Head of Design / Engineering Director

Our Company

Our mission at Dronamics is to develop innovative solutions for same-day middle-mile logistics and serve the world as the leading cargo drone airline. We design, build and operate long-range, high payload cargo drones that can carry up to 350 kg (550 lbs) at a distance of up to 2,500 km (1,500 mi) - up to 80% faster, 50% cheaper and with 60% less CO2 emissions vs traditional freight.

At first, it didn't sound possible, but we keep proving it is, which is why we've called it "The Black Swan". It can land on short and unpaved runways, enabling on-demand point-to-point flights and speedy same-day delivery even to the most remote locations that would otherwise take days to reach over ground or sea.

With the successful first flight of our full-scale Black Swan cargo drone, we have achieved a significant milestone. Now our focus is on scaling up and establishing operations in the first markets in Europe and beyond.

The Role

Working as part of the R&D team, the HoD / Engineering Director will be responsible for all aspects of the engineering team including:

• Perform all activities at a level of minimal supervision for the whole function and guide other engineers.
• Work with the team leads and projects team to ensure Program targets are achieved.
• All aspects of day-to-day management of the team.
• Provide technical expertise/input and validation to technical solutions and compliance documentation to multiple projects to ensure they are compliant with all relevant regulatory and airworthiness requirements.
• Identify, analyse, and resolve technical problems and provide support in applying/integrating/approving solutions.
• Check/Approve Preliminary Means of Compliance to the defined engineering requirements.
• Identify and maintain a technical risk register and propose mitigations relevant to multiple assigned program/projects.
• Check/approve test specifications/plans and/or alternate means of compliance (analysis/similarity) as required to demonstrate design solution complies with certification requirements.
• Define and monitor the best approach to design in compliance with the cost and manufacturing requirements using appropriate techniques for design such as Design for Manufacture (DFM) and design to cost.
• Define the best approach to achieve design definitions of programs, including integration, interfaces, dimensions, materials, parts, manufacturing process requirements, assemblies, and tolerances which are compliant with all design requirements and objectives.
• Review and approve as appropriate the assigned project deliverables, documents, and reports as required.
• Mentor and develop engineers within assigned program.
• Support with the creation and delivery of training material and initiatives relevant to a knowledge area.
• Verify documentation such as concessions and non-conformances, and provide technical support by implementing solutions to address non-conforming products, designs, and compliance documentation.
• Identify improvements and check and/or approve work instructions, procedures, technical manuals, and guidelines.
• Support operations and support the manufacturing engineering team in the translation of the product design and manufacturing requirements in a manufacturing design of (multiple) programs and support operations during prototype build and serial manufacturing, where applicable.
• Support the qualification process of products within multiple programs, and check and/or approve compliance documentation to internal, customer, and regulatory requirements, where applicable.

The role can be performed remotely with significant time spent in our HQ in Sofia, Bulgaria.

What We Offer

• A competitive compensation package for a startup company.
• Lots of opportunities for personal and professional growth on a global level.
• Tons of work, zero office politics - we are here to impact the lives of millions of people around the world.
• A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to frame the future of how the world moves goods.

Job Requirements

The minimum requirements to be eligible for the HoD / Engineering Director include:

• Knowledge of the relevant Certification Specification requirements.
• Extensive professional experience leading development of composite aircraft aero structures and/or aerospace systems.
• Significant time spent in the role of director and/or suitable level of technical competency.
• Experience in leading aircraft development programs.
• Able to implement changes within the engineering business area.
• Has held technical responsibility within project teams (delivery through people without direct authority).
• The ability to act as a functional/technical/integration representative in communications with regulators, sub-tier suppliers (structure, systems) and suppliers (parts, materials, sub-assemblies) in multiple projects.
• Experience in the use of Catia and the PLM modules of the 3DX tool.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in a related discipline, or equivalent experience/combined education.

Specifically, the following internal training courses should be completed:

• EASA Part 21 Basics.
• Design Organisation Handbook.
• Introduction to EASA Part 21.
• Relevant CS training (TBD).