Chief of Airworthiness US

Job Title:  Chief of Airworthiness, US

Working Pattern: Hybrid/Onsite, In office 3 days/week

Working location: Indianapolis, IN

Relocation is available for this role if appropriate

Why Rolls-Royce?

At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere.

By joining Rolls-Royce, you’ll have the opportunity to create world-class power and propulsion solutions, pushing your problem-solving and ingenuity, to deliver real impact that puts safety first.

You’ll be given responsibility and the opportunity to grow in our high-performance culture. This is Infinite Potential. And it’s your chance to really shine and contribute to one of the world’s most recognized brands and a beacon for engineering excellence.

Position Summary:

• Ensure Product Safety Assurance within Rolls-Royce for defined business products by:
• Maintaining the interface with Airworthiness Authorities on behalf of the defined business to best manage the approval of design data, to understand existing regulations and to assist in developing regulation changes
• Manage the interface with defined business Projects and supporting teams to aid the understanding and response to airworthiness regulations and requirements
• Providing an independent overview of safety management as it impacts the defined business Products by various means including review of certification documents, service documents and procedures
• Provide regulatory and product safety information and training to defined business personnel and supporting teams
• Assist in the development and management of Rolls-Royce processes and guidance, particularly where key to the Rolls-Royce Safety Management System
• Support the Manage Product Safety processes, including being a member of the Process Council, and a member of the defined business Product Safety Review Board
• Manage the local Airworthiness staff who are supporting the defined business, ensuring work is effectively managed and prioritized to meet the defined business project needs, and that there is a continuous improvement culture

What you will be doing:

• Maintain good relations with all Airworthiness Authorities on behalf of the defined business. Manage the Airworthiness team to negotiate the applicable regulations and the methods of compliance to be used for any certification, validation or major modification for the defined business products.
• Develop new certification strategies, propose areas where changes to the regulations could improve safety and reduce costs and advise the Head of Airworthiness on the likely impact of new or proposed regulations.
• Responsible for implementing the Airworthiness policies and practices agreed by the relevant Safety Boards and provide advice as part of the formulation of those policies and practices for defined business products.
• Ensure that the Head of Airworthiness is fully aware of any situation affecting the airworthiness of any defined business product especially where there could be repercussions in other areas of the Company or in the relationship between the Company, its customers and the Airworthiness Authorities.
• Provide advice and support to the relevant project Chief Engineers and other senior officials:
  • In relation to approvals for flight, certification and continued airworthiness on defined business products
  • To ensure that the business is awarded the relevant engine approval to which it is entitled on satisfactory completion of all certification tasks
  • On engine and installation certification approvals and practices
  • In the preparation, vetting and approval of all certification compliance reports for the relevant projects
  • On the interpretation and implementation of the Rolls-Royce Safety Management System

• Ensure that any deficiency in airworthiness standard is notified to the responsible Project Management, to monitor corrective action and to direct the appropriate negotiations with the Authorities.
• Advise Company Legal and Insurance personnel on all airworthiness matters to minimize the impact of litigation and to participate in any accident/incident investigation ensuring continued compliance with the applicable airworthiness requirements.
• Be a member of the defined business Product Safety Review Board and provide the Secretary to that board.
• Responsible for the line management of allocated Airworthiness Engineers.
• Represent Rolls-Royce on relevant external airworthiness committees.
• Assist the defined business' Projects in discussion with the airframe manufacturer to establish the installation approval requirements and documentation.
• Work with the defined business to maintain formal Design Organization approval where relevant to the business.
• Provide advice on regulatory matters related to design approvals, whether on engine or aircraft and associated with organizations or products, and on the interfaces between Design, Production and Maintenance approvals.
• Provide training to the defined business on design regulatory matters.
• As part of the Global Airworthiness capability Management team, and in conjunction with the Product Safety Assurance team, continuously improve the Rolls-Royce Safety Management System and its implementation within the businesses. Aerospace.
• Deputize for the Head of Airworthiness as required.

Basic Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with 8+ years of experience OR
• A master’s Degree in Engineering with 6+ years of experience OR
• A JD/Ph.D. with 3+ years of experience
• In order for you to be considered for this role you must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance, which requires U.S. Citizenship.

Preferred:

• Experience working with international regulating authorities.
• Experience in customer support activities and working with airframers.
• Wide ranging knowledge of product and operation of product in service.
• Knowledge of airworthiness regulations.
• Supervisory experience.
• Required technical competencies will be those under the specific capability that the individual is a Technical Function Manager in and will be at a minimum level of 3. These required competencies will be determined as appropriate with the supervising manager.

Our vision is to ensure that the quality and dynamism that shaped our history continues into our future. It’s a bold pursuit, and we never stop striving to go further, faster, and better. We lead progress, creating the technologies that move us forward. If you’re driven to grow, to learn, and to make a lasting difference, this is where you belong.

Rolls-Royce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected

characteristics. 

Infinite Potential

Closing date:  September 9, 2026

Group Engineering (Product Safety)31 Aug 2026; 00:08

Pay Range

Pay ranges for remote employees are based on the state where the employee resides and may vary from the posted range.

$156,274 - $253,946-AnnuallyIndianapolis, IN

Benefits

Rolls-Royce provides a comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package that includes base pay and a discretionary bonus plan. Eligible employees may have the opportunity to enroll in other benefits, including health, dental, vision, disability, life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance; a flexible spending account; a health savings account; a 401(k) retirement savings plan with a company match; Employee Assistance Program; Paid Time Off; certain paid holidays; paid parental and family care leave; tuition reimbursement; and a long-term incentive plan. The options available to an employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as date of hire, employment type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.