Airworthiness Expert - UAS/UAV

Corsair Technical Services (http://www.corsairtechnicalservices.com/) is a veteran-owned small business providing government and industry customers with quality, high-fidelity training systems, supportability engineering, and logistics services, as well as business capture and proposal support services.

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced Airworthiness Expert with strong knowledge of DO‑178C and software assurance for UAS/UAV systems. This role leads the planning, execution, and delivery of software certification evidence for autonomous and remotely piloted aircraft. You will develop the compliance strategy, create all required DO‑178C planning artifacts, ensure SOI readiness, and coordinate directly with authorities (FAA/EASA/Transport Canada) or ODA/DER representatives under the applicable certification basis (e.g., Part 21.17(b), Part 23/27, UAS type certification projects, or EASA SC‑UAS). T

This is a remote role and will report to the Director of Airworthiness/Head of Engineering. There may be occasional travel required. 

Key Responsibilities

Certification Strategy & Planning

• Develop the UAV‑specific software certification strategy, integrating system safety (FHA, PSSA/SSA) with autonomy, C2 links, DAA, and mission‑critical software.
• Author and maintain DO‑178C planning documents: PSAC, SDP, SVP, SCMP, SQAP, and internal standards/checklists.
• Define DAL assignments driven by UAS hazards (e.g., loss of link/GPS, geofencing, flight termination, navigation/autonomy).

• Build the SOI roadmap with clear compliance milestones for airborne software.

Execution & Governance

• Lead the full DO‑178C lifecycle: requirements → design → code → integration → verification → objective evidence.
• Ensure complete bidirectional traceability (system/software architecture, autonomy, flight‑critical logic, sensor/data fusion, tests).
• Oversee coverage (statement/decision/MC/DC for DAL A/B) and completeness of test results; drive closure of findings.
• Manage problem reports, change control, and regression impacts across flight software, C2/UTM interfaces, and ground control.
• Conduct internal compliance audits and lead SOI readiness reviews.

Authority / DER / ODA Engagement

• Serve as the focal for FAA/EASA on UAV software compliance, deviations, means of compliance, and project‑specific plans.
• Prepare SOI‑1/2/3/4 packages; coordinate findings, responses, and witness testing.
• Support UAS type certification, airworthiness criteria compliance, and Part 21 submittals.

Cross‑Domain Integration

• Collaborate with systems engineering on autonomy, flight controls, navigation, DAA, and propulsion/energy systems.
• Align software assurance with ARP4754A (systems), ARP4761 (safety), DO‑160 (environmental), DO‑254 (hardware), and DO‑326A/ED‑202A (cybersecurity).
• Evaluate and qualify COTS/OTS/PDS software for autonomy stacks, flight controllers, and ground stations.

Required Qualifications

• US Citizen
• Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related engineering field.
• 7–10+ years of airworthiness/avionics certification experience, including DO‑178C for flight‑critical systems.
• Hands‑on UAV/UAS development experience.
• Led at least one program through SOI‑1 to SOI‑4 (or equivalent ODA/DER‑reviewed milestones).
• Strong working knowledge of DO‑178C objectives, DAL, traceability, MC/DC, and supplements (DO‑330/331/332/333).
• Proficiency with DOORS/Jama/Polarion, LDRA/VectorCAST, and similar toolchains.
• Experience interfacing with FAA/EASA/ODA/DER.
• Must be open to minimal travel 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with FAA UAS type certification under Part 21.17(b), EASA SC‑UAS, or similar frameworks.
• Background with autonomy frameworks, mission management, and sensor fusion.
• Familiarity with C2 link integrity, BVLOS operations, and ground control station considerations.
• Knowledge of DO‑254 for UAV hardware and DO‑326A/ED‑202A for cybersecurity.
• Prior DER/ODA Unit Member or direct compliance leadership role.
• Experience tailoring agile development for DO‑178C compliance.

Salary Range: $190K to $225K