Senior Certification Engineer

MAKO is an aerospace technology company focused on improving the efficiency of the global aviation fleet by bringing our shark-skin-inspired drag reduction product, Flightfilm, to commercial and defense aircraft. Flightfilm can deliver up to 4% efficiency gains, reducing carbon emissions by millions of tonnes every year.

Founded and headquartered in Sydney, Australia, MAKO works with some of the largest airlines and aircraft manufacturers worldwide to deliver scalable, near-term efficiency gains for aviation that bridge the gap between today’s operating fleets and the next generation of aircraft technologies. Your Mission We are looking for a Senior Certification Engineer to lead our certification programs in Australia and around the world, and help make shark skin on planes a reality.!

This role is part of the Product Engineering team. You will report to the Product Engineering Team Lead.

What You Will Do

Lead certification for MAKO’s aircraft modifications from start to finish, from certification plans and compliance roadmaps through to approval Turn regulatory requirements into clear, practical requirements our engineering teams can design and build to Prepare and submit compliance documentation, including certification plans, test plans, reports and conformity records Be MAKO’s voice with regulators and advisors, including the FAA, EASA, CASA, military airworthiness authorities and DERs Work alongside engineering, manufacturing and quality to build certification into how MAKO works Find smarter, faster paths to approval across aircraft types and jurisdictions, so Flightfilm reaches more aircraft sooner What Success Looks Like First Month: You’ve got your head around Flightfilm, our certification strategy and existing programs, and built relationships with the teams you’ll work with most First Six Months: You own our certification programs, from planning and documentation to authority communication, and you’re already improving how we manage requirements, conformity and regulator engagement First Year: You’ve led major milestones in our STC approval, built strong relationships with regulators and industry partners, mentored junior engineers, and helped shape our certification strategy for new aircraft types and markets About You A degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Systems or Materials Engineering, or similar 5+ years in a highly technical, highly regulated field such as aerospace, medical or automotive, including 2+ years in aircraft or drone certification (STCs, TCs or major modifications ideally) Strong working knowledge of FAA 14 CFR Part 21/25 or equivalent, plus standards like DO-160 and ARP5412 Experience working directly with authorities and DERs A systems engineering mindset with solid requirements management experience You thrive in a fast-moving, ambiguous startup environment and enjoy building things that don’t exist yet Why You Should Join MAKO Problems worth solving Aviation has a burning fuel problem.

The sector burns US$261 billion worth of fuel and emits a billion tonnes of CO2 in the process, yet the necessary decarbonisation technology levers are decades away, and emissions will continue to grow. MAKO’s mission is to improve the efficiency of the global aviation fleet by delivering emissions reduction without the associated ‘green premium’.

What we offer

is comparable to new jet engines, but invisible and 100x cheaper. We will make every plane burn less fuel, fly further, faster, and carry more. MAKO is vertically integrated, meaning we design and develop our product, manufacture it, define the application methodology, and handle support. That means the work you do here goes directly into a product on a real aircraft.

Technology worth mastering Our vertically integrated structure allows us to break down silos between teams, exposing each and every MAKO team member to expertise and developments in materials science, optics, fluid dynamics, and scale manufacturing. Values worth holding The MAKO team collectively enacts our Values of ‘Lift over Drag’, ‘Active Transparency’, and ‘Change the Boundary Conditions’.

These are not corporate platitudes – at MAKO, you’ll see firsthand how our Values drive decision-making, unblock communications, and provide clarity in ambiguous situations, helping us to outperform industry incumbents many times our size.

Benefits

worth realizing We offer flexible working arrangements so you can balance your work with your life outside the office. Our Sydenham offices boast an attractive location next to public transport and within a short walk to food and dining options. Each month, the team gets together for activities and social events, which helps us stay connected as we grow.

You will also have access to our Employee Benefit Program and our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which gives you and your family free, confidential support when you need it. Application Process Apply with your CV and a short cover note. Our process includes a screening call, an interview with the hiring manager, a short take-home case study and overview session, and a final panel interview with our leadership team.

We aim to move from application to offer within four to five weeks, and we’ll keep you updated at every stage. MAKO is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from every background. Careers rarely fly a direct route, so if you're close but not a perfect match, apply and tell us why.