Head of Engineering - Design Organisation (m/f/d)

Shaping the Future of Aviation Engineering

_We are looking for an entrepreneurial, all-round engineering expert and strong leader with a deep understanding of aircraft systems, strong project management skills, and the instincts of a true systems integrator — a hands-on problem solver who commands the technical detail and drives complex challenges to resolution._

As Head of Engineering (m/f/d), you serve as the technical authority of our Design Organisation under EASA / UK CAA Design Approval. The position is subject to CAA authorisation (AD458) and reports directly to the Accountable Manager.

In this key role, you take overall responsibility for establishing and continuously developing our Design Assurance System and for ensuring that all design, development, certification, and flight test activities are executed in full compliance with applicable airworthiness regulations and within the scope of our approved design privileges. You don't just oversee compliance – you actively get your hands dirty solving the technical problems that stand between an idea and a certified aircraft.

You lead our Engineering, Development, and Certification functions, coordinate external Compliance Verification Engineers, and act as the technical interface to the independent Head of Airworthiness, ensuring robust oversight, clear accountability, and the highest standards of regulatory compliance. You act like an entrepreneur: you take ownership of problems end-to-end, cut through complexity, and drive pragmatic solutions rather than waiting for someone else to decide.

Responsibilities

_Regulatory and Design Assurance Responsibilities_

• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve the documented Design Assurance System — hands-on, not just on paper.
• Ensure that all design work is undertaken in accordance with the Design Assurance System, BCAR A8-21, and other applicable airworthiness regulations.
• Ensure that all design activities remain within the scope of the company's approved design privileges.
• Ensure that for all design work, compliance with the applicable type certification basis or equivalent is properly demonstrated and verified.
• Ensure that flight testing is carried out in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Sign Declarations of Compliance after satisfactory verification of compliance with applicable airworthiness requirements.
• Confirm that all design procedures specified in the Design Organisation Exposition have been followed by signing a Declaration of Compliance for each type approval, type certification, design change, or repair design.

_Organisational and Management Responsibilities_

• Lead and manage the Engineering, Development, and Certification functions of the Design Organisation, staying close to the technical detail rather than managing from a distance.
• Manage and coordinate external Compliance Verification Engineers.
• Provide technical oversight and interface to the independent Head of Airworthiness function.
• Ensure qualification, competency, and training of engineering and certification personnel.
• Coordinate and manage design, development, certification, and flight test programmes with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide strong project management across design, development, certification, and flight test programmes — planning, scheduling, and managing resources with internal and external stakeholders to keep programmes on time and on budget.
• Provide technical authority for design decisions, certification strategies, and design changes, personally stepping in when problems get stuck between departments.
• Ensure complete, controlled, and traceable design documentation for certification, production, continued airworthiness, and future investigations.
• Provide technical support to production, quality, customer support, and incident investigations where required.
• Actively identify inefficiencies and gaps in existing processes and drive their resolution with an entrepreneurial, get-it-done mindset.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, or a comparable technical qualification.
• Extensive professional experience in a regulated industrial environment; experience gained within a German company as well as senior-level experience from the automotive industry are highly desirable.
• Proven track record in leading engineering teams, driving technical decisions, and taking full accountability for results, timelines, and compliance.
• Strong and practical expertise in complex systems engineering, including electrical and avionics integration.
• Solid experience with regulatory frameworks and compliance environments (e.g. DULV BUT, BCAR Section T, UK CAA, FAA, CAAC).
• A true problem solver: someone energized rather than deterred by open, unresolved technical challenges, who finds pragmatic paths forward instead of waiting for perfect conditions.
• Hands-on, execution-focused leadership style with a high level of assertiveness and decision-making authority — someone who rolls up their sleeves rather than delegating every difficult problem.
• Ability to challenge existing structures, enforce standards, and drive implementation across interfaces (Engineering, Certification, Production, Quality).
• High level of ownership, resilience, and confidence when operating in complex, regulated, and time-critical environments.
• An intrapreneurial mindset: you treat the Design Organisation as if it were your own venture, take initiative beyond the formal job description, and are comfortable building and improving processes rather than just following them.
• English, German & Chinese: mandatory (written and spoken).

Benefits

• Dynamic working environment with the global leader in gyroplane manufacturing.
• Comprehensive onboarding and continuous training opportunities.
• Supportive and international team culture.
• Flexible working hours (flexitime) to support work–life balance.
• Corporate fitness programme (Hansefit).
• Employer contributions to the pension scheme.
• Employee discounts via our corporate benefits platform.
• Regular company events that strengthen team spirit.
• Free daily lunch at our headquarter.
• Overtime compensation and additional paid leave for special occasions.
• Unique aviation experience – including a gyrocopter sightseeing flight.

Are you ready for an exciting career in aviation? Then join AutoGyro GmbH.

We are the world market leader in the development, production and sale of gyrocopters and work with partners in more than 40 countries. Our headquarters and production facility are located at Hildesheim Airport. With state-of-the-art technologies, a high degree of vertical integration and a clear vision for sustainable aviation, we are actively shaping the future.

Since our foundation in 1999, we have grown steadily and now employ an international team of nearly 100 qualified specialists and engineers. Through our global sales network, we are consistently pursuing our goal: to bring the thrill of flying, maximum safety and the versatile applications of the Gyro to people all over the world.