Director Of Engineering Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Aviation, or a related technical discipline preferred; equivalent education and relevant aerospace industry experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive experience in defense or aerospace quality assurance, regulatory compliance, manufacturing quality, or aviation maintenance quality.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience managing a quality organization or regulatory compliance function.
• Demonstrated experience working within an FAA-regulated aerospace manufacturing organization holding a Part 21 Production Approval.
• Direct experience with FAA Part 145 Repair Station quality systems and regulatory requirements.
• Working knowledge of EASA Part-145 requirements, including compliance monitoring and organizational independence requirements.
• Demonstrated experience managing regulatory audits, responding to regulatory findings, and coordinating corrective actions with FAA, EASA, and customer representatives.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace quality management systems, including AS9100, AS9110, or equivalent standards.
• Demonstrated experience with root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action systems, supplier quality, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and translate them into practical organizational procedures and controls.
• Excellent leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, regulatory authorities, customers, and employees at all organizational levels.
• Independence, integrity, and willingness to address difficult quality and regulatory issues.
• Ability to influence executive leadership and operational management.
• Strong technical judgment and understanding of aviation product safety and airworthiness.
• Proactive approach to identifying risks and preventing compliance issues.
• Ability to balance regulatory requirements with practical business and operational considerations.
• Hands-on leadership style and willingness to engage in details when necessary.

Nice To Haves

• Experience overseeing multiple regulatory approvals or certifications within a single organization.
• Experience with both aerospace manufacturing and component repair or maintenance operations.
• Experience serving as or directly supporting a Part 21 Accountable Manager, FAA Part 145 Accountable Manager, or EASA Compliance Monitoring Manager.
• Experience with AS9100/AS9110 certification audits and aerospace customer audits.
• Experience implementing and maintaining risk-based quality systems and safety management processes.
• Experience managing quality organizations across multiple facilities or operating locations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain overall responsibility for the effectiveness and compliance of quality management systems supporting FAA Part 21 Production Approval and FAA/EASA Part 145 Repair Station operations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable FAA regulations, including 14 CFR Parts 21, 43, and 145, and applicable EASA Part-145 requirements.
• Maintain and oversee implementation of applicable Quality Manuals, Repair Station Manuals, Quality Control Manuals, and associated procedures.
• Ensure regulatory, approved-procedure, and customer-specific quality requirements are communicated and implemented throughout the organization.
• Monitor regulatory changes and evaluate their impact on operations, procedures, and approvals.
• Represent the Quality organization in regulatory compliance matters and coordinate with designated Accountable Managers and regulatory authorities.
• Ensure organizational responsibilities, delegated authorities, and quality reporting relationships are clearly defined and maintained.
• Oversee FAA Production Approval compliance, including organizational controls, production conformity, quality assurance, and product traceability.
• Oversee FAA Part 145 Repair Station quality control activities and ensure compliance with the Repair Station Manual, Quality Control Manual, and applicable Operations Specifications.
• Ensure EASA Part-145 compliance monitoring is implemented and maintained, and that the designated Compliance Monitoring Manager has the necessary independence, authority, resources, and organizational access.
• Coordinate regulatory inspections, audits, surveillance activities, and responses to FAA and EASA findings.
• Maintain effective working relationships with FAA and EASA representatives and other applicable regulatory authorities.
• Ensure timely notification, investigation, and resolution of reportable quality and regulatory issues.
• Establish and maintain an internal audit program covering production, repair station operations, suppliers, and supporting business functions.
• Ensure timely identification, documentation, investigation, and resolution of nonconformances and audit findings.
• Establish and maintain a CAPA process, including root cause analysis and verification of corrective-action effectiveness.
• Monitor quality performance metrics, identify adverse trends, and drive improvement initiatives.
• Ensure appropriate controls for material acceptance, inspection, product conformity, nonconforming material, configuration management, calibration, and quality records.
• Oversee supplier quality management, including supplier qualification, monitoring, and corrective-action processes.
• Promote a culture of quality, accountability, continuous improvement, and regulatory compliance.
• Report regularly to the CEO/President on regulatory compliance, quality performance, significant risks, and corrective-action activities.
• Maintain independence from Manufacturing, Operations, and Repair Station production functions while conducting quality oversight and compliance monitoring.
• Escalate significant quality and regulatory compliance concerns directly to executive leadership.
• Exercise quality-related authority, including initiating product or maintenance holds and preventing release or return to service when applicable requirements have not been satisfied, consistent with approved procedures and delegated authority.
• Partner with functional leaders to ensure corrective actions are implemented and sustained.
• Lead, develop, and mentor the Quality organization, ensuring appropriate technical competency, staffing, and succession planning.
• Provide executive management with objective assessments of quality-system effectiveness and the company's regulatory compliance posture.