De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (DHC) is a storied name in the aerospace industry, recognized worldwide for its pioneering contributions to aviation and its unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and reliability. Headquartered in Calgary, AB, DHC currently has approximately 2,400 employees across British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, as well as in markets and distribution hubs world-wide.
Established in 1928, De Havilland Canada has a rich history marked by the development of some of the most iconic and versatile aircraft ever built. These aircraft have served a variety of roles—from bush flying to commercial aviation—and are celebrated for their rugged durability, operational versatility, and excellence in performance.
Over the decades, De Havilland Canada has evolved to meet the changing needs of the aviation industry. Today, we are more than just an aircraft manufacturer; we are a comprehensive aerospace company with capabilities that span design, production, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. Our operations are supported by a team of skilled engineers, technicians, and industry professionals who are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of craftsmanship and innovation.
Profile
The Chief, Airworthiness DHC 7-8 is responsible for leading a team of Airworthiness Engineering personnel on the DHC 7-8 platform and ensuring the effective execution of aircraft certification, foreign validation, continuing airworthiness, and support to relevant Design Approval Organization (DAO) activities. The position is accountable for workload management, employee development, project execution, and regulatory compliance while supporting company objectives and program milestones. This position will report to the Manager, Airworthiness functionally and dotted-line reporting to the Director, Engineering DHC 7-8.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Airworthiness personnel to ensure technical competency, professional growth, and organizational effectiveness.
- Establish clear performance expectations, objectives, and priorities for team members.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer focus.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, succession planning, and talent development activities.
- Address performance issues and recognize employee achievements in accordance with company policies.
- Responsible for chairing an effective Technical ACC and CARB meetings for the DHC 7-8 platform including all associated preparation work and deliverables of ACC minutes and K-briefs.
- Ensure departmental processes, certification records, compliance documentation, trackers, databases, and technical repositories are current, appropriately controlled, and organized to support self-service access, traceability, and continuity of operations.
- Plan, prioritize, assign, and balance workload across the DHC 7-8 Airworthiness team to support business objectives and project commitments.
- Monitor resource capacity, workload distribution, and project demands to ensure efficient utilization of personnel.
- Ensure employees understand and meet commitments, schedules, deliverables, and quality expectations.
- Review team progress regularly and ensure risks, issues, and delays are identified and addressed proactively.
- Ensure weekly reporting of project status, accomplishments, upcoming activities, and key risks.
- Act as the primary liaison between the company and regulatory authorities for the DHC 7-8 platforms, ensuring effective communication, coordination, and resolution of matters related to certification, foreign validation, continuing airworthiness, service difficulty reporting, regulatory compliance, and product integrity.
- Manage Type Certification, Foreign Validation, Continuing Airworthiness, and support DAO activities as required throughout the product lifecycle of the DHC 7-8 platform and ensure alignment with company objectives, regulatory requirements, and program schedules.
- Support the development of certification plans in collaboration with technical specialists.
- Ensure timely completion of certification, validation, and continuing airworthiness deliverables.
- Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with DAO procedures, engineering processes, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Maintain oversight of certification activities, continuing airworthiness actions, and Service Difficulty Reporting (SDR) obligations.
- Ensure certification databases, trackers, action item logs, risk registers, and departmental records are maintained accurately and remain current.
- Monitor departmental metrics and key performance indicators related to certification activities, continuing airworthiness actions, regulatory reporting, and project execution.
- Drive process improvements that enhance efficiency, compliance, quality, and organizational effectiveness.
- Participate in budget preparation, resource forecasting for the DHC 7-8 platforms as required.
- Maintain awareness of regulatory developments, industry trends, and emerging best practices relevant to the DHC 7-8 platforms.
- Recommend and implement improvements to departmental processes, tools, and methodologie
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in aircraft certification, airworthiness, engineering, or related technical environments, including demonstrated leadership experience.
- Thorough knowledge of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR) 521, Change Product Rule (CPR) and associated guidance material.
- Thorough knowledge of the Canadian delegation system and AWM 505 and its associated guidance material.
- General knowledge of AWM 525, AWM 516 and associated guidance material.
- Licensed Professional Engineer or eligible for licensing.
- Demonstrated experience leading technical teams and coordinating cross-functional activities
Skills
- Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Effective decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to balance competing priorities and manage resources effectively.
- Strong understanding of aircraft certification and airworthiness processes.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Why work at De Havilland?
De Havilland Canada is a Canadian-owned and operated aircraft manufacturer dedicated to providing rewarding opportunities in a diverse and welcoming workplace.
- Work with a team that makes a true difference in the world-making it possible for people to travel around the globe efficiently, comfortably and safely.
- We’ve manufactured over 5,600 aircraft including the most advanced turboprop in the air today. Our experience and expertise in constructing the highest performing aircraft in the industry is second to none.
- Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities are dynamic workplaces led by teams that support and encourage all employees.
- With a passionate team of innovators and a global network of support, De Havilland Canada proudly carries on it’s tradition as a leader in aerospace.
In addition to plenty of opportunities for career growth in a stimulating work environment, De Havilland Canada offers:
- Competitive wages
- Paid vacation
- Extended health benefits (medical, dental, vision, paramedical)
- Life insurance
- RRSP/DPSP Plan
- Employee and family assistance program
At De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC), we are committed to protecting our people, customers, shareholders and the public through Health & Safety Excellence. As such, it is expected that all employees maintain strict adherence to Health & Safety Policies and to perform key physical tasks of the position described in the job description and interview process. This may include but is not limited to the ability to work in a variety of environmental conditions including temperature extremes, confined spaces, working at heights and with or around chemicals. Employees are expected to adhere to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when at work which must include but is not limited to the ability to maintain a positive fit test when mask use is required.
At De Havilland Canada, we aim to be inclusive and diverse and provide equal opportunity for employment. All qualified applicants, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, and disability, are encouraged to apply. De Havilland will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise your Talent Acquisition representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.
Any offer of employment is conditional on the completion of positive and satisfactory background checks, which may include, proof that you are legally entitled to work in Canada, professional references, verification of employment history, verification of educational background and criminal background checks.
