Director Quality Assurance Maintenance & Engineering

Guided by our purpose, core values, and leadership principles, we are creating an airline people love. Our corporate teams set the strategies and operational plans to ensure the success of our company. Whether we use our expertise in accounting, human resources, finance, planning, legal, marketing, or any of our operational divisions, our shared passion for travel and our guests is what motivates us to achieve excellence each day.

About the role

The Director Quality Assurance (QA), Maintenance & Engineering (M&E) sets the long-term strategy and oversees the financial performance of the quality assurance program for Maintenance & Engineering at Alaska Airlines (AS). As a people leader, this role establishes strategic goals and direction for a team of leaders to assess operational performance and compliance, identify and audit process risks, monitor emerging risks, uphold rigorous audit standards, and drive continuous improvement and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Set long-term strategy for the M&E QA project portfolio and develop budget for QA initiatives, driving disciplined execution within time and cost constraints while maintaining and exceeding high-quality standards and auditee confidence.
• Establish reporting metrics and data visualizations that provide feedback to the Alaska Airlines Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP), Engineering process oversight, and Safety Management System (SMS).
• Develop the long-term, risk-based QA surveillance plan to ensure coverage of all auditing requirements including:
  • Alaska Airlines internal Maintenance & Engineering practices.
  • Ongoing surveillance and approval of third-party maintenance providers.
  • Reviews supporting the Coordinating Agency for Supplier Evaluation (C.A.S.E.) program.
  • IATA Fuel Quality Pool (IFQP) assessments.
• Partner with the Managing Director (MD) Operational Audit to conduct cross-divisional organizational risk assessments, evaluate staffing levels and requirements, develop and adjust the annual audit plan(s), and recommend plan changes based on audit results and evolving business priorities.
• Oversee QA and surveillance activities to ensure consistent, high-confidence audit outcomes, rigorous root cause determination, and clear, actionable findings for senior and executive leadership, while partnering with Alaska Safety to leverage the Safety Management System (SMS) to quantify, prioritize, and mitigate operational risk.
• Review and issue formal written reports, backed by adequate evidence, to support audit conclusions.
• Provide executive-level reporting on the status, progress, and effectiveness of audit corrective actions to ensure timely, sustainable closure and risk reduction.
• Support the Safety Review Board (SRB) and Executive Safety Review Board (ESRB) by presenting summaries of audit results, root cause analysis, and trend identification.
• Develop, modify and oversee the M&E QA training plan to include: Initial Training & on-the-job (OJT) requirements, recurrent training, and, as required, specialized training for external auditor certifications (C.A.S.E., IFQP, etc.).
• Oversee relationship and serve as liaison to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on all M&E-related compliance.
• Influence and provide strategic recommendations to leadership to develop risk-based tools and techniques to strengthen operational programs, processes, and controls.

Requirements

• 8 years of experience in operational process auditing, or equivalent experience in maintenance leadership.
• 5 years of leadership experience, with at least 2 of those years directly leading people.
• Bachelor’s degree with a focus in a discipline related to this role, or an additional two years of relevant training/experience in lieu of this degree.
• Strong analytical skills, process-driven, and a strong safety advocate.
• Excellent communication (e.g., verbal, written, and listening) and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum age of 18.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Preferred Qualifications

• Valid FAA Certification (A&P, Powerplant, or Repairman) and/or C.A.S.E. Auditor certification.
• Proven ability to quickly understand complex processes, effectively scope assessments, and lead high energy, success-oriented teams.
• Detail oriented and highly organized, with ability to multi-task and work independently with limited guidance in a fast-paced environment.
• Aviation, safety program management, or Safety Management Systems (SMS) experience.
• Auditor certification or training (e.g., Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), ISO Quality Auditor).

Leadership Expectations

• Embody our values to own safety, do the right thing, be caring and kind, and deliver performance.
• Proven ability to lead with, engage, and establish credibility with business partners at all levels.
• Ability to develop and lead a team forward in their individual development.

Pay

Salary Range: $172,550 - $267,450 / year

Total Target Compensation Range (including Bonus & Equity): $224,315 - $347,685

Your pay will be based on multiple factors, including and not limited to location, your relevant experience/level, experience level, and skillset while balancing internal equity relative to other Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon employees.

Benefits

• Free stand-by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air with high priority status
• Select number of confirmed travel credits provided annually
• Comprehensive well-being programs including medical, dental and vision benefits
• Generous 401k match program
• Annual bonus plans
• Generous holiday and paid time off

Schedule

Full-Time

Location

Seattle - Hangar

Employees working at an airport or maintenance hangar will be required to obtain a SIDA badge provided by the airport authority and maintain good standing in order to keep their SIDA badge. If an employee does not qualify for a SIDA badge or has their SIDA badge pulled from them, the employee will be terminated.