Specialist, Load Control Engineering

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The Specialist, Load Control Engineering serves as Air Canada’s enterprise subject matter expert and technical authority for aircraft weight and balance engineering. The role leads the development, governance, and continuous improvement of aircraft loading standards, methodologies, data, systems, and operational procedures in accordance with aircraft manufacturer data, Transport Canada requirements, and applicable industry standards. It enables safe and compliant operations across the Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge fleets while providing expert decision support for fleet entry into service, aircraft modifications, operational performance, and digital transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Technical Authority and Governance

• Act as the enterprise technical authority for aircraft Load Control engineering standards, methodologies, and data, ensuring their consistent application across all fleets and supported operations.
• Establish, govern, and continuously improve load control policies, engineering standards, and operating requirements for aircraft operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and supported contract carriers.
• Interpret and apply aircraft manufacturer Weight and Balance Manuals, Transport Canada requirements, IATA Airport Handling Manual standards, and other applicable regulatory and industry guidance.

Fleet Introduction and Configuration Management

• Lead the development and validation of aircraft weight and balance data packages supporting entry into service of new aircraft types, fleet introductions, and major operational changes.
• Assess aircraft modifications, cabin reconfigurations, and engineering changes to determine their impact on operating empty weight, centre of gravity, loading characteristics, and operational capability.
• Define aircraft weighing requirements, provide technical direction to Maintenance and validate resulting aircraft weight and balance reports and statements.
• Develop operating empty weight estimates for proposed aircraft configurations and provide authoritative data supporting payload-range analysis, aircraft performance, and network decision-making.

Engineering Standards and Operational Support

• Lead the development and implementation of load planning procedures that are fully aligned with enterprise weight and balance systems and operational processes.
• Conduct and approve complex engineering analyses, including weight and moment calculations, centre-of-gravity envelope curtailments, and special loading evaluations.
• Establish and maintain standard passenger, baggage, and operational-item weights in accordance with approved statistical methodologies and applicable IATA and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the development, technical validation, and governance of aircraft-specific load planning manuals, loading instructions, cargo compartment limitations and supporting engineering documentation.
• Provide expert technical consultation and approve special loading instructions for complex, non-standard, or time-critical operational situations.

Digital Solutions and Operational Efficiency

• Govern aircraft configuration and loading data within enterprise weight and balance platforms, establishing controls that ensure accuracy, traceability, configuration integrity, and timely incorporation of approved changes.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve payload capability, aircraft utilization, fuel efficiency, and operational performance through optimization of weight and balance methodologies and aircraft weight data.
• As Load Control Engineering SME, support the design, implementation, testing, and continuous improvement of digital weight and balance applications, engineering databases and automated calculation tools used by flight crews, load agents and other operational stakeholders.

Risk Management, Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

• Identify, assess, and mitigate safety, compliance and operational risks associated with Load Control aspects of weight and balance data, loading procedures, system changes and supporting information flows.
• Provide cross-functional technical leadership and consultation to Flight Operations, Maintenance, Airports, Cargo, Network Planning, Digital, Aircraft Programs, Safety, external vendors, and regulatory authorities.
• Provide technical guidance and knowledge transfer to Aircraft Performance personnel; represent Air Canada in relevant industry working groups and influence the development of load control standards and practices.
• Lead continuous improvement and process optimization initiatives that simplify work, strengthen data quality, improve system reliability, and increase operational efficiency; perform the responsibilities of the designated Weight and Balance representative and Process Improvement Leader described in the Aircraft Performance Procedures Manual.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace or aeronautical engineering, or a technical degree in a closely related discipline; equivalent relevant education and experience may be considered.

Experience

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

Knowledge and Technical Skills

• Advanced knowledge of commercial aircraft load planning and weight and balance principles, aircraft certification data, manufacturer Weight and Balance Manuals, Transport Canada requirements and IATA Airport Handling Manual standards.
• Strong digital and analytical capability, including advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with engineering databases, automated calculation tools or programming; knowledge of VBA, AutoCAD and Smart4Aviation SmartLOAD is an asset.

Leadership, Judgement and Communication

• Demonstrated engineering judgement, systems thinking and ability to resolve complex technical problems while maintaining a strong commitment to operational safety, data integrity and engineering excellence.
• Proven ability to lead through influence, establish effective governance and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders, vendors, manufacturers and regulatory authorities without direct authority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to translate complex technical issues into clear operational direction and executive-level recommendations; French is an asset.

Conditions of Employment:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the country of interest at the time any offer of employment is made and are responsible for obtaining any required work permits, visas, or other authorizations necessary for employment. Prior to their start date, candidates will also need to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the country of interest.

Linguistic Requirements

Based on equal qualifications, 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 work environment which highlights employees’ unique contributions to our company’s success.

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all to help us build a diverse workforce which reflects the diversity of our customers, and communities, in which we live and serve.

Air Canada thanks all candidates for their interest; however only those selected to continue in the process will be contacted.