Director of Quality and Compliance
FAA Part 145 Repair Station — Landing Gear & Flight Controls
Position Summary
The Director of Quality and Compliance is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the Quality Management System (QMS) at an FAA Part 145 certificated repair station specializing in landing gear overhaul and flight control component repair. This role ensures full regulatory compliance with FAA, EASA, and other applicable civil aviation authority requirements, drives continuous improvement across quality and safety programs, and serves as a primary point of contact for regulatory audits, customer quality reviews, and internal corrective action processes. The Director partners closely with Operations, Engineering, and Safety leadership to maintain airworthiness, protect certification status, and support on-time, defect-free delivery of critical flight safety components.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure continued compliance with 14 CFR Part 145 and associated Quality Management System (QMS) requirements
- Maintain and update the RSM, QCM, Procedures, Forms, and Capability List in accordance with ISO, customer, FAA, and applicable foreign civil aviation authority (EASA, UK CAA, CAAC, etc.) requirements
- Serve as primary liaison for FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) surveillance, EASA/bilateral authority audits, and customer quality audits
- Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) responses to regulatory findings, audit observations, and customer complaints
- Continuously improve the QMS, including AS9100/AS9110 alignment where applicable
- Oversee inspection, calibration, and non-destructive testing (NDT) programs specific to landing gear and flight control component overhaul
- Manage the Return to Service (RTS) process, ensuring airworthiness documentation, FAA Form 8130-3 issuance, and traceability meet regulatory and customer requirements
- Maintain oversight of FOD (Foreign Object Debris) prevention, tool equivalency validation, and training program
- Drive data-driven quality metrics (scrap rates, rework, on-time RTS, audit findings) and report trends to executive leadership
- Foster a culture of compliance, safety, and continuous improvement across the shop floor and engineering functions
- Work closely with Operations leadership to balance throughput, WIP flow, and quality/compliance requirements without compromising airworthiness
- Partner with Engineering on disposition of non-conforming material, engineering order (EO) compliance, and repair scheme approvals
- Support Safety Management System (SMS) integration, including OSHA and NFPA-aligned safety compliance where it intersects with quality processes
- Collaborate with Business Development and Customer Program Management on customer-specific quality requirements and audit readiness
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Engineering, or related field
- Minimum 10 years of progressive quality/compliance experience in an FAA Part 145 repair station or OEM MRO environment
- Minimum 5 years in a quality leadership role with direct responsibility for regulatory compliance and audit management
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with landing gear and/or flight control component overhaul, repair, or manufacturing
- Deep working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 145, Part 21, and applicable EASA Part 145/21 requirements
- Experience managing RSM/QCM documentation and FAA/EASA surveillance relationships
- Strong understanding of AS9100/AS9110 quality standards
Preferred
- Master's Degree in Aviation Management, Engineer, Business, or related field
- Six Sigma or Lean certification
- Experience with multiple civil aviation authority approvals (EASA, CAAC, etc.)
- Prior role as an Accountable Manager or delegated quality signatory
- Background in NDT program oversight for high-stress structural components
Pay: $123,000.00 - $143,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- AD&D insurance
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
