Fresh Listing

Posted: January 15, 2026 (0 days ago)

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

Aviation Safety Inspector, (General Aviation - Avionics) (Principal Avionics Inspector)

Federal Aviation Administration

Department of Transportation

Fresh

Location

Salary

$130,042 - $169,060

per year

Closes

February 4, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves overseeing avionics safety for general aviation operations, ensuring that air carriers, operators, and related entities follow federal regulations to prevent issues with aircraft electronics and systems.

The role requires independently planning and executing safety programs, providing expert guidance to inspectors, and investigating compliance in avionics.

It's a good fit for experienced avionics technicians or inspectors with a strong background in aircraft maintenance and regulatory knowledge who enjoy working autonomously in a safety-focused government position.

Key Requirements

  • At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I/FG-13 level in avionics certification, surveillance, investigation, and compliance for FAR Part 135 operations
  • Aircraft avionics experience in maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of installed systems within the last 3 years, including in repair stations, air carriers, military, or government facilities
  • Valid second-class medical certificate per FAA regulations, with ability to pass recurrent exams
  • Good distant vision, ability to hear conversational voice (aids permitted), and no physical conditions interfering with safe aircraft passenger duties
  • High school diploma or equivalent, fluency in English, valid state driver's license, and no more than two federal aviation regulation violations in the last 5 years
  • No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could affect job performance

Full Job Description

The Principal Avionics Inspector (PAI) serves as the primary operations interface between assigned air carriers, air operators, air agencies, airmen, designees.

and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).Has program responsibility to assure that assigned organizations meet Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) with respect to operations programs governing all matters to general aviation avionics safety issues.

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.

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.

When the predominant work involves general aviation avionics, applicants for Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) positions must meet all of the following requirements.

Aircraft avionics experience involving the maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of installed avionics systems on aircraft.

Aircraft avionics work experience (which could include supervision or auditing) in a repair station; air carrier repair facility; military repair facility; or local, state, or Federal governmental agency within the last 3 years.

In addition, applicants must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I/FG-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.

Specialized experience includes: Assisting, conducting, or performing various technical functions related to certification, surveillance, investigation, and compliance recommendation of avionics systems on FAR Part 135 air carriers/air operators.

The recency of hours is waived for current FAA employees in the 1825 series. 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:

The PAI receives administrative direction from management in terms of broadly defined missions or functions.

The PAI, mostly independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work.

The PAI provides policy assistance to Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) on difficult or complex policy interpretations. The work is normally accepted without change.

Completed work may be reviewed for adherence to FAA policy and for assurance that project requirements have been fulfilled.

Some FG-14 assignments involve Service wide responsibility for application of expert knowledge of flight avionics for an advanced multiengine turbojet aircraft.

Such employees are concerned with all aspects of the operational capabilities and limitations of the aircraft.

ASIs at the FG-14 level establish technical procedures and performance indexes and review complete flight operations programs for leaders in the aviation industry, or organizations of comparable scope and complexity, or a uniquely complex group of general aviation organizations.

Assignments at this level are of great scope and unusual complexity.

The following assignments are illustrative: 1.As a Service wide expert on a particular type of advanced aircraft: -- Advises other inspectors of major changes; -- Standardizes procedures and judgments used by inspectors to evaluate the operation of the aircraft; -- Evaluates new training methods and equipment for initial certification; -- Serves on boards that evaluate incidents, accidents, complaints, and other serious problems relating to the aircraft.

Develops plans to resolve problems.

2.As the principal representative in regulatory surveillance oversight of general aviation and air carrier activities, exercises certificate authority over operators with avionics.

Evaluates maintenance activities and complete aircraft overhaul facilities.

(By comparison, FG-13employees exercise certificate authority over less complex air carriers or perform major portions of the certification, inspection, and surveillance for major carriers under the direction of FG-14 inspectors.) 3.

Exercises certificate authority and safety responsibility over a complex of broad and varied general aviation organizations such as air taxis, carriers, executive and/or industrial operators, repair stations, and mechanic schools.

The magnitude, intensity, and scope of program responsibility are typically such as to require significant and regular assistance of lower graded inspectors.

FG-14 employees evaluate 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, employees must exercise originality to resolve unique problems.

They frequently rely on engineers and designers for specific technical guidance although much of their work is carried out under very broad policy guidelines.

Supervisors give FG-14 employees a wide leeway for independent action. Other inspectors seek their advice on problems relating to aircraft and their operation and maintenance.

Because of the precedent-setting nature or substantial effect on the aviation industry or public safety, their decisions may be reviewed and approved at a higher policy-setting level.

The PAI plans and directs the use of time and resources to accomplish organizational objectives.

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

Decisions typically have broad impact on the operation, maintenance of a particular type of advanced aircraft, or a geographic area containing a variety of novel and/or complex aviation operations.

Decisions also have a significant effect on the safety of the flying public. Performs other duties as required.

Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

Browse Similar Jobs

Posted on USAJOBS: 1/15/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/15/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: AEA-FS-26-SLF-96944