Product Compliance Specialist

Ottawa, ON | On-site

Position Overview

The Product Compliance Specialist is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing certification activities for Calian's aviation GNSS antenna products. This role will lead the certification strategy and compliance process for FAA approval of airborne GNSS antenna systems, including qualification to RTCA DO-160 and other applicable aviation standards.

Working closely with product development, systems engineering, industrialization, and core engineering teams, the product compliance specialist ensures certification requirements are incorporated throughout the product lifecycle, from initial requirements definition through testing, regulatory approval, product release, and ongoing compliance management. The position serves as the primary interface with certification authorities, designated engineering representatives (DERs), test laboratories, customers, and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• The Product Compliance Specialist leads all activities required to obtain and maintain aviation certification approvals while ensuring efficient execution of certification programs.
• Certification Strategy and Planning
• Develop certification roadmaps for airborne GNSS antenna and navigation products.
• Establish certification plans, schedules, budgets, and resource requirements.
• Identify applicable regulations, standards, and guidance documents.
• Define certification basis and compliance strategies for new aviation products.
• Ensure certification requirements are integrated into product development programs from project inception.

Regulatory Compliance Management

• Lead compliance activities for FAA, Transport Canada, EASA, and other regulatory authorities as required.
• Manage qualification programs to RTCA DO-160 and other relevant aviation standards.
• Coordinate certification reviews, audits, and regulatory interactions.
• Maintain certification records, compliance matrices, and technical documentation.
• Monitor regulatory changes and assess impacts on existing and future products.
• Test and Certification Execution
• Plan and oversee environmental, electromagnetic, mechanical, and performance qualification testing.
• Coordinate internal engineering teams and external accredited test laboratories.
• Review test procedures, test reports, and compliance evidence packages.
• Manage certification issue resolution and corrective actions.
• Ensure traceability between requirements, verification activities, and certification artifacts.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work closely with Product Development, RF & Antenna Systems, Research & Technology, Industrialization, and Core Engineering teams.
• Provide certification guidance during product architecture, design reviews, and trade studies.
• Support risk assessments related to certification and product compliance.
• Drive resolution of technical and compliance issues affecting certification schedules.
• Customer and Business Support
• Support customer discussions involving certification and regulatory compliance.
• Assist business development and sales teams with certification-related proposals and customer requirements.
• Participate in customer audits, technical reviews, and certification presentations.
• Help develop certification strategies for customized aviation products and programs.

Continuous Improvement

• Establish and improve internal certification processes, procedures, and best practices.
• Develop certification templates, compliance documentation standards, and lessons learned databases.
• Promote compliance awareness and certification readiness across engineering organizations.
• Mentor engineering teams on aviation certification requirements and certification-by-design methodologies.
• The successful candidate combines deep aviation certification expertise with strong technical leadership and cross-functional coordination skills.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Master's degree is considered an asset.

Experience

• 6+ years of experience in aerospace certification, avionics, airborne systems, aviation product development, or related regulatory compliance environments.
• Proven experience managing FAA, Transport Canada, EASA, or equivalent certification programs.
• Experience leading qualification programs to RTCA DO-160.
• Experience working with airborne navigation, GNSS, avionics, antennas, communications, surveillance, or aerospace systems.
• Experience leading or supporting certification activities for commercial or military aerospace products.
• Experience coordinating external test laboratories, certification consultants, and regulatory authorities.

Technical Knowledge

Strong understanding of FAA certification processes and regulatory frameworks.

Working knowledge of RTCA DO-160 environmental qualification requirements.

Familiarity with standards such as

TSO processes and approvals

AC guidance material

DO-178C

DO-254

ARP4754A

ARP4761

• FAA and EASA certification procedures
• Understanding of RF systems, GNSS technology, antennas, avionics, and aircraft integration considerations.
• Familiarity with quality management systems and configuration management processes.
• Leadership and Communication
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strong ability to communicate with engineering teams, executives, customers, and certification authorities.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Strong technical writing and documentation capabilities.
• Effective presentation and negotiation skills.

Additional Requirements

Experience with antenna certification for aviation or airborne applications is considered an asset.

Experience with GNSS, avionics, airborne systems, aerospace electronics, or communications systems is considered an asset.

Compensation

$110,000-$140,000

Vacancy

• We have 1 available position.
• Job Title: Product Compliance Specialist
• Requisition Number: 2614
• Date: October 14, 2026
• Location 1: Ottawa, ON
• Remote: No
• Business Unit: Defence and Space
• Department: GNSS
• Job Type: Full-time

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