The main objective of this paper is to highlight the role of Global Engineering Partners (GEPs) in the globalized Aerospace & Defense (A&D) supply chain with an emphasis on the certification process. The complexities involved in aircraft certification due to transforming roles of the stakeholders are highlighted. The paper presents a detailed approach for airworthiness and type certification for a developmental aircraft, various standards that are applicable and types of certification. A case study based approach is followed to demonstrate how the capabilities of GEPs could be leveraged by the A&D industry to address design for quality and the support for certification in various aircraft related areas.