Quality Assurance/Control Manager/Chief Inspector

Job purpose

The Quality Assurance/Control Manager/Chief Inspector is responsible for the overall management, oversight, and continuous improvement of the inspection and quality assurance functions for Part 145 Repair Station. This position ensures all maintenance, repairs, alterations, and inspections are performed in compliance with FAA regulations, OEM specifications, company procedures, and AS9100/9110 standards. The Chief Inspector serves as the principal point of contact with the FAA and other regulatory authorities concerning inspection activities and regulatory compliance.

Quality Control Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure the repair station’s inspection system complies with 14 CFR Part 145, company Repair Station and Quality Control Manual (RSM/QCM), customer and regulatory specifications (including DCMA 8210 guidelines), and all applicable FAA regulations.
• Manage, supervise, and direct all incoming, in-process, and final inspections of aircraft, engines, components, and related parts.
• Ensure airworthiness determinations are properly made, documented, and traceable.
• Coordinate FAA and customer audits, prepare responses to findings, and ensure timely corrective actions. Verify the use of current technical data, including drawings, maintenance manuals, and service bulletins.
• Ensure all work orders, inspection records, and airworthiness release documentation are properly completed and maintained.
• Manage and supervise NDT, Receiving Inspection, and Quality Control personnel.
• Oversees the internal Test, Measurement, Diagnostics Equipment (TMDE) calibration system.
• Act as liaison with the FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) for inspection and regulatory matters.
• Interface with customers, OEMs, and regulatory authorities to ensure alignment with quality and inspection requirements.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

Quality Assurance Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviews all company documents, records, and procedures.
• Maintain and update the RSM/QCM, inspection procedures, and related documentation in coordination with the Accountable Manager and Director of Maintenance.
• Maintain the repair station roster and ensure inspector qualifications, training, and currency are documented and current.
• Coordinate internal and external AS9100/AS9110/ISO9001 audits to ensure compliance with customer and regulatory specifications including DCMA 8210 guidelines.
• Support continuous improvement and root cause analysis initiatives across all quality functions. Point of contact for customer initiated corrective actions. Act as custodian of the company corrective action process and sustain a higher level of knowledge related to Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and investigatory practices to ensure adequacy in responses and approval of responses regardless of the submitting party. Investigate non-conformance root causes resulting from internal and external discrepancies, as well as issue corrective and/or preventive actions. Quality Manager will ensure corrective and/or preventive actions are implemented and effective.
• Interface with customers, OEMs, and regulatory authorities to ensure alignment with quality and inspection requirements.
• Administrate DCMA 8210 Contractor Flight & Ground Operations Manual.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

Workplace Safety:

• Maintain compliance with all OSHA, EPA, and company Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) policies.
• Ensure inspectors and technicians adhere to proper PPE and safe handling procedures for tools, equipment, and chemicals.
• Support and enforce a culture of safety and accountability within the inspection and maintenance teams.
• Immediately report unsafe acts, conditions, or incidents to leadership and assist in implementing corrective actions.

SOP/KPIs:

• Maintain 100% compliance with FAA Part 145, AS9100/9110, and company QMS requirements.
• Zero major audit findings from regulatory or customer audits.
• 100% traceability and documentation accuracy in inspection records.
• On-time completion of inspections supporting production schedules.
• Maintain current and approved inspection procedures, manuals, and calibration systems.

Team Support:

• Lead and mentor inspection and quality staff, ensuring consistent application of inspection standards.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration between Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and Materials departments.
• Provide training, coaching, and performance evaluations for inspection personnel.
• Support leadership in developing inspection training programs and maintaining personnel competency.
• Maintain best practices and a positive working environment with all parties at the worksite.
• Coordinate with other departments to achieve outlined goals.
• Respond to communications (e-mails, meeting requests, Teams messages, etc.) set by team members in a timely and friendly manner.
• Learn Smartsheet’s project management software and take ownership of assigned projects. Aid in the evolution of usage of this platform by spearheading best practices adoption.

Qualifications:

• FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate preferred.
• IA preferred.
• AS9100/AS9110/ISO9001 Lead Auditor Certification.
• Minimum of 10 years of aircraft maintenance and inspection experience, with at least 5 years in a supervisory or Chief Inspector role within a Part 145 repair station.
• In-depth knowledge of FAA regulations, Part 145 Repair Station operations, AS9100/9110, and ITAR compliance.
• Experience with rotary-wing aircraft, particularly Bell, Sikorsky, or Airbus helicopters (UH-1/UH-60 experience preferred).
• Demonstrated experience managing quality assurance and inspection functions within an MRO or aerospace environment, including Aviation Intermediate Maintenance (AVIM), Aviation Unit Maintenance (AVUM), and limited depot-level or organizational/intermediate maintenance operations.

Required Behaviors:

• Demonstrates the highest ethical standards and commitment to compliance.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and documentation discipline.
• Professional, calm, and decisive under pressure.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Promotes a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Hard Skills & Education:

• FAA Airframe & Powerplant License (preferred).
• Advanced knowledge of aircraft maintenance manuals, service bulletins, airworthiness directives, and inspection criteria.
• Strong computer literacy with MS Office, digital inspection management systems, and ERP platforms.
• Understanding of AS9100/9110 and ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Familiarity with NDT methods, calibration control, and configuration management.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical data.

Specific Soft Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting abilities.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Leadership presence and ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Continuous improvement mindset.

Working conditions

• Onsite position in an MRO hangar and office environment.
• Exposure to moderate noise, fumes, and chemicals consistent with aircraft maintenance environments.
• Occasional travel for audits, customer visits, or training.

Essential Job Functions

• Manage and execute all inspection and airworthiness release activities.
• Ensure proper documentation and traceability of all inspection results.
• Supervise and evaluate inspection and quality personnel.
• Maintain regulatory and procedural compliance across all inspection functions.
• Serve as the company’s primary regulatory contact for inspection matters.
• Support production flow while ensuring safety and compliance standards are never compromised.

Physical requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without assistance.
• Must be able to stand, sit, bend, and kneel for extended periods.
• Ability to work in confined spaces or elevated areas as needed.
• Visual acuity and color vision are sufficient to detect defects and interpret inspection data.
• Manual dexterity for handling inspection tools and precision equipment.
• Must successfully pass a DOT-compliant drug screening.

Direct reports

• Inspectors (Incoming, In-Process, and Final)
• NDT Personnel
• Quality Control Records Clerks / Administrative Support