Principal Engineer – Aviation Coimbra

About the Company

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.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Engineer – Aviation to join our team. In this role, you will act as the key technical advisor in
- focused opportunities, supporting our Business Development while ensuring the seamless execution of complex
- 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 that requires deep technical expertise in aviation systems, as well as strong business acumen to influence and guide stakeholders across the sales cycle.

Responsibilities

• Pre‑Sales & Business Development: support sales teams in the aviation market, driving customer engagement at a technical level. 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 aviation 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. Participate in strategic projects for customer engagement and technical validation.
• Knowledge Sharing & Solution Reuse: Foster the sharing and reuse of proven solutions across aviation projects and promote continuous improvement in technical methodologies.
• Driving Innovation: Stay current with aviation 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.

Qualifications

• Strong customer orientation and ability to build long‑term client relationships.
• Proven expertise in aviation systems, safety‑critical software and solutions for the aviation 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 aviation 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 aviation sector.
• Proven experience in pre‑sales engineering, solution design, and technical leadership.
• Deep understanding of aviation 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).

Benefits

• Private Health Insurance – 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.
• 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.

Perks & Purpose

• 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!

Company Values

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.

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

We are an equal opportunity workplace and committed to allowing 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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