Specialist - Engineering - Load Control

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The Specialist - Engineering - Load Control acts as a subject matter expert and technical authority for all of Air Canada regarding aircraft mass and balance engineering. The person holding this position leads the development, governance and continuous improvement of standards, methodologies, data, systems and operating procedures relating to aircraft loading, in accordance with airframe data, Transport Canada requirements and applicable industry standards. It thus ensures the safety and compliance of operations for the Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge air fleets, while providing specialized decision support for the entry into service of fleets, modifications made to aircraft, operational performance and digital transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Technical Authority and Governance

• Act as the company's technical authority in terms of standards, methodologies and data relating to aircraft Load Control engineering, ensuring their uniform application across all fleets and within supported operating activities.
• Establish, govern and achieve continuous improvement of load control policies, technical standards and operating requirements applicable to aircraft operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and assisted carriers that benefit from their support.
• Interpret and apply airframer mass and balance manuals, Transport Canada requirements, IATA aircraft-type ground operations manual standards, and other applicable regulatory and industry guidelines.

New Fleet Rollout and Configuration Management

• Lead the development and validation of aircraft weight and balance datasets to facilitate the entry into service of new aircraft types, the rollout of new fleets and major operational changes.
• Evaluate aircraft modifications, cabin reconfigurations and technical modifications to determine their impact on empty weight in service, center of gravity, loading characteristics and operational capacity.
• Define aircraft weighing requirements, provide technical guidance to Air Canada Maintenance, and validate resulting aircraft weight and balance reports and statements.
• Develop operating empty weight estimates for proposed aircraft configurations and provide reliable data in support of payload and range analysis, aircraft performance and network decision making.

Technical Standards and Operational Support

• Lead the development and implementation of load planning procedures that will be perfectly harmonized with the company's weight and balance systems, as well as its operational processes.
• Perform and approve complex technical analyses, including mass and moment calculations, center of gravity reduction and special load assessments.
• Establish and maintain standard passenger, baggage and operating equipment weights, in accordance with approved statistical methods, as well as relevant regulatory and IATA requirements.
• Lead the development, technical validation and management of aircraft-specific load planning manuals, loading instructions, cargo compartment restrictions, and supporting technical documentation.
• Provide expert technical advice and approve special loading instructions in complex, non-standard or urgent operational situations.

Digital Solutions and Operational Efficiency

• Manage aircraft configuration and loading data in corporate mass and balance platforms, implementing controls that ensure accuracy, traceability, configuration integrity and timely integration of approved modifications.
• Identify and implement opportunities for payload capacity, aircraft utilization rate, fuel efficiency and operational performance improvement through the optimization of weight and balance calculation methods, as well as aircraft weight data.
• As a subject matter expert in Load Control engineering, lead the design, implementation, testing and continuous improvement of mass and balance digital applications, technical databases and automated calculation tools used by technical flight personnel, load agents and other operational stakeholders.

Risk Management, Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

• Identify, assess and mitigate safety, compliance and operational risks arising from Load Control aspects of weight and balance data, loading procedures, system modifications and related information flows.
• Provide cross-functional technical leadership and advisory services to Flight Operations, Air Canada Maintenance, Airports, Air Canada Cargo, Network Planning, Digital Solutions, Aircraft Programs and Safety teams, as well as external suppliers and regulatory agencies.
• Provide technical guidance and ensure knowledge transfer to members of the Aircraft Performance team; represent Air Canada in relevant industry working groups and contribute to the development of standards and practices in load control.
• Lead continuous improvement and process optimization initiatives aimed at simplifying work, strengthening data quality, improving system reliability and increasing operational efficiency; assume the responsibilities of the designated representative of the Weight and Balance team and the process improvement manager, as described in the Aircraft Performance Procedures Manual (APPM).

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace or aeronautical engineering, or a technical diploma in a closely related discipline; combination of equivalent education and experience in the field, considered.

Experience

• At least five years of experience with increasing responsibilities in aircraft weight and balance engineering, airline load control, aircraft performance or in a closely related operational engineering function.
• Experience in supporting aircraft entry into service, cabin reconfiguration, aircraft modification or other complex fleet programs, including the development and validation of controlled technical data.

Knowledge and Technical Skills

• In-depth knowledge of commercial aircraft load planning and weight and balance principles, aircraft certification data, airframer weight and balance manuals, Transport Canada requirements and IATA aircraft-type ground operations manual standards.
• Strong digital capabilities and analytical skills, including advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with engineering databases, automated calculation tools or programming; knowledge of VBA, AutoCAD and SmartLOAD by Smart4Aviation, an asset.

Leadership, Judgment and Communication

• Proven technical judgment, systems thinking and ability to solve complex technical problems, while demonstrating an unwavering commitment to operational safety, data integrity and technical excellence.
• Proven ability to lead through influence, establish effective governance and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders, suppliers, airframers and regulators without direct authority.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, and ability to translate complex technical issues into clear operational directives and recommendations for senior management; proficiency in French, an asset.

Employment Conditions:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the country concerned at the time a job offer is presented and are responsible for obtaining work permits, visas or other necessary authorizations. Proof of eligibility must be provided before the start date.

Language Requirements

Equal skills permitting, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.

Diversity and Inclusion

Air Canada is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion and aims to create a healthy, accessible and rewarding workplace that highlights the unique contribution of our employees to the success of our business.

As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage diverse applications in order to have a workforce that is varied and representative of our customers and the communities where we live and offer our services.

Air Canada thanks all candidates for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.