A career at Horizon is for people who want hard problems and a clear purpose. We are building a hybrid-electric eVTOL aircraft, and we are taking our design from demonstrator to certified aircraft. Few engineers get to say they helped bring a new kind of aircraft into the world. Here, you will.
We are growing, and growth brings structure: clear processes, defined roles and room to specialise. We keep the hands-on approach and the pace of a small team. You will own real work, see your decisions take shape on the aircraft, and work beside the people who make them.
What we do here is hard. We support each other through the tough stretches, and we hold each other to a high standard. The work you do now will shape how people travel for decades. If you want your career to count for something, and to leave work behind you are proud of, you will fit here.
What we need you to bring. Horizon is seeking an open, enthusiastic, experienced Senior Engineer – Airworthiness & Certification. Your role will drive day-to-day certification and compliance work for the Cavorite X7 hybrid-electric eVTOL. Reporting to the Head of the Office of Airworthiness, you will lead assigned compliance areas from planning through regulator acceptance, act as a key technical contact with Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), and guide engineers across the program on how to show compliance. You will help build the processes that keep the aircraft airworthy in service and support regulatory validation.
Your Day- To-Day Certification Program Support
Deliver assigned certification work packages within the type certification programme set by the Head of the Office of Airworthiness
Support technical engagement with Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), and contribute to FAA validation activities under the powered-lift framework
Prepare technical content for certification meetings, issue papers and familiarisation briefings
Draft Certification Basis inputs, including proposed Special Conditions, Equivalent Safety Findings and exemption requests, for review and approval
Track powered-lift and VTOL rulemaking and assess its technical impact on assigned systems
Support gap analysis for future validation with EASA (SC-VTOL), ANAC, UK CAA and CASA
Compliance Planning & Delivery
Develop and maintain sections of the Certification Plan, Compliance Checklist and Means of Compliance (MoC) matrix for assigned systems
Propose compliance approaches for novel features such as hybrid-electric propulsion, high-voltage systems, batteries, distributed lift and transition flight
Coordinate compliance demonstration activities across analysis, ground test, lab test, simulation and flight test
Write and review compliance reports, test plans and test reports before submission
Maintain traceability from regulatory requirements through design requirements, verification and compliance evidence
Track compliance status and raise certification risks early
Safety & Design Assurance
Support safety assessments (FHA, PSSA, SSA, FTA, FMEA) in line with ARP4761
Support development assurance alignment with ARP4754A, DO-178C and DO-254
Represent airworthiness in design reviews so requirements are built in early
Identify certification risks on assigned systems and propose mitigations
Process & Procedures
Write and maintain airworthiness procedures and standards supporting Horizon’s path toward a TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO)
Apply configuration management and change classification (major/minor) processes
Work with Quality on conformity inspections and production approval readiness
Contribute to continued airworthiness processes and Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA)
Mentor junior engineers on certification practice and regulatory requirements
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Act as a certification point of contact for engineering, flight test, flight sciences, manufacturing and quality teams
Flag conflicts between engineering schedules and certification milestones
Provide certification status updates to the Head of the Office of Airworthiness
As we’re a small team, there is significant scope for you to advance your career and learn about adjacent disciplines.
Qualifications
Engineering degree or equivalent
5+ years aerospace industry experience in design and development, with hands‑on involvement in airworthiness and certification activities
Competent understanding of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)
Competent understanding of FAA or EASA regulations
Experience conducting validations with a foreign civil aviation authority
Experience writing procedures and/or standards
Experience working with TCCA or an equivalent civil aviation authority
Programme management skills, including planning and tracking certification deliverables
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Preferred
Knowledge of TCCA and FAA powered-lift regulations and policy
Exposure to EASA, ANAC, UK CAA or CASA requirements
Experience with hybrid-electric or electric propulsion, high-voltage systems or battery certification
Experience within a DAO, DOA or ODA environment
About Your Future Team. You will join a team of engineers who solve problems no one has solved before. Many of them work across disciplines, and all of them care about getting this aircraft certified and flying. The culture is open and honest. People say what they think, ask for help early, and back each other up. We work hard, we enjoy the work, and we put family first. Your life outside Horizon matters, and we plan the work with that in mind.
Our Benefits.
No Holiday Cap
Hybrid Work Options
Company Paid Group Benefits Plan
Company Stock Matching Program
Health Spending Account
Equity Awards
This is an incredible opportunity to be at the forefront of a ground-breaking industry and work with a dynamic and innovative team. We offer a competitive salary, and the opportunity to work on some of the most exciting aerospace projects of our time.
Location. This position will be located in our Ottawa, Ontario office. Our team is onsite, as a group, a minimum of two days per week. We offer relocation allowances in appropriate cases.
Not Quite Your Profile? We would love for you to apply even if you have not met all the experience listed in this advert. We understand everyone’s career is unique and we welcome opportunities to broaden our knowledge in an open, diverse and inclusive way.
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Senior Engineer – Airworthiness & Certification employer: Horizon Aircraft
Join a pioneering aerospace company that values innovation and excellence in the development of mission-critical software for next-generation eVTOL aircraft. With a strong commitment to employee growth, competitive salaries, and a hybrid work model, this organization fosters a collaborative work culture where your expertise will directly contribute to shaping the future of aviation. Located in Ontario, you'll enjoy the unique advantage of working in a dynamic industry while being part of a team that prioritizes compliance with aerospace standards and encourages creative problem-solving.
