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.
Job Summary
The Chief – Completions is a people leadership role within the Engineering organization responsible for leading the development, integration, and certification support of aircraft interior and exterior completion activities across all De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC) platforms.
Leading a team of approximately 5–10 engineering professionals, the Chief serves as the focal point for cabin configurations, aircraft refurbishment programs, customer-specific modifications, exterior paint schemes, placards and markings, and completion-related engineering activities. The role ensures aircraft completion solutions are technically sound, compliant with regulatory requirements, aligned with customer expectations, and consistent across the DHC product portfolio.
Working closely with Customer Engineering, Programs, Certification, Airworthiness, Manufacturing, Product Support, and external customers, the Chief provides technical leadership for cabin layout development, interior modifications, special mission configurations, and continuing airworthiness support related to aircraft interiors and completions.
Direct Accountabilities
Completions Engineering Leadership
- Lead the development and execution of engineering activities related to aircraft completions across all DHC platforms.
- Provide technical leadership for cabin interior configurations, refurbishment programs, and customer-specific completion projects.
- Establish engineering approaches and standards for interior and exterior completion activities.
- Support the introduction of new cabin configurations and product enhancements.
Cabin Configuration and Interior Design
- Lead the development and maintenance of aircraft cabin layouts and interior configuration definitions.
- Oversee the creation and management of:
- Layout of Passenger Accommodations (LOPAs)
- Cabin arrangement drawings
- Interior installation definitions
- Cabin equipment layouts
- Ensure cabin configurations meet regulatory, operational, customer, and certification requirements.
- Support special mission, utility, cargo, passenger, combi, and executive interior configurations as required.
Refurbishment and Modification Programs
- Lead engineering support for aircraft refurbishment, modernization, and interior upgrade programs.
- Develop engineering solutions for cabin reconfigurations and customer-requested modifications.
- Coordinate completion activities with manufacturing, supply chain, and customer support organizations.
- Support retrofit and in-service modification programs across the DHC fleet.
Placards, Markings, and Exterior Finishes
- Oversee engineering definition and approval of aircraft placards, markings, and identification schemes.
- Lead engineering activities related to exterior paint schemes, liveries, and customer branding requirements.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, operational, and customer requirements for aircraft markings and finishes.
- Maintain standards and practices governing placards, markings, and paint scheme development.
Customer Engineering Support
- Act as a key engineering interface supporting customer-specific cabin and completion requirements.
- Collaborate with Sales, Programs, Product Support, and Customer Engineering teams to develop technical solutions.
- Support customer requests for aircraft configuration changes, interior upgrades, and special mission installations.
- Participate in customer technical reviews and configuration definition activities.
Airworthiness and Certification Support
- Support certification activities associated with cabin configurations, interior modifications, and completion projects.
- Ensure compliance with applicable Transport Canada, FAA, and EASA requirements.
- Support continuing airworthiness activities related to aircraft interiors, cabin safety systems, placards, and occupant accommodations.
- Assist with technical investigations, service difficulty resolution, and regulatory inquiries as required.
Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineering professionals.
- Conduct performance reviews and manage employee development plans.
- Approve timesheets, vacation requests, and other administrative activities.
- Support recruitment, workforce planning, and succession development.
- Foster a culture of customer focus, technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Education Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
- P.Eng. designation or eligibility preferred.
Experience, Skills, and attitude
Required
- 10+ years of aerospace engineering experience.
- Previous leadership, supervisory, or technical leadership experience.
- Knowledge of aircraft certification, continuing airworthiness, and engineering change processes.
Preferred
- Experience with aircraft interiors, completions, customer engineering, certification, or cabin configuration development within an aircraft OEM environment preferred.
Success Measures
Success in this role will be demonstrated through:
- Successful delivery of cabin configuration and completion engineering projects.
- Effective support of customer-specific aircraft modifications and refurbishment programs.
- Consistent, compliant, and efficient development of LOPAs and cabin configuration definitions.
- High-quality support for certification and continuing airworthiness activities.
- Strong customer satisfaction and stakeholder engagement.
- Effective team performance, engagement, and development.
Key Competencies
- Leadership and People Development.
- Aircraft Completions and Cabin Configuration.
- Customer Engineering.
- Interior Modification and Refurbishment Programs.
- Certification and Airworthiness Compliance.
- Technical Leadership.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration.
- Project and Program Execution.
- Continuous Improvement.
- Ctomer Focus.
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.
