Aviation Quality & Regulatory Executive

First Class Air Company; Louisville, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

First Class Air is seeking a seasoned VP of Quality to lead quality and regulatory strategy across aviation operations. The VP will partner with executive leadership to embed quality into strategy, risk management, and continuous improvement across FAA/EASA/UKCAA regulated functions.

You will oversee audits, CAPA, airworthiness, and quality systems across repair, manufacturing, and services, driving enterprise-wide governance and performance metrics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Engineering, Quality, Business, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in aviation, aerospace, or other highly regulated environments.
• 7+ years of progressive leadership inQuality, Regulatory Compliance, Safety, Inspection, or related functions.
• Experience leading Quality organizations across multiple locations.
• Extensive knowledge of FAA regulations, particularly Part 145, Part 43, and Part 21.
• Knowledge of EASA and/or UK CAA requirements preferred.
• Experience working directly with FAA, EASA, UK CAA, or other aviation regulatory authorities.
• Demonstrated experience leading regulatory and customer audits.
• Strong understanding of Quality Management Systems, CAPA, root cause analysis, risk management, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and implement enterprise-level policies and processes.
• Strong executive communication, leadership, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to influence leaders across multiple companies without relying solely on direct authority.
• Ability to interpret technical data, regulatory requirements, manuals, procedures, and engineering documentation.

Responsibilities

• Establish enterprise quality strategy and leadership across the holdings group.
• Oversee regulatory compliance with FAA, EASA, UK CAA, OSHA and others.
• Maintain enterprise Quality Management System framework.
• Standardize quality processes across operating companies where appropriate.
• Oversee audits and CAPA processes.
• Ensure airworthiness and related documentation controls.
• Monitor supplier quality trends and customer quality expectations.
• Serve as an executive escalation point for critical customer quality matters.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory Compliance

Quality Management

Audits

Airworthiness

CAPA

Root Cause Analysis

Strategic Planning

Executive Communication

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Engineering, Quality, Business

Job description

First Class Air is seeking a seasoned VP of Quality to lead quality and regulatory strategy across aviation operations. The VP will partner with executive leadership to embed quality into strategy, risk management, and continuous improvement across FAA/EASA/UKCAA regulated functions.

You will oversee audits, CAPA, airworthiness, and quality systems across repair, manufacturing, and services, driving enterprise-wide governance and performance metrics.