Fresh Listing

Posted: March 3, 2026 (0 days ago)

This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.

Aviation Safety Inspector (AW-ACM (PMI))

Federal Aviation Administration

Department of Transportation

Fresh

Location

Salary

$107,446 - $139,684

per year

Closes

March 23, 2026More DOT jobs →

GS-12 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves overseeing and recommending safety standards for the maintenance of large commercial airplanes to ensure they are safe for passengers and crews.

The role focuses on inspecting, certifying, and investigating maintenance practices at airlines.

It's a good fit for experienced aircraft mechanics who enjoy regulatory work and have a strong background in aviation safety.

Key Requirements

  • FAA Mechanic Certificate with airframe and power plant ratings
  • At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 level in air carrier maintenance certification, surveillance, or compliance
  • Aircraft maintenance experience on multi-engine aircraft over 12,500 pounds takeoff weight, including repair of airframes, power plants, and systems
  • Recent aircraft maintenance work within the last 3 years
  • Valid second-class medical certificate (or equivalent physician certification for minimal medical requirements)
  • No more than two Federal Aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years
  • Valid state driver's license and fluency in English

Full Job Description

The Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) is responsible for recommending new and amended Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) for the development and implementation of standards, programs, and procedures for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) field personnel and the public governing all matters to air carrier maintenance safety issues.

Duty location is Irving, TX; or Clermontville, OH Applicants must meet the Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards: 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, with or without a reasonable accommodation.The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements: Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted); Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others 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 the aircraft must: Possess a valid second – class medical certificate in accordance with 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 maintenance, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) 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.

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of experience equivalent to FV-H, FG/GS-12 grade level.

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Specialized experience is defined as: Assisting, conducting or performing various technical functions related to certification, surveillance, investigation and compliance recommendation of maintenance activities on FAR Part 121 air carriers/air operators.

Note: Recency of specialized experience is waived for employees currently in the 1825 series. Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job. Major Duties:

Receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. Plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, etc.

Provides policy assistance to regional and field level ASIs on difficult or complex policy interpretations.

Establishes technical procedures and performance indexes and review complete maintenance programs for major air carriers who are leaders in the aviation industry, or who have problems of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations.

The following assignments are illustrative: 1.

As a Service wide expert on a particular type of sophisticated multiengine turbojet aircraft: - Serves on national boards that determine minimum equipment necessary to operate a particular type of aircraft safely; and - Serves on boards that evaluate incidents, accidents, complaints, and other serious problems relating to the aircraft.

Develops plans to resolve problems. 2. Exercises certificate authority over a major air carrier with extensive and complex operations.

Analyzes flight operations involving large fleets of turbojet aircraft engaged in large-scale passenger and freight service; or evaluates maintenance activities and complete aircraft overhaul facilities which are equipped and staffed to handle the latest and most sophisticated turbojet aircraft and associated systems.

This includes responsibility for nationally and internationally prominent carriers who operate the largest, most advanced fleets of turbojet aircraft in the industry. 3.

Exercises certificate authority and safety responsibility over a complex of broad and varied general aviation organizations such as operator maintenance facilities and contracted repair stations when the activities monitored equate to a major air carrier in terms of size and complexity of aircraft fleet employed, scope and technical complexity of operations, management sophistication, industry leadership, and public impact.

Evaluates flight operations programs for organizations which utilize complex aircraft, systems, and equipment.

Because of organizational complexity or the advanced technology incorporated in the aircraft, systems, and equipment, PMI must exercise originality to resolve unique problems.

Plans and directs the use of time and resources to accomplish organizational objectives.

Defines, organizes, and uses resources to accomplish work activities within established schedules, analyzes program requirements and accomplishments, and makes or directs adjustments to address organizational needs.

Has critically important and frequently controversial contacts with key officials of major manufacturers, major carriers, and general aviation organizations.

Contacts are made to resolve issues which affect the initial certification and major modifications of aircraft, maintenance programs, and their effect on safety and compliance with regulations.

Provides guidance to field level staff to solve difficult technical issues. Develop plans, techniques, and policies to address current and anticipated problems and issues.

Works with management to solve problems.

Occasionally represents the agency as a point of contact for policy development, inspection activities or as a technical trainer/instructor delivering formal training.

Assists in the preparation of technical correspondence to regions, aviation industry, other governmental agencies, members of Congress, and the general public.

Assures that correspondence is properly coordinated, technically and grammatically accurate, clear and concise, and that it reflects the philosophy, policies, and objectives of the Branch, Division, Service, and the FAA.

Performs other duties as required.

Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

Browse Similar Jobs

Posted on USAJOBS: 3/3/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/3/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: AAL-AVS-26-AKWL-97493