Aviation Safety Inspector (Technical Program Management Specialist - TPMS)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking an Aviation Safety Inspector specializing in Manufacturing to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft and related products. This role involves critical oversight of manufacturing processes, quality systems, and regulatory compliance. **Key Responsibilities:** * Evaluate and ensure adherence to quality systems, methods, and techniques in aircraft and article manufacturing. * Determine if products meet approved design criteria and are in a safe condition for operation. * Perform and oversee various inspections including first article, in-process, and final assembly. * Assess quality assurance for specialized manufacturing processes (e.g., heat treating, welding, robotics). * Manage programs for the issuance of original airworthiness certificates and export airworthiness approvals. * Engage in type certification processes, production approval oversight, and compliance/enforcement activities. * Appoint and oversee FAA designees and Organization Designation Authorizations (ODAs). * Conduct or support Hotline/Whistleblower/SUP investigations, including report writing and workload management. **Required Qualifications:** **General Requirements:** * High school graduate or equivalent. * Valid state driver's license. * Fluent in the English language. * No more than 2 separate incidents involving Federal Aviation Regulations violations in the last 5 years. * No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance. **Medical Requirements:** * Physically able to perform duties safely and efficiently. * Good distant vision in each eye (corrective lenses permitted). * Ability to hear conversational voice (hearing aids permitted). * No physical condition that would cause hazard or interfere with flying as a passenger in various aircraft. **Specialized Experience (Minimum 1 year equivalent to FV-I, FG/GS-13 level):** Candidates must demonstrate expertise in one or a combination of the following: * **Manufacturing Quality Systems:** Experience in quality systems, methods, and techniques for aircraft and related product manufacturing, including inspection (first article, in-process, final assembly), quality assurance for special processes, destructive/non-destructive inspection, manufacturing processes, airworthiness assurance, and developing/implementing quality procedures. * **Airworthiness Certification & Program Management:** Direct experience in issuing airworthiness certificates or managing programs that lead to original airworthiness certificates or export approvals for aviation products. * **Aviation Regulatory Oversight:** Expertise in type certification, production approval oversight, compliance/enforcement, designee/ODA appointment and oversight, and undue burden determinations, with ability to provide guidance. * **Investigations:** Experience conducting or assisting with Hotline/Whistleblower/SUP investigations, including report writing, planning, and managing related workloads. **Typical backgrounds include:** Quality Engineer, Quality Systems Supervisor/Manager, Quality Systems Auditor, Service Representative with technical quality experience, or FAA Designee (e.g., DMIR, DAR authorized for manufacturing inspection functions).