Chief Inspector

Serve as the Inspection System Leader and Return-to-Service (RTS) Authority for Prime Engine Accessories — ensuring every engine accessory released to service is airworthy, properly documented, and approved in compliance with 14 CFR / EASA Part 145, applicable CMMs, ADs, and SBs. While reporting administratively to the Director of Maintenance, the Chief Inspector exercises independent inspection and airworthiness release authority as required by 14 CFR 145.211(c)(1)(vii) and 145.211(d) — inspection decisions and quality holds are not subject to override by production management.

• Establish, implement, and maintain the Repair Station Inspection System per 14 CFR 145.211(c)(1)(vii) and applicable EASA Part 145 requirements.
• Exercise Return-to-Service authority (14 CFR 145.157) — approve and sign FAA Form 8130-3 airworthiness approval tags and EASA Form 1 release documentation for all completed work orders.
• Direct and oversee Receiving Inspection, In-Process Inspection, Final Inspection, and Airworthiness Release Personnel (14 CFR 145.157).
• Ensure all inspection activities are performed in accordance with current CMM revisions, applicable ADs, SBs, and approved work-order documentation.
• Maintain daily dotted-line operational coordination with the Operations Manager on inspection scheduling, production flow, technical issues, work stoppages, and RTS planning.
• Review and authorize inspector stamps and task authorizations; manage receiving inspection dispositions including acceptance, rejection, and quarantine of non-conforming parts.
• Participate in CAPA processes — review, approve, and verify closure of non-conformances and inspection-related corrective actions in coordination with the Head of Quality.
• Support FAA/EASA surveillance activities, repair station certificate inspections, and customer quality audits related to the inspection and RTS system.
• Ensure inspector qualification and training records are current per 14 CFR 145.163, coordinating with the Head of Quality's Training & Qualification Records function.
• Escalate unresolved airworthiness concerns directly to the Accountable Manager when they cannot be resolved within the normal production/maintenance channel.
• Maintain the Airworthiness Release Personnel authorization list; ensure all releases comply with 14 CFR 145.157.

• FAA A&P Mechanic certificate required;
  Inspection Authorization (IA) strongly preferred.
• EASA Part 66 certifying staff license (Category B1, B2, or higher) preferred for dual-authority (FAA/EASA) operations.
• 7+ years in aviation MRO inspection, with 3+ years in a lead inspector or Chief Inspector role at a certificated Part 145 repair station.
• In-depth working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 145 (§145.155, §145.157, §145.211, §145.213) and EASA Part 145 inspection requirements.
• Extensive hands-on experience with engine accessories — fuel controls, actuators, pumps, valves, IDGs, and related LRUs.
• Strong knowledge of CMM-based inspection procedures, AD compliance verification, and SB applicability evaluation.
• Proficiency in completing FAA Form 8130-3 and EASA Form 1 documentation; experience with work-order management systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365.

• Reports administratively to the Director of Maintenance.
• Direct reports:
  Receiving Inspection personnel, In-Process Inspection personnel, Final Inspection personnel, and Airworthiness Release Personnel (14 CFR 145.157).
• Dotted-line daily operational coordination with the Operations Manager for inspection scheduling, production flow, technical issues, work stoppages, and RTS planning.
• Direct escalation path to the Accountable Manager for unresolved airworthiness concerns that cannot be resolved through normal channels — this…