Chief Inspector

Prime Engine Accessories; Bristol (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Prime Engine Accessories in Bristol, CT seeks an Inspection System Leader with RTS authority to ensure every engine accessory released to service is airworthy, properly documented, and approved per 14 CFR and EASA Part 145 requirements.

Reporting to the Director of Maintenance, the Chief Inspector will independently authorize airworthiness releases (FAA 8130-3, EASA Form 1) and supervise Receiving, In-Process, Final Inspections, and CAPA activities within the quality system.

Qualifications

• FAA A&P certification required; IA strongly preferred.
• Experience with 14 CFR Part 145 and EASA Part 145 inspection requirements.
• Proven record in aviation MRO inspections and airworthiness release processes.

Responsibilities

• Establish, implement, and maintain the Repair Station Inspection System per 14 CFR 145.211(c)(1)(vii) and EASA Part 145 requirements.
• Exercise Return-to-Service authority and sign FAA 8130-3 and EASA Form 1 releases for work orders.
• Direct Receiving, In-Process, Final Inspections and Airworthiness Release Personnel.
• Ensure inspections align with current CMM revisions, ADs, SBs, and approved documentation.
• Coordinate RTS planning with Operations Manager and oversee scheduling and production flow.
• Review inspector stamps and authorization lists; manage dispositions including acceptance and quarantine of non-conforming parts.
• Participate in CAPA closure and coordination with Head of Quality.

Skills

FAA A&P

IA (preferred)

EASA Part 66

Lead inspector experience

CFR Part 145 knowledge

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Prime Engine Accessories | Reports to: Director of Maintenance |FLSA: Exempt

Regulatory Reference: 14 CFR 145.211(c)(1)(vii), 145.213, 145.155, 145.157

Role Summary

Serve as the Inspection System Leader and Return-to-Service (RTS) Authority for Prime Engine Accessories — ensuring every engine accessory released to service is airworthy, properly documented, and approved in compliance with 14 CFR / EASA Part 145, applicable CMMs, ADs, and SBs. While reporting administratively to the Director of Maintenance, the Chief Inspector exercises independent inspection and airworthiness release authority as required by 14 CFR 145.211(c)(1)(vii) and 145.211(d) — inspection decisions and quality holds are not subject to override by production management.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish, implement, and maintain the Repair Station Inspection System per 14 CFR 145.211(c)(1)(vii) and applicable EASA Part 145 requirements.
• Exercise Return-to-Service authority (14 CFR 145.157) — approve and sign FAA Form 8130-3 airworthiness approval tags and EASA Form 1 release documentation for all completed work orders.
• Direct and oversee Receiving Inspection, In-Process Inspection, Final Inspection, and Airworthiness Release Personnel (14 CFR 145.157).
• Ensure all inspection activities are performed in accordance with current CMM revisions, applicable ADs, SBs, and approved work-order documentation.
• Maintain daily dotted-line operational coordination with the Operations Manager on inspection scheduling, production flow, technical issues, work stoppages, and RTS planning.
• Review and authorize inspector stamps and task authorizations; manage receiving inspection dispositions including acceptance, rejection, and quarantine of non-conforming parts.
• Participate in CAPA processes — review, approve, and verify closure of non-conformances and inspection-related corrective actions in coordination with the Head of Quality.
• Support FAA/EASA surveillance activities, repair station certificate inspections, and customer quality audits related to the inspection and RTS system.
• Ensure inspector qualification and training records are current per 14 CFR 145.163, coordinating with the Head of Quality's Training & Qualification Records function.
• Escalate unresolved airworthiness concerns directly to the Accountable Manager when they cannot be resolved within the normal production/maintenance channel.
• Maintain the Airworthiness Release Personnel authorization list; ensure all releases comply with 14 CFR 145.157.

Qualifications

• FAA A&P Mechanic certificate required; Inspection Authorization (IA) strongly preferred.
• EASA Part 66 certifying staff license (Category B1, B2, or higher) preferred for dual-authority (FAA/EASA) operations.
• 7+ years in aviation MRO inspection, with 3+ years in a lead inspector or Chief Inspector role at a certificated Part 145 repair station.
• In-depth working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 145 (§145.155, §145.157, §145.211, §145.213) and EASA Part 145 inspection requirements.
• Extensive hands-on experience with engine accessories — fuel controls, actuators, pumps, valves, IDGs, and related LRUs.
• Strong knowledge of CMM-based inspection procedures, AD compliance verification, and SB applicability evaluation.
• Proficiency in completing FAA Form 8130-3 and EASA Form 1 documentation; experience with work-order management systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365.

Reporting Structure & Authority

• Reports administratively to the Director of Maintenance.
• Direct reports: Receiving Inspection personnel, In-Process Inspection personnel, Final Inspection personnel, and Airworthiness Release Personnel (14 CFR 145.157).
• Dotted-line daily operational coordination with the Operations Manager for inspection scheduling, production flow, technical issues, work stoppages, and RTS planning.
• Direct escalation path to the Accountable Manager for unresolved airworthiness concerns that cannot be resolved through normal channels — this escalation right is independent of the administrative reporting line to the Director of Maintenance.
• Sole signing authority for all Return-to-Service documentation, FAA Form 8130-3 airworthiness approval tags, and EASA Form 1 releases at Prime Engine Accessories.
• Independent authority to place and sustain quality holds on any work order or part per 14 CFR 145.211(d); holds cannot be overridden by production management and must be resolved through the quality system before work proceeds or parts are released.

Key Performance Metrics

• Airworthiness release accuracy — post-release discrepancy or escape rate.
• Inspector qualification and training currency rate (14 CFR 145.163).
• Receiving inspection rejection rate and hold disposition cycle time.
• In-process hold rate and resolution time.
• Internal and external audit findings related to the Inspection System.

ABOUT PRIME

Prime Engine Accessories, Bristol, CT, is a newly launched FAA Part 145 repair station in its early startup phase. As we build a world-class MRO operation from the ground up, we are looking for professionals who are not only technically capable but also adaptable, self-motivated, and comfortable in a dynamic, evolving environment. A high degree of ownership, initiative, and tolerance for ambiguity is essential to succeed in this role.