Design verification engineer

We are looking for an engineer to join the team at our Turweston HQ.

The role involves advising our members on the requirements for modifications, repairs and new designs, reviewing applications to ensure that they meet appropriate airworthiness requirements and sound engineering practice, and responding to technical queries. There are also opportunities to be involved in flight testing, accident investigation and liaison with the authorities.

You’d be working with an experienced team across a large fleet of almost 3,000 active aircraft. Types range from original Edwardians to the latest cutting edge technology kits, and includes types with electric powerplants and the latest electronics.

Candidates must have an engineering background, ideally with experience in the light aircraft industry, and share our enthusiasm for general aviation. We would expect candidates to have a degree in an engineering subject or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge of structural analysis and experience of demonstrating compliance with engineering regulations is highly desirable. Familiarity with light aircraft aerodynamics, structures (wood, metal, and/or composite), powerplants and avionics would also be useful.

You’ll need some IT competence, particularly with Microsoft Office, have a friendly personality and the ability to work within a small team as well as independently. Excellent communication skills and attention to detail are essential. This is a full-time post, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. It is principally based at LAA HQ, but some travel will also be required. Salary in line with experience.

Engineering Director to step down

John Ratcliffe will step down from his role as LAA Engineering Director at the end of February 2023 to pursue other roles outside of recreational aviation. John, who joined the Association in August 2021, has been successful in restructuring LAA engineering and airworthiness activities, both to accommodate the transition of some long-established senior staff to retirement and to create new structures to allow the LAA to deal with rapidly evolving aircraft technologies and regulatory frameworks.

John has played an important role in developing CAA confidence in the LAA’s role as a delegated authority for airworthiness, leading Jon Viner as Chief Technical Officer and Lucy Wootton as Chief Inspector, as they took over from Francis Donaldson and Ken Craigie. He has helped develop engineering processes to meet the changing needs of regulation, service standards and scope in all aspects of LAA engineering activity.

LAA Chairman Eryl Smith said: “John has been an important catalyst for change with the engineering function. His legacy will be a more efficient and effective engineering team for the future, which will in turn deliver enhanced services to LAA members. I wish him equal success in his next venture.”