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Director, Compliance and Airworthiness Division

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Aviation Safety

Summary

The Aircraft Certification Service is a world-class organization of engineers, scientists, inspectors, test pilots, and aviation experts who lead the oversight of aircraft design, production, certification, and continued airworthiness programs supporting the safety and innovation of U.S. and international civil aviation.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/15/2026 to 05/28/2026
Salary
$153,700 - $216,400 per year

Base salary is set within the range based on qualifications and experience. Applicable locality pay will be added for a total salary up to $228,000

Pay scale & grade
EV 02
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted according to agency policy.
Travel Required
50% or less - The job may require up to 50% travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes— - Fully-Paid PCS - Permanent Change of Station - In accordance with applicable FAA Travel regulations, full relocation will be paid (actual expenses). Relocation expenses paid are subject to applicable taxes.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Senior Executive
Promotion potential
NA
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
EXE-AVS-26-2-98745
Control number
869469800

Duties

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The Director, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, is responsible for executive oversight of the issuance of all design approvals for domestic and foreign manufacturers, as well as production and original airworthiness certificates. The Director collaborates with all other AIR divisions and the Flight Standards Service to identify resolutions as safety issues may impact existing standards, policy, and delegation systems, including maintenance and operational aspects.  In the discharge of these duties and responsibilities, the Director administers a budget of approximately $115M and provides executive direction and oversight to over 600 employees, including direct supervision of two L-band managers. 

Specific responsibilities include:

  • Manages and administers all design, production, and airworthiness approvals of aircraft products and parts, including the initial evaluation, approval, and acceptance of relevant applicant processes for domestic and foreign manufacturers.
  • Leads all processes associated with the identification, evaluation, and risk management of product and parts level safety issues. In addition, this functional area includes engineering support for the Flight Standards Service with regard to field support and airworthiness needs.
  • Manages shared flight test expertise support for the divisions in certification, airworthiness, policy development and systems oversight. Oversees the safety of AIR's Flight Test Program utilizing the advice of the flight test safety officer. Authorizes participation of AIR personnel in the FAA Flight Program and serves as the primary focal point for the FAA Flight Program Executive with regard to AIR participants in the FAA Flight Program.
  • Provides executive leadership, ensuring the alignment of division resources, activities, and stakeholders with the AIR mission, as well as higher-level agency strategic objectives. The incumbent ensures the development of personnel and resources consistent with AIR's future needs and incorporates the division¿s collective knowledge and experience to overall AIR strategic planning, goal setting, and management.
  • Creates and maintains a professional network by collaborating with other FAA lines of business, other Department of Transportation modals and Federal agencies, other civil aviation authorities, and aviation industry representatives to address issues impacting aviation safety.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
  • You will be required to serve a one-year FAA Executive System (FAAES) probationary period unless you have previously completed a probationary period in either the FAAES or the Senior Executive Service (SES).
  • You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications of this position, you must clearly articulate and describe within your two (2) page resume evidence that you possess the Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs) and Mandatory Technical Requirements (TRs) related to this position. Your resume should include examples of experience and accomplishments applicable to the qualifications. Applicants who do not possess these criteria are ineligible for further consideration.

Please do not submit separate documents addressing the Technical Requirements (TRs) and Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs), only your two (2) page resume will be accepted and considered.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS (TRs):

  • TR 1: Demonstrated leadership experience directing aircraft product or parts design, production, and airworthiness activities, including the development, implementation, and interpretation of Federal aviation laws and regulations to ensure continual operational safety.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP DIMENSIONS (ELDs)

  • ELD 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This ELD requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
  • ELD 2: Driving Efficiency -This ELD involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
  • ELD 3: Merit and Competence - This ELD involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
  • ELD 4: Leading People - This ELD involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
  • ELD 5: Achieving Results - This ELD involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Note: Applicants who are current members of the FAA Executive System (FAAES), Career Senior Executive Service (SES), individuals certified through successful completion of an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or those with Career SES reinstatement eligibility are not required to address the Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs). Such applicants must provide documentation verifying eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the FAAES (e.g., SF-50, or certification from OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB).

Education

An education requirement has not been established for this occupational series.

Preview job questionnaire

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
Veterans preference does not apply to the FAA Executive System.

The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements

This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx)Designated or Random Drug Testing required.

This is not a bargaining unit position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.



Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you possess the Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs) and Mandatory Technical Requirements (TRs) listed above, your application package may be further evaluated by an Executive Rating Panel. Additionally, Hiring Managers may choose to interview highly qualified candidates via one or more interviews.

IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

Federal Aviation Administration

At the FAA, the sky is not the limit—it is just the beginning. Exciting new opportunities are emerging in aviation and aerospace. Significant investments are advancing the research and development of autonomous vehicles, environmentally friendly electric aircraft, high-speed and long-endurance solar-powered aircraft, and new types of space vehicles. Success with these new technologies and vehicle types will introduce new ways to transport people and goods expanding aviation's footprint in transportation. People are our strength. We are a diverse workforce of over 44,000 located nationwide and spanning over 120 occupations to include air traffic control specialists, aviation safety inspectors, engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals. Join us in our mission to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

Agency contact information

Executive Resources
Phone
1 (609) 485-9932
Fax
1 (202) 267-5748
Email
shara.m.demarco@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
Executive Resources Division
800 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 523
AHR-200
Washington, DC 20591
US

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http://www.faa.gov/jobs

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