Aviation is a global industry which is undergoing a profound transformation driven by technological advances, heightened international competition and digitalisation as well as the demands and opportunities of environmental protection needs.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is a dedicated, specialised agency created to deliver the EU’s ambition of ensuring that European citizens enjoy the highest common level of aviation safety and environmental protection. EASA has specific regulatory responsibilities and executive tasks in the area of aviation safety and delivers certification services to the aviation industry.
Flight Test Pilots work within the EASA Certification Directorate, which is responsible for initial airworthiness certification and continuing airworthiness oversight of aircraft, as well as for the approval of their Operational Suitability Data (OSD). Our Flight Test Pilots are trained and qualified to fly newly designed or significantly modified aircraft. They work in teams with other experts (e.g. Test Engineers, Human Factors/ Systems/ Mechanics Experts) and gather data during flight activity with the intent to confirm and establish the aircraft performance, its handling qualities characteristics, its systems usability and their integration.
We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity and non-discrimination. To further enhance the diversity of its workforce, the Agency particularly encourages applications from female candidates.
Your accountabilities
- As Flight Test Pilot- Fixed or Rotary Wing, you will provide technical expertise and advice to Project Certification Managers and Certification Teams in dealing with the day-to-day regulatory activities for projects being conducted by the Agency.
- You will in particular verify the demonstrations provided by applicants for compliance with applicable airworthiness and operational requirements in the domain of fixed or rotary wing flight characteristics, under the coordination of the Project Certification Manager and in cooperation with experts of other disciplines.
- Your main responsabilities will be to:
- Contribute to the approval of new type designs, repairs, changes, service instructions and STCs on relevant products;
- Support the investigation of relevant in service defects and insuring all necessary actions are taken to maintain safety standards;
- Participate in the development of interpretations of existing requirements, where necessary, to cover new technologies, novel applications of existing technology, and novel proposals for compliance demonstration (*);
- Provide advice in the development of new airworthiness requirements, including relevant parts of Aircraft Certification Specifications and advisory and guidance material in co-operation with the team in charge of the development of regulatory material;
- Provide advice for policy and requirements development and interpretation in the flight and Human Factors (HF) disciplines;
- Provide assistance and expert advice within the Agency (i.e. Operational Suitability Data (OSD) activities, organisation approvals, accreditation activities, standardisation and training, safety recommendations)*;
- Provide assistance and expert advice outside the Agency (i.e. industry, academic organisations and governments);
- Ensure technical coordination and training for less experienced experts in the flight and HF disciplines;
- Represent the Agency externally when mandated to do so.
- (*)As necessary, in coordination with the Chief/Senior Experts and/or the Initial Airworthiness Specifications Section.
Your Skills and Competencies
- Are you interested to contribute to our mission? Then make sure you meet the eligibility criteria listed in the Annex and see below what it takes to accomplish the role.
Essential criteria:
- A minimum of 10 years in flight of which at least 4 years shall be acquired in flight test on fixed wing OR rotory wing aircraft;
- Flight test pilot certificate or diploma from a professional flight test training institution (e.g. EPNER/CEV, ETPS, Edwards, Patuxent River), and/or extensive professional experience of flying as handling pilot during certification flight testing;
- Valid Commercial Pilot Licence (or higher) and valid Instrument Rating and Category 1 Flight Test Rating (fixed wing or rotorcraft);
- Extensive experience of certification processes related to flight aspects, gained in Industry or when working for a National Aviation Authority or Military Flight Test Centre and adequate knowledge of related regulations and requirements;
- Very good command of both written and spoken English1.
Advantageous criteria:
- Experience as Flight Test Pilot acquired in more than one environment, for example: working in the industry or a Military Flight Test Centre and in a National Aviation Authority (NAA) or a European Qualified Entity;
- Knowledge of regulations, requirements and related material in the field of avionics and Aircraft Operations;
- Experience in human factors domain;
- Experience in delivering training;
- Experience gained in commercial air transport, general or corporate aviation.
Behavioural competencies:
- Safety Awareness: Ability to identify, assess, mitigate or prevent and monitor risks;
- Critical thinking: Ability to evaluate information with accuracy and objectivity. Use and synthesise data from a variety of sources appropriately, and to apply this according to different requirements;
- Problem solving: Anticipate, investigate and analyse issues in a structured, accurate and objective way. Generate, evaluate and propose justified conclusions based on a variety of data and after thorough analysis of all pros and cons;
- Communication: Ability to articulate and express information, both written and oral, in particular able to write clear and concise reports;
- Stakeholder focus: Ability to engage with appropriate internal and external stakeholders and to prioritise stakeholder interests in order to improve processes and achieve goals;
- Credibility: Ability to build up confidence and trust through expert up-to-date knowledge and high quality work results;
- Quality Orientation: Commitment to ensure high standard of delivery in terms of reliability, accuracy and consistency.
What we offer
- The EASA environment
- Opportunity to contribute to the European Union’s ambitions and the development of European Aviation Safety in particular;
- Dynamic multinational work environment, building on staff diversity and competencies as a core asset; and
- Modern Human Resources management environment and access to a variety of multicultural education facilities.
Contract and Benefits
- Contract on a full-time basis (40 hrs/ week) of 5 years, as a Temporary Agent of the European Union with the possibility of extension (grade AD 10);
- Minimum basic gross salary of 9.054 EUR;
- Salary exempted from national tax on revenue in the EU, but subject to taxation at source for the benefit of the EU budget;
- Additional specific allowances (e.g. expatriation, household, dependent child, installation) depending on the individual’s family situation and the place of origin;
- Flexible work arrangements (such as part-time work, flexible working hours, teleworking);
- Annual and specific leave entitlements;
- EU Joint Sickness and Unemployment Insurance Scheme; and
- EU Civil Service Pension rights after 10 years of service.
Life in Cologne, Germany
Life in the vibrant and multicultural city of Cologne, fourth largest city in Germany, with easy access to other European hubs thanks to its excellent transport connections.
