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Freelance Aircraft Certification Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Qualdoc

Aircraft Certification Engineer

Newport News, VA · On-site

$60/hr

Aircraft Certification Engineer Location: Newport News, VA Job Type: Contract Starting Pay: $60.00/hour, with higher pay available based on experience Position Overview We are seeking an Aircraft ...

Qualdoc

$83 - $124/hr

Aircraft Certification Engineer Location: Newport News, VA Job Type: Contract Starting Pay: $60.00/hour; higher pay available based on experience Position Overview We are seeking an Aircraft ...

New

Qualdoc

Aircraft Certification Engineer

Newport News, VA · On-site

$83 - $124/hr

Aircraft Certification Engineer Location: Newport News, VA Job Type: Contract Starting Pay: $60.00/hour; higher pay available based on experience Position Overview We are seeking an Aircraft ...

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How much do freelance aircraft certification engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance aircraft certification engineer in the United States is $80,789.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,500.00 and $95,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Aircraft Certification Engineer vs Aircraft Certification Specialist?

AspectFreelance Aircraft Certification EngineerAircraft Certification Specialist
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications like EASA or FAAEngineering background, certifications in aircraft certification
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, remote or on-siteCorporate or consulting firms, office or fieldwork
Employer & IndustryClients in aerospace, freelance basisAirlines, manufacturers, certification bodies

Both roles require aerospace engineering credentials and knowledge of certification standards. A Freelance Aircraft Certification Engineer typically works independently on certification projects, offering flexible services, while an Aircraft Certification Specialist is usually employed by organizations or consulting firms, focusing on certification processes within a structured environment.

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Cities with the most Freelance Aircraft Certification Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Aircraft Certification Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Aircraft Certification Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Freelance Aircraft Certification Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Freelance Aircraft Certification Engineer jobs include:

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Freelance Aircraft Certification Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Aircraft Certification Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,789 per year, or $38.8 per hour.

Aircraft Certification Engineer

Qualdoc

Newport News, VA

$60/hr

Contractor

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Aircraft Certification Engineer

Location: Newport News, VA
Job Type: Contract
Starting Pay: $60.00/hour; higher pay available based on experience

Position Overview

We are seeking an Aircraft Certification Engineer to support certification and airworthiness activities for aircraft modifications, repairs, and related aerospace programs. This role develops certification strategies, coordinates compliance activities, and prepares the technical documentation needed for regulatory and customer approval.

The engineer will work across engineering, production, quality, testing, and program management while coordinating with FAA representatives, DERs, ODA organizations, military authorities, customers, and suppliers.

Responsibilities
  • Establish certification strategies, plans, and means of compliance for aircraft modifications and repairs.
  • Identify applicable FAA, military, customer, and airworthiness requirements and track compliance throughout each project.
  • Prepare and maintain compliance matrices, certification plans, engineering reports, Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA), and other certification documentation.
  • Coordinate certification activities with Mechanical, Electrical, Design, Stress, Production, Quality, and Program Management teams.
  • Support technical reviews, conformity inspections, regulatory approvals, and customer requirements.
  • Review drawings, analyses, reports, test plans, specifications, and other technical data for certification compliance.
  • Plan and coordinate ground testing, flight testing, conformity inspections, and compliance demonstrations.
  • Support aircraft fabrication, installation, troubleshooting, modification, and testing activities.
  • Participate in design reviews and advise on certification strategy, regulatory compliance, continued airworthiness, and project risks.
  • Maintain certification records under configuration control and follow applicable engineering, quality, and regulatory procedures.
  • Support continued operational safety, post-certification engineering activities, certification scheduling, process improvements, and lessons learned.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Engineering Manager.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited college or university.
  • Experience supporting aircraft certification, modifications, repairs, or aerospace product development.
  • Working knowledge of FAA regulations, STC processes, FAA Form 337 major alteration processes, and Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA).
  • Experience creating or reviewing compliance matrices, engineering reports, test plans, conformity documentation, and certification artifacts.
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings, analyses, specifications, technical documentation, regulatory guidance, military airworthiness requirements, and industry standards.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, written, verbal, and technical communication skills.
  • Ability to coordinate effectively with Engineering, Production, Quality, Program Management, customers, suppliers, FAA representatives, DERs, ODA organizations, and military authorities.
  • Ability to work in both office and aircraft hangar environments.
  • U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status.
Preferred Qualifications
  • 5+ years supporting aircraft certification, STC programs, military airworthiness, or other regulated aerospace certification programs.
  • Experience developing certification plans, means of compliance, and certification strategies.
  • Familiarity with MIL-HDBK-516C and military aircraft modification programs.
  • Experience coordinating FAA, DER, ODA, military, customer, and supplier activities involving conformity, ground testing, flight testing, and compliance demonstrations.
  • Experience with engineering reports, compliance documentation, ICA, and certification support packages.
  • Familiarity with aircraft systems, structures, avionics integration, and aircraft modification practices.
  • Experience with configuration management, engineering release processes, and AS9100 quality systems.
  • Background in continued operational safety, post-certification engineering, certification scheduling, and project risk management.
Success in This Role

Success will be measured by the accuracy and completeness of certification documentation, timely completion of assigned deliverables, effective coordination of certification activities, successful regulatory reviews and compliance demonstrations, adherence to applicable requirements, and the ability to identify and resolve certification risks.

The role also contributes to improving certification processes, engineering standards, and lessons-learned practices.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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About Qualdoc

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Strategic planning consulting services

Company size

1 - 10 Employees

Headquarters location

Charlottesville, VA, US

Year founded

2020

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