You're a proven aircraft engineering professional with leadership finesse,  a passion for design/product development, and a solid knowledge of light aircraft regulations. If that describes you, this is your opportunity to join CubCrafters, a respected and innovative, US-owned manufacturer of top selling, back-country adventure aircraft. Consider a few compelling reasons to join our team:  

• This is a key role on the CubCrafters Engineering and Product Development team that will directly impact current and future aircraft designs.
• Step up opportunity.  Candidates with leadership, not necessarily management experience, will be considered for the manager role.  Those with manager experience will be considered for director level.   
• You'll take ownership of a coach/player position where you can make your mark performing core engineering design and analysis duties as well serving as a leader to the Engineering team.
• As one of the few/last American-owned aircraft OEMs that is expanding its production, we design, test, certify, manufacture, upgrade, and complete repairs all in-house. You'll impact the entirety of the aircraft rather than being siloed to one design specialty.
• We're a dynamic company with eleven building facilities on three campuses in Yakima, Washington. In 2019, we opened a new Completions Center and continue to add new technology, tooling and other advancements.
• We combine a strong close-knit culture with an entrepreneurial spirit and, while we work hard, we also value work/life balance.

Yakima offers a neighborly small-town culture, a low cost of living and stress-free commuting. It’s also a paradise for outdoor sports enthusiasts. Relocation assistance may be available to highly qualified candidates.

Founded in 1980, CubCrafters builds the world's best utility and sport adventure airplanes. Having begun as the world's leading Super Cub rebuilder and outfitter, today CubCrafters manufactures its own designs. We are currently the only aircraft manufacturer in the nation to produce aircraft in three different categories: certified, LSA, and experimental, all within a FAA-approved quality assurance program. Though CubCrafters' roots are in the 80-year history of classic "tail dragger" aviation its products and services are clearly recognized in the industry as leading edge with many industry firsts including several new models recently announced.

Pictured: Carbon Cub SS, Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) featuring a CC340 180 HP engine, with a gross weight of 1320 pounds. The Carbon Cub SS is lightweight, powerful and delivers breathtaking performance.

To be a strong fit for the Engineering Manager opportunity, you will have:

• A bachelor's degree in Engineering, preferably aerospace or mechanical engineering.  Quick question for you - click here
• Minimum of 5 to 10 years of engineering experience, including experience with light aircraft.
• Experience effectively managing a team of professionals.  Quick question for you - click here
• Knowledge and direct experience with design and certification of general aviation aircraft, and all related aspects. CubCrafters designs and builds steel, aluminum, and composites structures.
• Familiarity with FAA Part 23, Part 21, and ASTM standards and regulations.
• Project management experience with TC or STC programs.
• Competent to prepare, review, and approve engineering drawings and reports with a level of expertise necessary for success.
• CAD experience, ideally SolidWorks.
• Strong analytic, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing aircraft design & certification programs. Certification as a Designated Engineering Representative (DER) is a plus.
• Driven team player with high energy. 

Note: Compensation is commensurate with experience. You'll also enjoy an excellent set of paid benefits.

Reporting to the President, who also serves as the CTO, you will manage a team of 12-15 in-house and contract engineers. You'll have the satisfaction of being involved in the entirety of aircraft development and manufacturing processes, serving as a significant contributor. CubCrafters is a company sized to be flexible and agile enough to be great in its industry segment. For example:

• At CubCrafters each member of our Engineering and Product Development Department is involved with:
  • Conceptual design
  • Structural, systems, and flight testing (have a dedicated R&D test lab and flight test facilities)
  • Detail design
  • FAA & EASA certification of primary Type Certificates (TC) and Supplemental Type Certificates (STC)
  • Product support engineering
  • Manufacturing engineering
• Several active FAA certification projects are in-process

You will split your time between leadership and hands-on engineering work as you manage the day-to-day engineering demands including sustainability and new designs. Some of your specific responsibilities will include:

• Coordination and oversight of production support and new design engineering for aircraft designs, drafting, prototyping, static and flight testing, certification, and various aircraft component projects.
• Participating in the R&D of new concepts and continual product improvements, final development and production incorporation of new products deemed viable by company leadership.
• Supporting and defining best methods to resolve important issues as they pertain to the production environment.
• Maintaining an ongoing awareness of the regulatory environment, both ASTM and Part 23/21, seeing that CubCrafters is compliant and responsive.  Quick question for you - click here
• Serving as a point of contact for FAA projects, for company type and production certificate (TC/PC) coordination.
• Providing PC support, holding responsibilities for compliance with the FAA Memorandum of Agreement and the requirements therein. Ability to maintain Major/Minor FAA Delegation.
• Reviewing non-standard aircraft options for scheduling and compliance.

We've recently introduced new aircraft to market, including the NXCub, which you will be involved with:  https://www.kitplanes.com/tri-power/  
 

Growth and impact
You'll be joining us at an exciting time. Although a great many key players in the aviation industry have been negatively affected by the pandemic, we're bucking the trend and continuing to expand our products and market position. You'll help us keep the momentum going.

Exciting projects
You'll gain valuable exposure to a variety of projects and industry contacts. For example, we recently completed significant Part 23 and EASA certification programs. As you already know, to be granted a new TC and bring an airplane to market is a major accomplishment and you'll play a key role in driving similar projects to the finish line.

Not just a job . . . a way of life
We are passionate about what we do, and we'll expect you to embrace that passion. Just as we promise our customers "Adventure Multiplied®," we are committed to bringing the adventure of developing and manufacturing the best aircraft available to our staff.

Great environment
We're proud of our close-knit culture and the large number of long-tenured employees at CubCrafters. The culture is contagious: we simply love to design, build and fly great aircraft. The atmosphere is upbeat and energetic. Great small-company culture, but with the entrepreneurial spirit and growth that makes it exciting to come into work every day.

Get into the sky
Nothing is quite so motivating as climbing into the cockpit of the aircraft you helped produce and soaring past the slopes of Mt. Rainier or coasting above the trees that line the Columbia River. We maintain a Sport Cub exclusively for the use of our employees, who can reserve and fly it for a subsidized aircraft rental rate.

Competitive benefits
In addition to a competitive salary for our industry segment, we offer a number of great benefits including Paid Time Off, 100% medical coverage for employees, 401k with company match, and more.

Pictured: Carbon Cub FX. Perfect for longer missions.

To excel at CubCrafters, you'll bring high energy and the adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. You'll need to be able to execute, lead the team, and manage complex projects. Teamwork and collaboration are fundamental to our culture, so you'll be able to work effectively with diverse personalities at all levels. 

The ideal candidate will be passionate about airplanes and eager to improve our products. We will welcome your vision and innovative ideas on how we can make a good thing even better - continuing to provide the best light aircraft on the market for recreational and bush pilots who are just as passionate about flying them. This is a role where you'll be able to feel that sense of overall ownership and pride that you can't find in the silos of the big companies.

Additionally, in order to be an outstanding Engineering Manager, you should also possess the following management competencies: 

• Technical skills and knowledge 
• Business skills
• Communication skills
• Leadership skills 
• Management skills 

Video: Follow along with CubCrafters’ Brad Damm to learn about the details and design considerations of the new nosewheel-equipped NXCub. Read the full review at: https://www.kitplanes.com/tri-power

We love the Yakima Valley, but we also recognize that it isn't for everybody. First, here are some of the reasons we wouldn't live anywhere else:

• 290 days of sunshine a year and wide open blue skies; we get some snow in the winter, and summer temperatures average in the high 80s.
• More than 100 award-winning wineries.
• Outdoor sports, from year round  hiking to skiing to snowmobiling to white water rafting, and from hunting to fly-fishing.
• Farm fresh local produce like apples, peaches and cherries -- some farms let you pick your own.
• Berries, berries, berries.
• The annual Fresh Hop Ale Fest (we grow most of America's hops right here).
• A cost of living, including housing, that is considerably lower than on the coast, and below the national average.
• No "big city" traffic!

On the other hand, if you need a steady dose of urban energy, Yakima probably isn't the place for you. The city of Yakima has more than 90,000 residents and the metro area is almost 250,000 strong. Valley Mall and other commerce areas, in nearby Union Gap, features a wide array of national retailers. We're not a small town, but we're not Seattle. For an occasional dose of urban culture, though, the TriCities area is about an hour away and Seattle is just over two hours across the beautiful Cascades.

If we determine that you are a strong candidate, we'll invite you to visit Yakima and get a feel for the lifestyle here. Meanwhile, for a little more information, visit Yakima Valley Tourism. Clicking on this link will open a new browser window, but be sure to come back to submit your resume!

Pictured: Rafting on the Yakima River in summer.