Karthik Dhanabalan
Engineering Lead, Aircraft Certification Engineering @Ftg Aerospace
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WORK HISTORY
Engineering Lead, Aircraft Certification Engineering @Ftg Aerospace
Calgary, AB, CA
Lead and Manage a multidisciplinary team of Aircraft Structures and Systems Engineers/Technologists. Foster an environment that prioritizes work-life balance, encourages continuous professional development, and ensures the successful completion of projects. Implement effective strategies to enhance team collaboration, maintain high standards of engineering excellence, and drive innovation. Promote a culture of continuous improvement by mentoring team members, providing guidance and support to help them achieve their career goals while aligning their efforts with FLYHT\'s objectives while contributing as an Aircraft Structures Engineer.
EDUCATION
Anna University Chennai
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.), Aeronautical Engineering
Concordia University
Master's degree, Aerospace Structures and Composites
DAV Group of Schools (TNAES), Chennai
High School - Grade 6 to Grade 12, Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science
McGill University
Master’s Degree, Aerospace Structures and Composites
SBOA School & Junior College
Secondary School - Kindergarten to Grade 5
ABOUT KARTHIK DHANABALAN
I am an Aerospace Engineering leader with over a decade of experience delivering aircraft certification programs within a Delegated Authority framework, underpinned by 6 years of rigorous academic training. I hold a B.Eng in Aeronautical Engineering from Anna University and an M.Eng in Aerospace Structures & Composites from Concordia University. I am a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with APEGA and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) from PMI. As the Engineering Lead for Aircraft Certification Engineering (ACE) at FTG Aerospace - Calgary (formerly FLYHT), I lead and manage multidisciplinary teams responsible for structural and avionics modification programs across commercial aircraft platforms. My focus is on driving STC strategy, ensuring regulatory compliance, and delivering certification programs that are technically sound, audit-ready, and aligned with customer and operational expectations. I work closely with regulatory authorities including Transport Canada (TCCA), FAA and EASA to secure Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and amended approvals. I am responsible for certification governance, engineering oversight, and maintaining the integrity, traceability, and compliance of all engineering outputs within the DAO framework. My experience includes: • Leading end-to-end aircraft certification programs spanning fleet-wide modifications across Boeing and Airbus platforms, supporting large-scale STC implementations • Driving design development, structural substantiation, damage tolerance analysis and compliance • Establishing and enforcing engineering processes aligned with CARs and FARs Beyond technical execution, I focus on building high-performance engineering teams, mentoring engineers toward increased responsibility and technical authority, and fostering a culture of accountability, clarity, and continuous improvement. My technical foundation includes aerospace structures, finite element analysis, fatigue and damage tolerance, and certification methodologies developed through both industry experience and academic research.
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