Certification Expert

Job Overview

As a Certification Expert in the Avionics domain of expertise you contribute to aviation safety and environmental compatibility by providing technical expertise to guide and permit decisions in initial airworthiness certification, continuing airworthiness and environmental compatibility at aircraft, equipment, and engine level.

General Accountabilities

In the respective domain:

• Provide expert advice and contribution to complex certification projects 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.
• Provide advice and technical input to support safe and efficient air operations through the development of regulatory provisions and technical standards affecting required aircraft avionics systems, including the assessment of their associated design features.
• 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 Service Contracts.
• Represent the Agency externally in international working-groups or standardisation bodies when requested to do so.

Admission Criteria

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

• 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[1]
• Be a national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
• Completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma in aerospace engineering, computer science, electronic engineering, physics, or other studies in scope of the role 
• Proven professional experience of at least 2 years in the fields of design, development, modelling, certification and/or testing of aircraft avionics systems or equippment in one or more of the following areas
  • Primary Flight Sensors
  • Flight guidance systems and all weather operations
  • Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS)
  • Indicating, recording and monitoring systems
  • Avionics architecture and associated processes (integrated modular avionics, development assurance, safety assessment)
  • ETSO authorisation for avionics equipment

*This vacancy is open as well to Temporary Agents (2f) employed at EASA, in the grade bracket AD5- AD9

[1] Mother tongue English speakers will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of a second EU language. English oral and written skills will be assessed throughout the assessment phase

Selection Criteria

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

Professional Skills Avionics installations/certifications Cybersecurity Familiarity with certification processes, techniques, methods, and specifications Design, development or testing of avionics Behavioural Competences Quality Orientation Learning Agility Teamwork Critical Thinking Communication 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: Basic salary: EUR 5, ,224.44 depending on work experience. Additional allowances depending on personal situation.

Location: Cologne, Germany (relocation is required). 

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