Description

£55,000 - 65,000 GBP

Hybrid WORKING

Location: Bristol, South West - United Kingdom Type: Permanent

Airworthiness Group Leader
Location: Bristol
Salary: 55,000 - 65,000 depending on experience, plus bonus and benefits

A key player in the UK defence sector is expanding its Airworthiness and Product Integrity function and is seeking an experienced Airworthiness Group Leader to help steer certification and flight safety across a range of advanced aircraft programmes. This role offers the chance to influence both current and next-generation aerospace platforms central to national defence, while developing your expertise within a highly technical, collaborative environment.

The role

As an Airworthiness Group Leader, you'll be at the centre of assuring aircraft safety and compliance, overseeing both the initial and continued airworthiness of complex defence platforms. Working closely with engineering, regulatory and operational teams, you'll ensure aircraft systems meet all applicable standards from certification through service, guiding the safe sustainment of vital air assets.

What you will be doing

• Defining certification bases and leading programmes to achieve compliance with UK airworthiness requirements.
• Liaising with government regulators and certification authorities (CAA, MAA, DE&S).
• Reviewing qualification evidence and assurance activities for flight safety and type compliance.
• Analysing flight safety data and identifying trends to prevent recurrence of defects or failures.
• Coordinating fault investigations, technical instructions, and safety reviews to sustain airworthiness.
• Supporting aircraft incident or accident investigations and driving continuous safety improvement.

What we are looking for

• Experience working on civil or military aircraft programmes with strong understanding of system design and integration.
• Knowledge of UK military and/or civil airworthiness regulations (e.g., DS05-123, DS00-970, CS-23).
• Hands-on experience in aircraft certification and qualification processes, including aircraft-level limitations.
• Familiarity with safety analysis practices such as Fault Tree or Functional Failure Analysis.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to coordinate across multidisciplinary teams.
• Awareness of emerging UAV regulatory frameworks and safety standards would be an advantage.

What's on offer

• Competitive salary starting from £55,000 depending on experience.
• Comprehensive pension package and annual performance bonus.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Private healthcare, wellbeing benefits and lifestyle perks.
• Opportunities for career development within a leading defence organisation.

Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be British Citizens and eligible for UK security clearance.

Want to hear more? Message me anytime - Ciaran Cleland.