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Faa Designated Engineering Representative Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc.

FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) certification highly desirable with a strong understanding of FAA regulations as they apply to Airworthiness Certification for Commercial and Military ...

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How much do faa designated engineering representative jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for faa designated engineering representative in the United States is $17.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a FAA Designated Engineering Representative?

A FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) is an individual authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to act on its behalf in approving or recommending approval of technical data and engineering information for aircraft certification. DERs are typically industry professionals with significant experience in aerospace engineering who work for private companies but are granted authority to review and approve engineering documents, test results, and compliance data. Their role is critical in ensuring that aircraft and related products meet stringent FAA safety and regulatory standards. DERs may specialize in areas such as structures, systems, propulsion, or avionics.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a FAA Designated Engineering Representative?

To thrive as a FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER), you need deep expertise in aerospace engineering, a thorough understanding of FAA regulations, and often a bachelor's degree or higher in engineering along with significant industry experience. Familiarity with certification software, engineering analysis tools (like CAD and FEA), and completion of FAA training and approval processes are typically required. Exceptional attention to detail, strong communication skills, and high ethical standards set top performers apart in this role. These competencies ensure aircraft designs meet stringent safety and regulatory standards, maintaining public safety and regulatory compliance.

What are some common challenges faced by FAA Designated Engineering Representatives when working with regulatory compliance and certification projects?

FAA Designated Engineering Representatives often encounter challenges such as interpreting complex and evolving regulations, balancing certification requirements with project timelines, and resolving discrepancies between applicants and FAA policies. DERs must stay updated on regulatory changes and effectively communicate requirements to both internal teams and external stakeholders. Additionally, they frequently collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, which requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills to ensure successful certification outcomes.

What is the difference between Faa Designated Engineering Representative vs Faa Designated Airworthiness Representative?

AspectFaa Designated Engineering RepresentativeFaa Designated Airworthiness Representative
CredentialsEngineering degree, FAA certificationAircraft maintenance or repair certification, FAA certification
Work EnvironmentDesign and engineering review, technical assessmentsInspection, certification, and approval of aircraft or parts
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturers, engineering firms, FAAMaintenance organizations, repair stations, FAA

The main difference is that Faa Designated Engineering Representatives focus on engineering design and technical evaluations, while Faa Designated Airworthiness Representatives handle aircraft inspections and certification. Both roles require FAA certification but serve different functions within the aviation industry.

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Faa Designated Engineering Representative jobs near you
Infographic showing various Faa Designated Engineering Representative job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,257 per year, or $17.9 per hour.

Senior Commercial Aircraft Airworthiness Engineer

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc.

On-site

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

MTSI is seeking a Senior Commercial Aircraft Airworthiness Engineer at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The ideal candidate(s) will have a working knowledge and experience with Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) and Airworthiness Directives (ADs), Alternate Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) for AD's. as well as development of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) data packages. The candidate will have significant experience with MIL-HDBK 516 in support of the airworthiness process in the acquisition of a military aircraft from modifications design, subsystem design and development, test, and verification and validation of platform systems and subsystems. Candidate will provide engineering assessments, work with aircraft manufacturer and government program office chief engineer, program manager and functional leads as part of an integrated product team. There is a requirement for both full and part time (Est 20 hrs/week). Positions requires 100 percent in-person work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base with options to flex schedule.
Responsibilities:
Essential Job Responsibilities:
  • Working knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) and Airworthiness Directives (ADs), Alternate Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) for AD's. as well as development of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) data packages.
  • Working level experience with MIL-HDBK 516 Section 6: Flight Technology, Section 7: Propulsion, Section 8: Air Vehicle Subsystems, Section 10: Diagnostics Systems, Section 11: Avionics, Section 13: Electromagnetic Environmental Effects, and Section 15: Computer Resources
  • Assist in performing technological/trade-off assessments of proposed designs/modifications as well as translating user requirements into system requirements, which will be used to design, develop, fabricate, test and evaluate systems, subsystems.
  • Assist in providing support to produce or review products that include the following: technical evaluations/plans; engineering studies, reports, and analyses; and acquisition strategies/plans such as: System Specification; RFPs; Test Plans, Test Procedures, Test Acceptance Procedures (ATPs); and Spectrum Supportability Determinations.
  • Support as necessary project team meetings, working groups, and reviews as needed, such as: SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, TCM, TIM, FCA, PCA, PMR, and other meetings/working groups/reviews as applicable.
  • Support systems analyses to include, but not be limited to, aircraft system design/design feasibility and state-of-the-art assessment and developing systems/subsystem specifications and provide technical advice on the path forward to installation of the new hardware or system.
  • Support and assist performance effectiveness, cost effectiveness, cost performance, life-cycle cost, producibility, maintainability, supportability, reliability, technical and schedule risk assessments, and scheduling trade-off studies.

Qualifications
  • A minimum of 10 years of experience in the field of aviation airworthiness, with specific expertise in FAA and Military airworthiness criteria. Experience with commercial derivative aircraft is necessary.
  • Experience in design, integration and troubleshooting of commercial Aircraft Systems.
  • Working knowledge in the area of System displays, data buses (MIL-STD-1553B and ARINC-429), test planning and conduct, sustainment and operations covering airborne vehicles' avionics and mechanical subsystems and FAA and Air Force airworthiness/certification process and procedures.
  • Working knowledge of technical documents, determining sufficiency for demonstrating compliance with specifications and airworthiness means of compliance, summarizing findings, recommended changes, and communicating all results to program offices
  • Performed engineering evaluation of prime and subcontractor recommendations for operational and support issues including but not limited to evaluations of Engineering Change Notices, Engineering Change Proposals, Contract Change Proposal, FAA bulletins, modification proposals, program risk, and related documents.
  • Relevant certifications and credentials in aviation airworthiness, such as FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) or Military Airworthiness Certification.
  • In-depth knowledge commercial derivative aircraft and related FAA and Military airworthiness regulations, standards, and certification processes.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information to diverse audiences.

Highly Desired Requirements:
  • FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) certification highly desirable with a strong understanding of FAA regulations as they apply to Airworthiness Certification for Commercial and Military Commercial Derivative Aircraft (MCDA)
  • Experience with military Air Worthiness in accordance with FAA Order 8110.101A, AFPD 62-6 USAF Airworthiness requirements and MIL-HDBK-516C Airworthiness Certification Criteria.

Education:
  • 15 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field
  • Or 13 years relevant experience with Masters in related field
  • Or 10 years relevant experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate in related field

Certifications Requirements:
  • Highly Desired FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) certification.

Clearance Requirements:
  • DoD Secret with ability to obtain a Top Secret

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