Aviation Quality Director: FAA-Compliance & QMS Leader

AAR Corp; North Carolina; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan with company

Job summary

Aircraft Reconfig Technologies seeks a Director of Quality to lead the QMS, ensuring FAA compliance and alignment with customer specifications across engineering, manufacturing, repair, and certification. You will drive continuous improvement, audits, and MRB processes while partnering with FAA and customers.

Ideal candidates bring ten+ years in aviation quality, strong leadership, and expertise in AS9100/ISO systems, with ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Engineering, Aviation, Business, Operations, or related discipline.
• 2
• Minimum ten (10) years of aviation quality, manufacturing, certification, or regulatory compliance experience.
• Minimum five (5) years of leadership experience managing quality organizations and cross-functional teams.
• Experience interfacing with the FAA on Part 21, Part 145, PAH, and certification-related activities.
• Strong working knowledge of 14 CFR Parts 21, 25, 43, 45, 145, and 183.
• Experience managing quality systems in FAA-regulated manufacturing, modification, and/or repair organizations.
• Working knowledge of AS9100, ISO-based quality systems, auditing practices, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, certification data, bills of materials, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, root cause analysis, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical documentation and procedure development.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, quality management tools, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to travel domestic and internationally as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and maintain the Quality Management System to ensure compliance with FAA regulations, ODA requirements, customer standards, and contractual obligations.
• Establish and continuously improve quality policies, procedures, inspection programs, and quality metrics to drive operational excellence and product conformity.
• Provide leadership for all quality assurance and inspection activities, including receiving, in-process, first article, and final inspection.
• Serve as the primary quality interface with the FAA, customers, auditors, and regulatory authorities, ensuring successful audits and timely closure of corrective actions.
• Lead root cause investigations, corrective actions, preventive actions, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects and improve operational performance.
• Oversee the disposition of nonconforming material through MRB activities and associated risk assessment processes.
• Partner with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Repair Station leadership to ensure quality objectives are integrated into all business activities.
• Develop and monitor quality performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting to drive accountability and informed decision-making.
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing quality organization through staffing, training, coaching, and succession planning.
• Manage departmental resources, budgets, and capital requirements to support quality objectives and business growth.
• Ensure inspection personnel are trained, qualified, and current with regulatory, customer, and company requirements.
• Foster a culture of compliance, safety, ownership, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Support strategic initiatives, business growth activities, customer pursuits, and certification programs as required.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Skills

Quality leadership

FAA interfacing

Auditing

Root cause analysis

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Associate degree in Engineering/Aviation/Business/Operations

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (preferred)

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Aircraft Reconfig Technologies seeks a Director of Quality to lead the QMS, ensuring FAA compliance and alignment with customer specifications across engineering, manufacturing, repair, and certification. You will drive continuous improvement, audits, and MRB processes while partnering with FAA and customers.

Ideal candidates bring ten+ years in aviation quality, strong leadership, and expertise in AS9100/ISO systems, with ability to travel domestically and internationally.