Senior Specialist - Engineering Investigation

Role Overview

Senior Specialist - Engineering Investigation at the General Civil Aviation Authority, responsible for leading aircraft accident and incident investigations, managing investigation teams, and conducting safety studies across the territory of the UAE.

Role Purpose

To lead and conduct complex aircraft accident and incident investigations, determine cause and contributing factors, represent the UAE in international investigations, and manage the development of aviation safety standards and procedures aligned with national and international best practices.

Key Responsibilities

Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation

• Lead investigation teams as investigator-in-charge or chairperson to conduct investigations into major and complex accidents occurring in UAE territory for efficient resource utilization and effective outcomes.
• Conduct investigations into less complex accidents, serious incidents, and incidents to identify causes and contributing factors.
• Conduct safety studies and research to identify aviation safety risks at national and international levels.
• Conduct special and limited scope safety investigations requested by management to identify specific aviation safety concerns.
• Determine initial response actions as a Duty Investigator based on received notifications of accidents and serious incidents.
• Assure that accident investigators comply with site safety procedures.
• Conduct insight analysis of human and organizational factors with focus on engineering aspects to determine their contribution to accidents.
• Lead investigation teams assigned to conduct investigations under Annex 13 provisions into State, military, and police air accidents upon request from the concerned authority.
• Lead investigation teams as investigator-in-charge assigned to conduct investigations for other States upon official request.
• Represent the UAE in investigations conducted by other States and supervise the UAE team to ensure effective participation.
• Manage the preparation of investigation Final Reports according to established report-writing procedures.

Project and Change Management

• Manage teams, working groups, and taskforces to perform projects and tasks relevant to GCAA strategic plan and State initiatives.
• Prepare and present high-level working papers and presentations in international forums to support UAE soft power strategy.
• Plan and manage the implementation of activities generated by the National Air Accident Committee including workshops and seminars.
• Plan and manage full-scale exercises to evaluate coordination procedures with accident site stakeholders.
• Draft standards, policies, procedures, and guidance material for industry relevant to air accident investigation according to best international practice.
• Support and provide advice to the Assistant Manager – Engineering Investigation to manage changes through continuous improvement of functional systems, processes, and practices.
• Mentor new investigators and assess their performance according to AAIS Competency-Based Training and Assessment policies and procedures.

Reporting

• Ensure that all functional reports are prepared timely and accurately and meet GCAA requirements and quality standards.

Health, Safety and Environment

• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, quality, and environmental management procedures and controls to guarantee employee safety, legislative compliance, delivery of high-quality products and services, and a responsible environmental attitude as per IMS available standards.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform additional tasks relevant to the role and area of expertise as requested by management to achieve objectives and commitments.

Qualifications & Experience

• University degree in a technical discipline relevant to aviation, or aviation engineering license issued by a recognized authority with 5 years' experience in the aviation industry.