Airworthiness Engineer in Derby

We are seeking a Specialist Airworthiness Engineer to act as a critical link between Rolls-Royce, regulatory authorities (including EASA), and internal engineering teams.

At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. By joining Rolls-Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high-performance culture.

This is a high integrity, stand-alone role requiring strong judgement, independence, and the confidence to challenge when necessary. You will provide expert oversight of airworthiness and product safety, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while safeguarding the integrity of engineering decisions. You'll play a key role in reviewing comprehensive technical documentation, influencing certification strategies, and maintaining strong relationships with regulators-while remaining an objective and independent voice within the business. This is not a typical project based engineering role. You'll be the go-to expert offering sound advice to the business-trusted to challenge, influence, and uphold the highest safety standards.

Unique opportunity to operate as a trusted, independent authority within the business.

High visibility role with direct impact on product safety and regulatory compliance.

Exposure to senior stakeholders, regulators, and complex engineering programmes.

Opportunity to shape safety standards and influence regulatory practices.

What You will be doing:

• Act as the primary interface with airworthiness authorities (e.g. EASA), maintaining strong and effective relationships.
• Interpret, negotiate, and influence regulatory requirements, including means of compliance for initial certification and changes.
• Represent the organisation on external airworthiness committees and regulatory forums.
• Provide independent oversight of product safety and airworthiness compliance.
• Review and accept certification, service, and safety documentation, extracting key evidence to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Identify and escalate any airworthiness concerns, ensuring timely corrective actions.
• Contribute to accident/incident investigations where required.
• Support certification and continued airworthiness activities across projects.
• Review new designs, modifications, and repair instructions to ensure compliance.
• Guide teams on certification approvals, compliance reporting, and regulatory expectations.
• Approve certain documents under privileges granted by the regulator.
• Support the development and implementation of airworthiness policies and the Safety Management System.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert for product safety processes.
• Provide training and guidance to internal teams on regulatory and safety requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety outcomes and influence regulatory evolution.

What We're Looking For:

• Strong knowledge of airworthiness regulations and certification processes.
• Experience working with international regulatory authorities (e.g. EASA).
• Broad understanding of aerospace products and in-service operations.
• Critical thinker with strong analytical capability-able to review comprehensive technical documents and identify key risks and insights.
• Independent and resilient-comfortable operating as a stand-alone specialist and challenging stakeholders when required.
• Confident communicator-able to influence senior stakeholders and regulators.
• Sound judgement with the ability to balance safety, cost, and delivery considerations.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• Professionally accredited (e.g. Chartered Engineer or working towards).
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. Royal Aeronautical Society) is desirable.

Our People are our power, so when you join Rolls-Royce you are offered more than a salary. You are given a choice of flexible benefits from life insurance to gym discounts and tax free cycling. Generous Annual Leave. Retirement Savings through the Rolls-Royce Retirement Savings Trust. Group Life Assurance provides for a lump sum benefit if you die whilst employed by Rolls-Royce. Group Income Protection provides an income in the event that you are unable to work due to illness or injury. Your Shares: Matched is a simple way to own Rolls-Royce shares and invest in our future, together. Buy one share, get one free! Digital GP provides a convenient way for you to access GP consultations. Employee Assistance (EAP) and Live Well programmes.

Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.

Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.

Closing Date: 21st May 2026.

As part of our selection process, candidates in certain locations may be asked to complete an online assessment, which can include cognitive and behavioural aptitude testing relevant to the role. If required, full instructions for the next steps will be provided.