Aviation Safety Inspector (AW - General Aviation Maintenance)
Federal Aviation Administration
Posted: February 7, 2026 (0 days ago)
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Federal Aviation Administration
Department of Transportation
Location
Salary
$107,446 - $139,684
per year
Type
Full Time
More Inspection & Compliance jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves overseeing and ensuring the safety of aircraft powerplant maintenance programs for large air carriers, including reviewing operators' procedures, conducting inspections, and investigating compliance issues.
It's ideal for experienced aircraft mechanics who have worked on big commercial planes and want to use their expertise to enforce aviation safety rules in a government role.
The position requires strong attention to detail and the ability to travel and work in various settings.
The Partial Program Manager (Powerplant) has primary responsibility for the adequacy of the operators maintenance, preventative maintenance, and alteration programs accomplished on Powerplants off wing.
General Requirements for All Positions: Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years; Valid State driver's license; Fluency in the English language; No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and High school diploma or equivalent.
Medical Requirements for All Positions: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, and must meet all of the following requirements: Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) without strain; Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft.
In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of aircraft must: Possess a valid second-class medical certificate in accordance with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) regulations; and Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.
Applicants not requiring valid second-class medical certificates who are tentatively selected will be required to: Provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that they meet the minimal medical requirements; or Individuals who do not meet the minimum medical requirements but who are otherwise qualified will receive an individualized assessment to determine whether they can perform the essential functions of the position.
When the predominant work involves air carrier avionics applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector(Maintenance) positions must meet all of the following requirements: Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and systems of multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight maintained under an airworthiness maintenance and inspection program.
Aircraft maintenance experience in a repair station; air carrier or airline repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency.
Experience involving the maintenance and repair of airframes, power plants, and aircraft systems with responsibility for certifying airworthiness.
Aircraft maintenance work experience within the last 3 years. FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings.
Specialized Experience: To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I, FG/GS-13 level.
Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
Examples of Specialized Experience may include: Maintenance experience on 14 CFR part 121 aircraft and associated components; evaluates and decides upon proposals to change the authorized programs of organizations; monitors, plans or conducts inspection programs; assures that assigned organizations are properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped; have and conduct an adequate training program, including an acceptable record keeping system; and have facilities and procedures that meet all regulatory requirements, responsible for the conduct of enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations on disposition.
For more information regarding the minimum eligibility requirements for Aviation Safety Inspector's please visit the following website: .https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1800/1825.htm Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
NOTE: Recency of specialized experience is waived for current FAA employees in the FG-1825 series. You must apply on-line to receive consideration for this position.
Faxed or emailed applications/resumes will not be accepted. Work history must state job titles including specialty, series and grade level held.
No references will be made from your Personnel File, so information must be current and up to date.
To assist in determining qualification requirements, applicants transferring between specialties at the same grade level are strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate Qualifications Assessment Tool (QAT) check sheet and upload it along with their resume.
Check sheets are contained in Order 3410.26, Flight Standards Service Air Carrier and General Aviation Qualifications Assessment Tool for AFS Aviation Safety Inspectors.
This order is located at: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/3410.26.pdf . Major Duties:
Under the general direction of the Principal Inspector, accomplishes the following duties: A.
Technical Administration Within assigned technical program, assures on a continuing basis the organizations are properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped, have and conduct an adequate training program, including an acceptable record keeping system: and have facilities and procedures that meet all regulatory requirements.
Regularly visits the organization's stations and other offices to maintain contact with their management officials; coordinates with the Principal Inspector for correction of any deficiencies/discrepancies.
Develops maintenance program requirements for engines and APUs through participation on Maintenance Review Boards.
Coordinates Minimum Equipment List (MEL} for engines for approval with Principal Operations Inspector. Takes enforcement action instances of noncompliance with the MEL.
Conducts enforcement investigations and prepares final reports and recommendations on disposition.
Performs or supervises the emergency suspension of certificates or cancellations of operations specifications.
Conducts or directs the re-examination of certificated airmen or recertification of an operator or agency.
Conducts investigations of public complaints, congressional inquiries, and aircraft incidents and accidents.
Provides verbal and/or written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifies at court trials and formal hearings, and gives depositions.
Coordinates with geographic inspectors for the accomplishment of non-routine air carrier surveillance. B.
Certification Responsible for initial and ongoing certification of engines and APUs for air carriers, aircraft, and air agencies. Responsible for initial and ongoing certification of airmen.
makes recommendations on the appointment of designees.
Evaluates requests not previously specified in the maintenance portion of the operations specifications and approves or disapproves requests and provides additional conditions and limitations as needed.
Provides guidance to the assigned air carrier in development of required engine and APU maintenance manuals and record keeping systems.
Reviews and determines adequacy of engine manuals associated with the air carrier's engine and APU maintenance programs and revisions thereto.
Assures that manuals and revisions comply with regulatory requirements, prescribes safe practices, and furnishes clear and specific instructions governing engine and APU maintenance programs.
Approves operations specifications and amendments thereto.
Determines if the engine and APU maintenance facilities being established or contract arrangements entered into by air carriers for the purpose of overhaul work, major repair and alterations, and other maintenance are satisfactory.
Reviews changes and negotiates with air carrier management to resolve problems. Determines if engine and APU overhaul and inspection time limitations warrant revision.
Evaluates an operator's proposed engine and APU reliability programs for compliance with national policies. Advises operator of deficiencies and required changes.
Approves/disapproves engine and APU reliability programs. C.
Surveillance Directs and/or performs the inspection and surveillance of the air carrier's continuous airworthiness engine and APU maintenance program.
Monitors all phases of the air carrier's engine and APU maintenance operation, including the following: engine and APU maintenance, engineering, quality control, production control, training, and reliability programs.
D. Other May be assigned other duties and responsibilities which are non-grade controlling such as surveilling other airlines for compliance of engine and APU maintenance compliance.
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