Aircraft Quality Assurance Manager - Internal Only

University of North Dakota•Grand Forks, ND

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager of Quality Assurance and Compliance is responsible for the overall operation of the Quality Assurance Department for the UND Aerospace FAA Part 145 Repair Station. The role has final authority to release aircraft airframes, engines, propellers, appliances, and components or parts to service. It directs and plans inspection standards, methods, and procedures to ensure the repair station complies with applicable federal aviation regulations, manufacturers’ specifications, and recommendations. The position is open to internal candidates only; external candidates will not be considered. It is an onsite role at the Grand Forks, North Dakota campus, with an annual salary of $85,000 or more. The position is non-exempt and eligible for overtime. The FAA-designated Quality Assurance Manager supports safe aircraft operations for UND Aerospace students and customers by maintaining high standards of workmanship and professionalism. The manager oversees quality assurance and regulatory compliance for a fleet of more than 140 airplanes and helicopters, supervises Quality Assurance personnel and maintenance compliance, and oversees inspections, aircraft records, return-to-service procedures, parts acceptance, and compliance with the repair station manual and FAA requirements. The role also coordinates with aircraft manufacturers, vendors, FAA inspectors, satellite operations, and maintenance providers, and may need to respond to aircraft incidents, accidents, or other emergencies in the absence of the Director of Maintenance.

Requirements

Associate degree in Aviation Maintenance or equivalent education and/or experience.
FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate.
Eight years of experience as a certified A&P technician working in general aviation.
Three years of experience with an Inspection Authorization certificate.
Meet the currency requirement of FAR Part 65.83.
Successfully complete a Criminal History Background Check.
Verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
The position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.
Advanced understanding of aviation maintenance procedures and techniques.
Ability to read, understand, and follow technical publications, electrical schematics, troubleshooting charts, and aviation technical data.
Ability to operate diagnostic equipment and analyze data.
Competence operating specialty equipment used to maintain aircraft and performing hands-on work.
Good interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Positive leadership skills.
Ability to lift or move bulky or heavy objects weighing up to 75 pounds.
Attention to detail.
Computer skills.
High level of mechanical aptitude.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Maintenance or a related field.
Three years of experience working in an FAA Part 145 Repair Station.
Experience designated as a Quality Control Manager for an FAA Part 145 Repair Station.
Experience working on Piper single- and multi-engine aircraft, Cessna single-engine aircraft, and rotary-wing aircraft.
FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School education.

Responsibilities

Serve as the FAA-designated Quality Assurance Manager for UND Aerospace FAA Repair Station OG5R092N and UND Aerospace Foundation Repair Station OG5D092N.
Supervise, assist, and direct personnel assigned to the Quality Assurance Department.
Oversee quality assurance and regulatory compliance for the UND Aerospace aircraft fleet of more than 140 airplanes and helicopters.
Ensure aircraft inspections are properly performed and inspection records, reports, and forms are completed.
Maintain continuity of inspection responsibility when personnel shifts or assignments change.
Oversee compliance for FAA-approved Supplemental Type Certificate installations, FAA Form 337 major repairs and alterations, and FAA-approved field approvals.
Authorize qualified inspectors, issue Quality Control stamps, and maintain and secure the authorized inspection personnel roster and stamp control log.
Supervise preliminary, in-progress, hidden-damage, and approval-for-return-to-service inspections of products maintained under the FAA-approved Part 145 Repair Station.
Research and comply with Airworthiness Directives, manufacturers’ Service Bulletins and Service Letters, and applicable regulations.
Ensure compliance with FAA regulations for Part 145 repair stations.
Supervise scheduled airplane and helicopter inspections according to manufacturers’ recommendations, federal aviation regulations, and UND Aerospace maintenance policies and procedures.
Determine component life limits and inspection intervals, and identify proper component and part applications.
Maintain current files of relevant regulations, specifications, type certification sheets, and Airworthiness Directives.
Ensure removed parts and components are tagged and identified according to the Part 145 Repair Station Manual.
Oversee aircraft return-to-service procedures following FAR 91.213(d) deferrals and Part 91 Minimum Equipment List procedures.
Ensure periodic checks are performed on specialized inspection tools and calibrated precision test equipment.
Attend and promote UND Aerospace and its Maintenance Department at open houses, training sessions, vision-planning activities, student events, and family weekends.
In the Director of Maintenance’s absence, be available for aircraft incidents, accidents, and other emergencies requiring maintenance department assistance.
Oversee compliance by more than 20 maintenance technicians with FAA regulations, operational procedures, and manufacturers’ guidelines.
Oversee maintenance activities including discrepancy correction, troubleshooting and repair, use of schematics and troubleshooting procedures, parts identification, sheet-metal repairs, hydraulic and landing-gear maintenance, powerplant repairs, component repairs, weight-and-balance calculations, ground operations and engine checks, and propeller servicing.
Liaise with aircraft manufacturers, vendors, the FAA, UND satellite operations, and maintenance providers.
Initiate written and verbal contact with aircraft manufacturers and satellite maintenance providers to procure repairs, modifications, and improvements that enhance aircraft reliability and efficiency.
Represent UND Aerospace in discussions with aircraft manufacturers about product improvement, repair methods, and safety or hazard corrections.
Complete and file FAA Malfunction and Defect Reports when a part or product fails.
Maintain a professional working relationship with local FAA Principal Maintenance Inspectors and coordinate with them on repair station changes, updates, and concerns.
Monitor maintenance performed on UND aircraft based at satellite operations.
Supervise electronic record entry and ensure accurate, timely data entry for FAA compliance.
Review completed work orders for signatures, inspector stamps, dates, and return-to-service statements compliant with CFR 43 and the FAA Part 145 Repair Station.
Ensure work orders are numerically organized, filed, and safely stored according to repair station requirements.
Account for open work orders monthly and ensure parts are requisitioned to the correct work-order item.
Serve as final authority for incoming inspection of aircraft parts delivered to UND Aerospace.
Conduct and document preliminary, hidden-damage, in-progress, and final inspections of aircraft articles purchased by the repair station.
Complete final acceptance of incoming aircraft materials, supplies, new parts, and articles worked on outside the repair station.
Identify non-approved, condemned, or unairworthy parts and determine disposition of parts removed from aircraft.