Aviation SMS manager

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology; Nelson; Hybrid; NZD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great experienced and friendly team

Modern training facilities

Excellent employee benefits

Job summary

The Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) Aviation School seeks a full-time Aviation SMS Manager in Nelson, New Zealand. The role focuses on regulatory stewardship of Civil Aviation certification rules for maintenance training organisations and requires strong leadership and stakeholder engagement.

The successful candidate will have a LAME or equivalent with 5+ years experience or NZCAA Part 66 AMEL/ICAO license, and a solid understanding of SMS within an aviation context, ready to

Qualifications

• Regulatory stewardship for Civil Aviation certification rules applicable to maintenance training organisations.
• Experience in integrating Aviation Safety Systems with safety, quality management and audits.
• Leadership experience in the aviation industry and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Oversee regulatory stewardship and ensure alignment with Civil Aviation certification rules for training organisations.
• Coordinate integration of Aviation Safety Systems with NMIT safety, quality management and audit processes.
• Engage with stakeholders to maintain compliance and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership experience

SMS knowledge

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Fit and Proper Person understanding

Education

LAME or equivalent (5+ years)

NZCAA Part 66 AMEL or ICAO license

NZ Qualifications framework / CAA licensing system understanding

Job description

The Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) Aviation School is a CAA 147 Certified Training Organisation. Our vision is to be The School of Excellence in the training of Aeronautical Maintenance Engineers for the Aviation industry in New Zealand.

We are currently seeking a full time permanent, a suitably qualified Aviation SMS Manager for our training facility based in Nelson.

The key focus of this position is on regulatory stewardship and professional regulatory practice as it relates to Civil Aviation certification rules for maintenance training organisations. The role is pivotal in ensuring that Aviation Safety Systems and training activities are fully integrated with NMIT safety, quality management and audit processes.

To be successful in this role you will need to:

• Be a qualified Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME) or have an equivalent qualification with at least 5 years applied experience OR
• NZCAA Part 66 Aircraft Maintenance Engineering License (AMEL) or other ICAO contracting state license for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering OR
• Have proven leadership experience in the Aviation industry
• Have a good understanding of SMS in an applied Aviation setting orAviation Health and Safety management role
• Meet the requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority for a "Fit and Proper Person"
• Demonstrate a good understanding of the New Zealand Qualifications framework and CAA licensing system

If you are a people person, with good interpersonal and management skills, can work across a number of organisations and create strong relations with stakeholders we would like to hear from you.

• Great experienced and friendly team
• Modern training facilities
• Excellent employee benefits

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology Ltd (NMIT) is Government owned, NZQA Category One tertiary education institute. It operates three campuses, servicing over 6500 tertiary students from the Nelson and Marlborough regions, and from all over the world. Our promise is 'work-ready, world-ready graduates'.

Applications close date is midnight on Friday 30th October 2026.