Principal Engineer – Aerospace

Building better and safer isn't a slogan, but the way we show up in the world.

It's how we make sure technology speaks not only in code, but with meaning: better technologies, better ways of working, and more inclusive communities.

We align with what matters for people and for the planet, actively nurturing it to be better and safer.

At the centre, it's our people who power everything we do. It's their talent, drive and different ways of thinking that keep us moving forward, pushing the limits of what's possible.

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Engineer – Aerospace to join our team. In this role, you will act as the key technical advisor in aerospace-focused opportunities, supporting our Business Development while ensuring the seamless execution of complex aerospace-related projects.

You will bridge the gap between sales and delivery, translating customer needs into robust technical solutions, and supporting our execution teams to deliver projects at the highest standards of safety, performance, and compliance.

This is a senior role requiring deep technical expertise in aerospace systems, as well as strong business acumen to influence and guide stakeholders across the sales cycle.

What will be your task

• Pre-Sales & Business Development: support sales teams in the aerospace market, driving customer engagement at a technical level. You will lead technical discussions with clients, articulating complex solutions to both technical and business audiences. Identify and develop strategic alliances to complement our offering, enhancing differentiation, time-to-market and value creation.
• Solution Design & Business Proposals: develop solution architectures and technical proposals, engage with OEMs, technology partners, and channel partners to design joint technical solutions
  tailored for the aerospace industry, ensuring compliance with aviation standards, regulations and safety-critical requirements.
• Delivery Support: act as a trusted advisor to project teams, ensuring technical quality and alignment with proposed solutions providing technical oversight during project execution. You will also participate in strategic projects for customer engagement and technical validation.
• Knowledge Sharing & Solution Reuse: Foster the sharing and reuse of proven solutions across aerospace projects and promote continuous improvement in technical methodologies.
• Driving Innovation: Stay current with aerospace industry developments by attending sector events, monitoring trends, and incorporating new insights into our approach.
• Lead Generation & Strategic Alliances: Collaborate with Business Development and Marketing teams on targeted lead generation campaigns, and identify strategic partnerships to boost differentiation, speed to market, and overall value creation.

What do we expect from you?

• Strong customer orientation
  and ability to build long-term client relationships.
• Proven expertise in aerospace systems, safety-critical software and solutions for the aerospace domain.
• Excellent problem-solving and solution design skills.
• Strong presentation, communication, and technical writing abilities.
• Leadership and mentoring capabilities to guide both sales and delivery teams.
• Solid understanding of business strategy and aerospace market trends.
• Ability to work with autonomy and decision-making responsibility in high-stakes environments.
• 10+ years of experience in safety critical systems engineering, with at least 5 years in the aerospace sector.
• Proven experience in pre-sales engineering, solution design, and technical leadership.
• Deep understanding of aerospace standards and certifications (e.g., DO-178C, ARP4754, DO-326A).
• Demonstrated ability to support both sales activities and project delivery.
• Engineering degree in Computer Science, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred).
• Strategic and tactical thinking.
• Fluency in English (other languages are a plus).

Critical Software provides:

• Work that fits your life, not the other way around
• Offices designed to make you feel like you belong
• A team that knows how to work hard, but also how to have fun
• Pay that makes you feel valued, plus performance-based rewards
• Your growth is our priority: training, support, and opportunities

Plus, Perks with Purpose:

• Private Health Insurance
  Because your health and peace of mind matters.
• Employee Assistance Programme
  Confidential support for you and your household from mental health to legal or financial advice, we're here for whatever life throws your way.
• Home Office Support
  Get what you need to work comfortably from home, without turning your living room into an ergonomic nightmare.
• Extra Holidays
  The longer you're with us, the more you get. Two extra days after your first year, and more as time goes on.
• Extra Parental Leave
  Two additional months of fully paid leave for both parents — whether you're welcoming a child by birth or adoption.
• Flex-time
  We don't clock-watch. Work when it makes sense for you, as long as it works for your team and goals.
• Gradual Return to Work Support
  Returning after a long break? We'll help you ease back in with a plan that fits your pace and needs.
• Away From Keyboard - Sabbatical programme
  Long-term employees can take time off to explore new ideas, projects or experiences and come back with fresh eyes and stories to tell.

Every day we embrace new missions across industries as diverse as aerospace, space, defence, transport, telecoms, government, energy, finance and healthcare.

Now, the real question is: are you ready to join us and help make the world a better and safer place?

Critical Software is proud to be a Benefit Corporation. A Benefit Corporation differs from a standard corporation (C-Corporation): It is a for-profit business entity, legally defined in the US and other jurisdictions, whose legally defined goals include the positive impact on society, workers, the community and the environment, in addition to profit.

We are an equal opportunity workplace and committed to allow candidates with disabilities or neurodevelopmental conditions to prove their competencies to their full potential. We are willing to move the barriers that may prevent you from demonstrating that you are the right candidate for this role, so please let us know if you need some adjustment in your recruitment process.

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