Chief Inspector

Metrea•Tampa, FL

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas. The Aerospace Engineering Group (AERO) provides an integrated, end-to-end capability for the rapid modification and fielding of mission-specific aircraft. The Airborne Asset Adaptation (A3) Cell acts as the central command and coordination hub, managing requirements and external interfaces from inception to operational delivery. Specialized technical execution is delivered by the Aircraft Integration Centre (AIC), a FAA Part 145 facility focused on airframe modification, and Aerospace Design (ASD), which provides organic design engineering and FAA-authorized certification. MAIC is seeking an experienced and authoritative Chief Inspector to lead the Inspection and Quality Assurance functions within its FAA Part 145 / Part 21 supporting Part 21 design and modification activities. The Chief Inspector is fully responsible for airworthiness determination, inspection processes, and regulatory compliance of all maintenance, modification, fabrication, and integration work performed at MAIC. This role ensures that all work is accomplished in accordance with approved technical data, repair station manuals, FAA regulations, and MAIC quality standards, maintaining continuous airworthiness across all supported aircraft and components. The Chief Inspector acts as the primary interface with the FAA on inspection and quality matters and serves as a key technical authority supporting engineering, maintenance, fabrication, and program execution activities.

Requirements

8+ years of progressively responsible experience in aviation quality, safety, and/or compliance within complex operational environments
Significant experience in a FAA Part 145 maintenance and/or Part 21 modification or production environment
Strong working knowledge of FAA regulatory frameworks relevant to maintenance and modification, including FAA Part 145 and applicable elements of Part 21
Proven experience implementing, operating, and improving formal management systems (QMS, IMS or equivalent)
Strong understanding of aircraft structural modification, avionics integration, and fabrication activities
Ability to read, interpret, and apply engineering drawings, STCs, DER data, and other approved technical data
Strong technical writing and documentation skills
Proficiency with standard enterprise IT systems and electronic work management tools
Experience providing independent assurance and constructive challenge to senior operational leadership
Strong written, verbal, and executive‑level communication skills, with the ability to brief complex issues clearly
Must have FAA A&P License
Eligible to work legally in the United States and able to obtain and maintain any required background checks or customer‑mandated security clearances
Willingness to work primarily onsite in a hangar and flight‑line environment at Tampa International Airport, with occasional travel as required

Nice To Haves

FAA IA and/or DAR authorizations

Responsibilities

Serves as the Repair Station’s primary authority for inspection, airworthiness, and return‑to‑service determinations
Ensures full compliance with FAA Part 145 / Part 21 requirements, OpSpecs, Repair Station manuals, and FAA-approved procedures
Classifies repairs and alterations as major or minor and ensures proper documentation and approval paths are executed
Oversees and performs required inspections on aircraft, components, assemblies, fabricated parts, and installed systems
Reviews and approves maintenance records, work orders, inspection reports, conformities, and RTS documentation
Ensures Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) are received, reviewed, and properly controlled prior to modification execution
Supports Part 21 prototype, fabrication, and modification activities by ensuring inspection and conformity processes align with approved design data
Partners with engineering to review drawings, work instructions, and technical packages for QC compliance and regulatory compliance
Supports conformity efforts, configuration control, and first-article or prototype inspections as required
Hires, leads, mentors, and develops the Inspection team
Facilitates, with QA, internal audits and surveillance of maintenance, fabrication, and integration activities
Ensures entries within maintenance tracking and quality systems are appropriate for the relevant airworthiness & RTS context of each system (e.g., AMOS, Veryon, traveler systems)
Maintains control of calibrated tools, inspection equipment, and records
Supports continuous improvement of MAIC’s ISO 9001 / AS9100 Quality Management System, as applicable