A320 SMS and FOD Officer

Airbus Americas; Mobile (AL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Financial rewards

Work-life balance

Health & welfare

Leadership development

Job summary

Airbus Americas, Inc is seeking a Senior Manager, Aviation Safety Management System (SMS) & Operational Quality to oversee site-wide aviation safety, FOD prevention, and industrial quality excellence at the Mobile facility. This dual-function role acts as the primary authority for SMS governance, aligning with EASA/FAA standards and Airbus Operating System (AOS) for continuous improvement.

You will lead a team, drive risk management, and ensure product conformity from final assembly to customer

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field and 10+ years aerospace experience.
• Strong knowledge of EASA/FAA, QMS EN9100/9110, SMS implementations.
• Proven leadership of multifunction teams in aviation manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Direct four-pillar SMS across site operations, aligning with central directives and regulatory standards.
• Lead a team of 18–23 SMS Representatives, coaching, setting targets, and driving cross-functional improvements.
• Oversee FOD eradication, quality governance, and corrective action programs across production lines and maintenance.
• Interface with external regulators (EASA/FAA) and executive governance bodies to represent site interests.

Skills

English language

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering / Industrial Engineering / Technical Management

Job description

Airbus is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as an Equal Opportunity Employer to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation to complete your application, please contact us at [e-mail]

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Job Description:

Airbus Americas, Inc is looking for a A320 Senior Manager, Aviation Safety Management System (SMS) & Operational Quality to join our team based in Mobile, AL.

The Senior Manager, Aviation Safety Management System (SMS) & Operational Quality holds strategic and operational oversight for site-wide aviation safety, Foreign Object Debris (FOD) prevention, and industrial quality excellence across the Mobile facility. This dual-function role acts as the primary authority for site-wide Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) governing all four pillars of safety risk management, safety assurance, safety policy, and safetypromotion-while simultaneously leading strategic FOD prevention and process adherence across the full aircraft lifecycle (FAL to Customer Delivery). By unifying aviation safety governance, EASA/FAA compliance standards, and Airbus Operating System (AOS) continuous improvement frameworks, this role directly safeguards product conformity, flight safety, workforce protection, and organizational production privileges.

Meet the Team:

Our Engineers at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing facility take our aircraft from concept to customer delivery - working with production teams on every aspect of assembly from managing technical information, quality control, maintenance tasks and health & safety - along flowlines and flightlines. Join our team and watch our aircraft come to life.

Your Working Environment:

On 'Airbus Way' you will find the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility for commercial aircraft. Opened at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley in 2015, the facility produces A320 Family aircraft and added a second product line for the A220 in 2019. The facility, which strengthens the U.S. aerospace industry, is part of Airbus' strategy to enhance its global competitiveness by meeting the growing needs of its customers in the United States and beyond.

How We Care for You:

• Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes, retirement savings plan and the ability to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (\"ESOP\")


• Work/Life Balance: Paid time off including personal time, holidays and a generous paid parental leave program.


• Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (\"EAP\") and other supplemental benefit coverages.


• Individual Development: Upskilling and development opportunities through our global Leadership University, including unlimited access to 10,000+ e-learning courses focusing on ways to develop your employability, certifications, career path as well as the opportunity to participate in accelerated development programmes and both national and international mobility.

Your Challenges:

1. Strategic Safety Management System (SMS) Leadership

• Direct and execute the four pillars of the site Safety Management System (SMS) across local operations, ensuring alignment with central Airbus Corporate Safety directives and EASA/FAA regulatory standards


• Manage a team of 18-23 SMS Representatives and Delegates, providing continuous coaching, setting operational targets, and driving multi-functional problem-solving (MFT) initiatives.


• Lead SMS Case Investigations, Safety Risk Management (SRM) assessments, and systemic threat evaluations, establishing sustainable corrective actions and maintaining site risk databases.


• Govern Management of Change (MoC) safety assessments for industrial ramp-ups and line modifications, ensuring on-time release and compliance.


• Drive site-wide Safety Culture programs and author/deliver comprehensive safety training curricula across all employee levels.

2. FOD Eradication, Quality Standards & Governance

• Serve as the Site Subject Matter Expert (SME) and strategic lead for FOD eradication, managing the Mobile FOD Roadmap 2025+ and reversing non-conformance trends.


• Enforce FOD process adherence across FAL, Flight-Line, and Customer Line operations in accordance with Quality Management System (QMS) rules, EN9100/9110, EASA, and FAA frameworks.


• Direct Practical Problem Solving (PPS), Kaizen, and Root Cause Analysis (5-Why, Human Factors) for complex FOD events and Safety Related Items (SARI).


• Define product conformity attestation standards, optimize inspection learning paths, and build robust delegated inspector networks.


• Establish advanced site-level FOD Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) linked to Top Company Objectives to drive down the Cost of Non-Quality (CoNQ).

3. Airbus Operating System (AOS) & Industrial Strategy Deployment

• Lead the site AOS (Lean/Continuous Improvement) strategy within Quality, deploying operational bricks across HSE, EEM, PSE, PCL, and PEM domains.


• Establish and mentor a dedicated network of AOS Change Agents to advance operational maturity and standardized ways of working for both shop floor and management teams.


• Align local operational performance targets with cross-site (A220/A320) and central European networks to standardize best practices.

4. Regulatory Interface & Executive Governance

• Host external regulatory bodies (EASA, FAA) and internal corporate audit teams during safety and quality evaluations.


• Represent site interests in executive-level Multi-Functional Teams (MFTs), SQCDP routines, and cross-site harmonization committees.


• Execute other strategic quality and safety duties as assigned by leadership.

Your Boarding Pass:

• Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Technical Management, or a related technical discipline is required.


• 10+ years of progressive experience within international aerospace manufacturing, aircraft quality management, safety management systems, or aircraft installation environments.


• Proven track record leading multi-functional teams in a process-driven aviation culture.


• Deep operational expertise with EASA/FAA airworthiness regulations, QMS standards (EN9100/9110), and Safety Management System (SMS) implementations.


• Strong mastery of Lean manufacturing, Airbus Operating System (AOS) principles, Practical Problem Solving (PPS), Root Cause Analysis, Kaizen, and Human Factors integration.


• English language is required


• Google suite


• Management/leadership skills to control and direct a multifunction team


• Able to interface with multiple internal and external suppliers.


• High professionalism and respect for processes and procedures.


• Able to interface with multi-level of Management.


• Able to make quick decisions based on available information and Managing associated risk/threat.


• High ability to connect to the Quality Community across sites.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Engineering Management, Aerospace Engineering, or Business Administration (MBA).

Licensure/Certifications:

• N/A

Travel Required:

• 30% Domestic and International

Citizenship:

• Eligible for employment in the U.S. without sponsorship

Clearance:

• None

Physical Requirements:

• Onsite or remote: 70% onsite and 30% remote


• Vision: able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.


• Hearing: able to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on the production floor including safety warnings or alarms.


• Speaking: able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.


• Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts.


• Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 10lbs/14kgs.


• Lifting: able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 10lbs/14kgs. Pushing /


• Pulling: able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools. Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on the computer.


• Squatting / Kneeling: able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.


• Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on the production floor. Travel: able to travel independently and at short notice.


• Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents): able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces.


• Personal Protective Equipment required: Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection.


• Administrative position only PPE required: Steel-toed shoes are required for all shop floor visits, appropriate hearing/eye protection may also be required when visiting the shop floor.

A full job description will be provided to candidates who progress to the interview stage or any candidate upon request.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company's success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus Americas, Inc.

Employment Type: US - Direct Hire

Experience Level: Professional

Remote Type: On-site

Job Family: Improvement & Performance Management

Job Posting End Date: 09.09.2026

Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

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Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [e-mail].