Director Quality Control / Chief Inspector

AAR Corp. (NYSE: AIR) is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company that employs more than 6,000 people across over 60 sites in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago, Illinois area, AAR supports commercial and government customers in more than 100 countries through four operating segments: Parts Supply, Integrated Solutions, Repair and Engineering, and Expeditionary Services. AAR’s purpose is to empower people to build innovative aerospace solutions today so you can safely reach your destination tomorrow.

About the role

The Director of Quality Control/Chief Inspector is responsible for providing guidance with and in compliance with all FAA rules and regulations applicable to AAR granted under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This role reports to the Vice President of Regulatory Compliance and oversees the Quality Control department, including Production Control (GSO, LCQ only), Aircraft Records, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), and Technical Library. In the absence of the Director of Quality Control/Chief Inspector, the Vice President of Regulatory Compliance assumes responsibility and delegates authority to qualified personnel to release aircraft for service after repair inspections, in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 145, 43, and applicable air carrier manuals. The Director of Quality Control/Chief Inspector holds final authority for the release to service of airframes, engines, appliances, and component parts.

Responsibilities

• Direct planning and lay out details of daily operations for the Quality Control Department, including inspection standards, methods, and procedures, ensuring compliance with all applicable Federal Aviation Regulations, manufacturer recommendations, and customer policies.
• Coordinate functions within various departments through managers to achieve efficient processing and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Ensure all inspections are properly performed on completed work before release to the owner/operator, and that inspection records, reports, and forms are properly executed.
• Prevent the installation of defective or un-airworthy parts in any component or unit released by the repair station.
• Assure proper execution of FAA Form 337 and maintenance releases for all items released to service by the repair station.
• Ensure proper tagging and identification of all repaired/removed parts and adherence to procedures for such parts.
• Oversee final acceptance of all incoming material, including new parts, supplies, and airworthiness of articles worked on outside the station by contract.
• Maintain the Repair Station Manual (RSM) and Quality Control Manual (QCM) in accurate, revised status.
• Maintain a roster of Supervisory and Authorized Inspection Personnel, updating it within five working days of any changes (termination, reassignment, or addition).
• Maintain a summary of employment for all personnel listed on the roster.
• Keep up-to-date files of Delegated RII Authority from air carriers.
• Ensure proper training for all Inspection personnel and assign only qualified personnel to appropriate duties.
• Coordinate with the Project Manager to clarify the scope of work/maintenance requirements and liaise with customer representatives to prevent misinterpretation.
• Issue and control Inspection stamps.
• Act as an authorized representative on behalf of the repair station.
• Identify and evaluate quality problems and initiate corrective actions to resolve them.
• Maintain files on repair orders and inspection forms for easy retrieval.
• Maintain access to pertinent FAA specifications and Airworthiness Directives.
• Obtain and maintain required technical data for all units overhauled or repaired by the repair station.
• Serve as a backup to the Supervisor Technical Library for the Technical Data Control Program.
• Promote a culture of safety by ensuring compliance with AAR Safety Manual guidelines (e.g., Confined Space, lock out-tag out).
• Ensure accountability to company, FAA, and customer policies, work rules, and regulations (e.g., Repair Station Manual, Quality Control Manual, Airworthiness Agreements).
• Schedule inspection workforce to ensure adequate coverage for each project.
• Manage operations efficiently to eliminate waste and improve productivity.
• Ensure aircraft and surrounding areas are in a safe condition for work.
• Coordinate with other repair station departments to ensure smooth workflow.
• Provide quality oversight and interface with project management to ensure adequate QC support coverage.
• Maintain awareness of aircraft induction schedules to ensure adequate Quality Support coverage during primary inspections.
• Collect shift performance data in quality, compliance, cost, and schedule.
• Resolve conflicts between inspection and other departments.
• Ensure fair treatment of all Quality Control personnel in accordance with AAR Human Resources policies.
• Coordinate and investigate root cause analyses for internal and external audit findings in the Quality Control Department.
• Correct timekeeping errors for assigned personnel as required.
• Implement and monitor strategic company and department initiatives.
• Attend customer, company work coordination, and status meetings as required.
• Audit and maintain AAR repair station operating specifications to reflect business commitments.
• Assure daily administration and reporting for AAR’s discrepancy reporting and Accident/Incident Investigation programs.
• Investigate, validate, and develop root cause analyses for all “late finds” identified on assigned shifts.
• Ensure timely correction of aircraft work document errors for assigned inspectors.
• Evaluate potential Quality Control department candidates by reviewing work history, training records, and/or practical testing.
• Serve as backup to the Inspection Manager or Inspector Supervisor for control and disposition of life-limited scrap parts (primary responsibility remains with the Director of Maintenance Operations).
• Make final decisions regarding airworthiness on behalf of the repair station.
• Fulfill the duties of the Inspection Supervisor (MCN only).
• Assist with employee development through coaching, counseling, and guidance.

Requirements

• Compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR); candidates must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or individual admitted as a refugee or granted asylum).
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate.
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from a four-year college or university; or eight years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to communicate efficiently with management, other departments, and coworkers.
• Ten or more years of experience as a mechanic or inspector on large commercial aircraft.
• Fifteen years of experience with an FAA 121 Air Carrier or FAA Approved Part 145 Certificate Repair Station preferred.
• Thorough understanding of FAR (14 CFR) parts 21, 25, 43, 65, 91, 121, 125, 129, and 145 preferred.
• Thorough understanding of the EASA 145 Rule preferred.

AAR provides accommodation in accordance with applicable laws through all stages of the hiring process. If you require accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please advise Human Resources.