Certification Expert - Aviation Fuels

In the respective domain, ensure product safety and environmental compatibility by providing expert knowledge to influence decisions in certification and continued airworthiness, contributing to the safe integration of innovative and more sustainable technologies.

Job Overview

In the respective domain, ensure product safety and environmental compatibility by providing expert knowledge to influence decisions in certification and continued airworthiness, contributing to the safe integration of innovative and more sustainable technologies.

General Accountabilities

In the respective domain:

• Provide expert advice and contribution to complex certification for the determination of the applicable certification basis, the definition of the level of involvement by selecting compliance demonstration items and the agreement of applicants’ certification programmes.
• Verify the compliance demonstrations provided by applicants for the domain of expertise in cooperation with the certification teams and experts of other technical domains.
• Develop and contribute to the definition of interpretative material and special conditions as well as assess requests for deviations or for equivalent level of safety to address new technologies, unconventional uses, and proposals for novel compliance demonstration.
• Ensure investigation of in-service occurrences and defects in the domain of expertise and contribute to the agreement of adequate corrective actions to maintain acceptable safety standards as well as to ensure follow‑up of those actions wherever necessary.
• For the domain of expertise provide advice in the development of new airworthiness and environmental protection requirements, industrial standards, including relevant parts of EASA Certification Specifications and advisory‑ and guidance material.
• Provide inputs and support to Design Organisation Approval activities as necessary.
• Provide technical inputs to support the other Agency’s activities such as Research projects or Innovation Partnership Contracts.
• Represent the Agency externally in international working‑groups or standardisation bodies when requested to do so.

Specific Accountabilities

• Development of interpretative material to cover new technologies, new fuel types such as unleaded aviation gasolines or Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and blends of SAF, unconventional uses and proposals for novel compliance demonstration.
• Participate in the development of rules, new airworthiness, environmental or operational requirements, industrial standards (e.g. fuel specifications), including relevant parts of EASA Certification Specifications, interpretative material, special conditions or equivalent level of safety to cover new technologies, unconventional uses and proposals for novel compliance demonstration.
• Ensure fuel specification changes are appropriately assessed for safe use working with internal and external stakeholder, including Original Equipment Manufacturers and international aviation certification authorities.

Admission Criteria

The following constitute eligibility and essential criteria for the role to be admitted to the selection process. Candidates not fulfilling these criteria by the deadline for applications will be excluded from the selection process:

• Have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the European Union (at least level C1) and a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the EU to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties (at least level B2). One of the required languages shall be English*
• Be a national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
• Completed university studies of at least 4 years attested by a diploma in the aeronautical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, process engineering, automotive engineering or other relevant subjects in the scope of the profile. After obtaining the degree, at least 6 years of relevant professional experience acquired in positions corresponding to the nature of the duties of the job profile. Alternatively, completion of at least 3 years of university studies as above, followed by at least 7 years of relevant professional experience.
• Proven experience of at least 2 years of fuel qualification processes (for safe use at aircraft or engine level).
• Professional experience in at least ONE of the domains of fuel composition, fuel production, fuel blending or fuel specification development.
• Extensive experience in aviation fuel qualification, particularly alternative/ sustainable aviation fuels, including fuel specifications, property testing methods, and the development or qualification of unleaded and lead‑free Avgas alternatives.
• Strong technical knowledge of fuel properties and performance, including effects on combustion, emissions, engine and fuel system safety, implications of new additives or alternative fuels, and specifics of using automotive fuels in General Aviation aircraft.
• Broad understanding of aviation fuel standards and supply chain, including jet fuel and Avgas supply requirements, fuel quality record management, and active involvement or familiarity with industry fuel committees (e.g. ASTM, DefStan, JIG, Energy Institute).

* English oral and written skills will be assessed throughout the assessment phase. Mother tongue English speakers will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of a second EU language.

** This vacancy is open as well to Temporary Agents (2f) employed at EASA, in the grade bracket AD 7 - AD 12.

Selection Criteria

The selection process is based on the assessment of the Professional Skills and Behavioural Competences listed below. While these are considered critical to perform the role effectively, candidates who do not meet all criteria may still be considered.

Professional Skills

Experience in the field of fuel composition, production (incl. fuel blending), qualification, standardization (fuel specifications) Specifications and methods of testing different fuel properties, Sustainable Aviation Fuels, Familiarity with certification processes, techniques, methods, and specifications, Strong stakeholder and change management skills.

Behavioural Competences

Quality Orientation, Teamwork, Critical Thinking, Flexibility & Change Adaptability, Communication.

Mandatory Pre-Employment Requirements

• Are entitled to the full rights as a citizen.
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws on military service.
• Meet the character requirements for the duties involved (you will be asked to provide a police certificate confirming the absence of any criminal record).
• Are physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post (you will be asked to undergo a medical examination in a centre indicated by EASA).

Conditions of Employment

Contract: 5 years contract as Temporary Agent 2 (f) with possibility of extension.

Working hours: 40 hrs per week (on a full-time working pattern). Flexible working arrangements.

Salary: Step in grade upon recruitment based on years of work experience. Additional allowances depending on personal situation.

Location: Cologne, Germany (relocation is required).