Senior Quality Assurance Manager

Exemplar Global; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

LAUNCH in Wichita, KS is seeking a Senior Manager Quality Assurance to lead the QA department, uphold 14 CFR Part 145 compliance, and ensure airworthiness of serviced articles. This role reports to the SVP Quality, Safety & Training and guides QA processes across the repair station.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in aviation maintenance, 3+ years as inspector at a Part 145 operation, and AS9100/9110 familiarity; IA or ASQ certifications are a plus.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in aviation maintenance with inspection experience at a Part 145 station or equivalent.
• 2+ years supervising inspection or quality personnel.
• Strong knowledge of Part 43, 145, 65, and related FAA advisory circulars.
• Experience writing procedures and leading FAA or customer audits.

Responsibilities

• Maintain independent oversight of the Quality System and continuous development of the QMS.
• Ensure compliance with aviation regulations and airworthiness of serviced articles.
• Own the Quality Control Manual; draft revisions and coordinate RSM changes with the Accountable Manager.
• Plan and run internal audits covering RSM/QCM and AS9100/AS9110 requirements at least annually.
• Manage CAPA, root-cause analysis, and verification of effectiveness.
• Submit SDRs within 96 hours of a serious failure or defect.
• Serve as primary contact for FAA surveillance, customer audits, and foreign authorities.
• Track quality metrics and report to the Accountable Manager monthly.
• Audit and approve external vendors and contract maintenance providers.

Skills

Leadership

QA Management

Auditing

Regulatory knowledge

Documentation

Communication

Travel 40%

FAA inspections

Education

Bachelor's degree in aviation maintenance or related field

Associate degree in aviation maintenance

Tools

MS Office

Maintenance tracking software

Job description

LAUNCH is one of the fastestgrowing aviation staffing and aircraft services firms in the country and as a result we are adding a Senior Manager Quality Assurance (QA) to our Team. If you are career minded, have a positive attitude and a strong desire for success, then we have a rewarding career opportunity for you!

The Senior Manager Quality Assurance (QA) reports to the Senior Vice President of Quality, Safety, & Training with overall responsibility for the daily management of the Quality Assurance department. The Quality Assurance (QA) Manager owns the repair station's quality system under 14 CFR Part 145. The role ensures that every article returned to service is airworthy and that the station stays in continuous compliance with its Repair Station Manual (RSM), Quality Control Manual (QCM), operations specifications and customer requirements.

LAUNCH offers a competitive salary and benefits package. We offer a high energy, professional, flexible work culture with opportunities to to showcase your talents while growing with LAUNCH.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibility of this role is to maintain independent oversight of the Quality System, continued development of the QMS, contnous compliance with aviation regulations, and guarantee the airworthiness of all serviced articles.

• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve the quality control system required by §145.211.
• Own the Quality Control Manual; draft revisions and coordinate RSM revisions with the Accountable Manager
• Submit manual revisions to the FAA as required and control distribution, so only current revisions are in use.
• Maintain the capability list and coordinate capability self-evaluations before adding articles
• Approve and audit outside vendors and contract maintenance providers
• Plan and run the internal audit program covering every RSM/QCM procedure, including AS9100/9110 requirements at least annually.
• Manage corrective and preventive action (CAPA), root-cause analysis, and verification of effectiveness.
• Submit Service Difficulty Reports (SDR) within 96 hours of discovering a serious failure, malfunction or defect
• Serve as primary point of contact for FAA surveillance and inspections, customer audits and any foreign authority audits
• Track quality metrics (escapes, repeat findings, audit closure time) and report them to the Accountable Manager monthly
• Maintain compliance with EASA Part-145 / Maintenance Annex Guidance, TCCA or other foreign authority supplements as required.
• Maintain customer-specific quality requirements (air carrier contracts, AS9110 certification)
• Conduct on-site audits and provide surveillance at LAUNCH Teams and Repair Station work sites
• Generate reports, track and monitor success of internal corrective action and customer corrective action initiatives
• Escort customer and or FAA auditors during routine and start up audits
• Assist with maintaining the LAUNCH Repair Station’s Approved Vendors List
• Assist SVP Quality, Safety & Training with department budget and finances
• Self-starter with a team mentality and culture driven mindset
• Support an environment in which quality, safety, and compliance is everyone's concern
• Perform other duties as assigned by the SVP Quality, Safety & Training

KNOWLEDDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Self-starting, goal-oriented individual
• Multitasking and organizational skills
• Ability to build rapport with both internal Team Members, government regulatory agencies and customers
• Thorough knowledge of 14 CFR Parts 1, 21, 43, 65, 120 and 145, and related Advisory Circulars (e.g., AC 145-9, AC 43-9, AC 20-62).
• Working knowledge of FAA Forms 8130-3, 337 and 8120-11, and SDR reporting.
• Skill in auditing, root-cause analysis (5-Why, fishbone) and CAPA management.
• Clear technical writing for manuals, procedures and audit reports.
• Ability to hold the line on airworthiness decisions under schedule pressure, professionally and without bias.
• Proficiency with maintenance tracking / ERP systems and Microsoft Office.
• Effective communicator with technicians, customers and FAA inspectors alike.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to travel up to 40% of the time
• Meticulous approach to work with an eye for detail
• Ability to maintain high-quality work and meet strict deadlines
• Strong computer skills; proficiency in Microsoft® Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Must be able to self-supervise and maintain the highest professional communication and appearance standards
• Ability to adhere to LAUNCH’s Mission and Values

MINIMUM EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• FAA Mechanic certificate with Airframe and Powerplant ratings, or Repairman certificate (Part 65), sufficient to hold inspection and return-to-service authority under §145.155 and §145.157.
• 7+ years in aviation maintenance, including 3+ years as an inspector at a Part 145 repair station or Part 121/135 operator.
• 2+ years supervising inspection or quality personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to read, understand and apply Part 43, Part 145, ADs, CMMs and manufacturer data, in English
• Hands-on experience writing manual procedures and leading FAA or customer audits.
• Eligible to access the facility and work on articles under applicable export-control (ITAR/EAR) rules, if required by station work scope.

Preferred

• Associate or bachelor's degree in aviation maintenance, engineering or related field.
• FAA Inspection Authorization (IA).
• ASQ certification (CQA, CQE or CMQ/OE) or AS9100/AS9110 lead auditor training.
• Experience with EASA Part-145 or other foreign authority approvals.
• Experience with the specific articles on the station's capability list [e.g., landing gear, avionics, engines, components].
• Training in root-cause analysis, human factors, and Safety Management Systems (SMS).