AW101 - Airworthiness Lead in Somerset

Your impact

Are you an experienced engineer with a strong understanding of certification processes? We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Airworthiness Engineer to act as the key interface between the Chief Project Engineering (CPE) office, independent verification engineers, and regulatory authorities for EH/ AW101 Programmes. You will be responsible for managing and standardising certification documentation, ensuring all submissions are compliant, consistent, and aligned with regulatory requirements. Working in close integration with the CPE function, you will coordinate certification activities, support documentation review and approval, and ensure effective communication with external authorities. This role requires a strong engineering background, a solid understanding of certification processes, and the ability to interpret and produce high-quality technical documentation.

What you will do as a Lead Airworthiness Engineer:

• Manage, define, prepare and execute the Certification Plan based on the inputs of CPE Offices, and Technical Areas / Disciplines and in consistency with applicable airworthiness Regulations;
• Approve the Certification Plan and the Compliance Check List (including Means of Compliance definition, prepared by Technical Areas / Disciplines), ensuring its completeness in compliance with regulations and monitoring its progress and updates;
• Support CPE Office, if requested, for correct classification of the predefined Minor/B changes and Minor/A changes as per 100-50-158;
• Approve the classification of changes to the Type Certificate signing MTDC Sheet 1 and the relevant check list plus MTDC Sheet 2 for final classification;
• Approve the classification of revisions to the Rotorcraft Flight Manual signing MTDC Sheet 1 and the relevant check list;
• Organise the IVEs effort and manage prioritization of their involvement according to the progress of the activities defined in the Certification Plan;
• Approve the Compliance Summary Report to declare the Compliance with the applicable Basis of Certification and ensure that all activities required by the Certification Plan are satisfactorily completed and (in coordination / collaboration with the CPE Office) that the applicable drawings (if any) are issued;
• Provide verification to the HDO that all activities required for Type Certification have been properly completed;
• Co-operate with the Head of Airworthiness and the Chief of Initial Airworthiness – UK on assigned tasks, which falls under the responsibilities of the Office of Airworthiness (special Category Certificates of Airworthiness, Special Flight Authorization, management of rules etc.).
• Collaborate for the approval process of repairs classified Minor/a or Major;
• If requested, participate to the Configuration Management Committee acquiring timely and effective awareness to define the correct classification changes as Major/Minor A/B;
• Be informed about the occurrences impacting on Initial Airworthiness of the Product (or family) of competence.

Airworthiness Engineers are managed by the Chief of Initial Airworthiness. Airworthiness Engineers are program / platform specific and can be, depending on workload, fully dedicated or part time, coordinating Certification Engineers dynamically allocated according to workload.

What you’ll bring:

• A Masters degree in Aeronautical/Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering is preferable, but a Bachelor degree with 5 or more years of experience in an Aerospace environment, or a different education level within engineering with 10 or more years of experience in an Aerospace environment would also be suitable.
• Strong knowledge of airworthiness principles and certification frameworks.
• Proven ability to ensure compliance with aviation regulations, manage audits, and maintain approval standards.
• Broad understanding of aircraft systems (structures, avionics, propulsion) and engineering lifecycle processes.
• Ability to assess risks, conduct root cause analysis, and make sound airworthiness decisions.
• Strong ability to liaise with regulators, customers, and internal stakeholders, and clearly present technical information.
• Chartered Engineer status is preferable or be willing to work towards achieving it.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance:

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Why join us:

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech.