.

Specifically:

• The Technical Services Group Manager is to lead and manage the Technical Services Group in delivery of in-service tyre performance and safety measured and related services to customers, third parties, end users and within our client, to best promote the maximum product performance and safety.
• The Head of Airworthiness role is to act as point of contact between the Approved Design Organisation (ADO) and its relevant national aviation authority. Across both these roles the holder is required to ensure product safety and continued demonstration of compliance with airworthiness and OE specification requirements is maintained.

Main duties:

• Participate and contribute as a member of the Technical Management team to include, but not limited to, effective capacity and capability planning, cost control, team working and leadership.
• Define requirements for tyre product development in accordance with airworthiness standards and end user needs.
• Maintain and make available relevant Airworthiness documentation in accordance with new and legacy product design.
• Ensure airworthiness compliance of product design for New Product Development and Continuous Product Development.
• The primary point of contact for and develop the working relationships with all applicable Airworthiness Authority agencies, Customers and Suppliers as necessary.
• Implement a continuous airworthiness awareness programme across the Company (tailored to be relevant to individual business areas). This must include creating and maintaining the relevant Company manuals, process and procedures.
• Establish and maintain a product support 'front desk' ensuring 24/7 support for all in-service customers.
• Establish, implement and manage product evaluations with Customers that support business growth.
• Monitor and report product performance and identify potential in-service issues and ensure appropriate corrective actions are efficiently developed and effectively implemented.
• Implement a company-wide customer and product user training programme and work with customers to ensure product can be maintained to provide best value for money.
• The role requires reactive and proactive travel as necessary, globally.

Main measures:

• Continued safe operation of in-service product.
• 100% compliance to Airworthiness regulations.
• Maintained Part 21J approval status.
• Zero product safety escapes related to product design.
• Resolution of in-service product issues in accordance with agreed turn-around times.
• Customer satisfaction continuous improvement measured through annual customer survey.

To support the role, you ideally should have the following experience, but consideration will be given to other aerospace product groups and the MRO environment:

• 2 years or more experience within tyre industry or similar relating product groups preferred.
• Awareness of tyre design, manufacture and operation where possible.
• Experience conducting and/or overseeing root cause analysis or related investigations.
• Experience in an outward facing role with responsibility for communications to third parties, preferably customers.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in an aerospace design or airworthiness role.
• Thorough knowledge of UK CAA Part 21 requirements.
• Familiar with UK CAA CS.23, CS.25 and TSO-C62.
• Appreciation for regulatory/standards divergence between UK CAA, EASA and FAA.
• Prior experience as a UK CAA or EASA Form 4 holder preferred.

This role will be office based at the manufacturing site in Birmingham with consideration for hybrid working.