Location: Montreal, QC, CA
ABOUT FTAI AVIATION LTD. (NASDAQ: FTAI)
FTAI owns and maintains commercial jet engines with a focus on CFM56 and V2500 engines. FTAI’s propriety portfolio of products, including the Module Factory and a joint venture to manufacture engine PMA, enables it to provide cost savings and flexibility to our airline, lessor, and maintenance, repair, and operations customer base. Additionally, FTAI owns and leases jet aircraft which often facilitates the acquisition of engines at attractive prices. FTAI invests in aviation assets and aerospace products that generate strong and stable cash flows with the potential for earnings growth and asset appreciation.
FTAI operates globally and has offices in New York, Miami, Montréal, Singapore. Dubai, United Kingdom and Ireland.
Job Overview
The Vice President, Quality Control is the Person Responsible for Maintenance (PRM) for FTAIC's Transport Canada Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO). This leader owns the airworthiness of every product released by the AMO and is accountable to the Head of FTAI Canada (Accountable Executive) for ensuring that all maintenance is performed, inspected, recorded and certified in accordance with the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), the Maintenance Policy Manual (MPM), approved data and customer requirements.
The role combines hands-on regulatory accountability with modern, data-driven quality control: digital inspection, real-time conformity metrics, human-factors-based error prevention and a just culture. The VP Quality Control works in close partnership with, but independently of, the Quality Assurance function, which audits the maintenance control system on behalf of the Accountable Executive.
Person Responsible for Maintenance (PRM) Duties
- Act as the PRM named in the MPM and maintain TCCA acceptance of the appointment; designate and maintain a qualified alternate PRM for periods of absence.
- Ensure all maintenance performed under the AMO certificate complies with CAR 573 (AMOs), CAR 571 (Maintenance) and the associated Standards, and is performed only within the scope of the AMO's approved ratings and capabilities.
- Ensure maintenance is performed using current, approved or acceptable data, including data approved under CAR 521 for repairs and modifications, and escalate to Engineering when approved data is not available.
- Maintain the adequacy of personnel, facilities, tooling, equipment and data needed to support the AMO's work scope, and stop or restrict work where these are not adequate.
- Ensure findings raised by the Quality Assurance program and by TCCA are addressed with effective, timely corrective action; own corrective action plans for findings within the maintenance control system.
- Own the content of the MPM sections governing maintenance control, inspection and maintenance release; submit amendments for TCCA approval as required.
- Ensure Service Difficulty Reports (SDRs) and other mandatory reports are submitted to TCCA and type certificate holders within required timeframes.
- Serve as the primary point of contact with TCCA inspectors for maintenance matters, and support certificate renewals, rating changes and capability list amendments.
Key Responsibilities
Chief Inspector Oversight
- Provide direct oversight of the Chief Inspector, who manages day-to-day inspection activity; set objectives, review performance and ensure the Chief Inspector has the authority, staffing and resources to carry out the role.
- Approve the inspection procedures, standards and hold points established by the Chief Inspector, and ensure they are reflected in the MPM.
- Review the Chief Inspector's recommendations for issuing, renewing, limiting or withdrawing inspection and certification authorities.
- Ensure the Chief Inspector's role, responsibilities and authority to stop work are defined in the MPM, and that a qualified delegate covers in their absence.
- Hold regular reviews with the Chief Inspector of inspection findings, escapes, workload and resourcing, and escalate systemic issues to the Head of FTAI Canada (Accountable Executive).
- Develop the Chief Inspector as a potential alternate PRM.
Inspection and Product Conformity
- Through the Chief Inspector, ensure receiving, in-process, final and independent inspections are performed to defined standards across all product lines.
- Ensure maintenance releases (certification after maintenance) are signed only by personnel holding valid, current authorizations for the work certified.
- Oversee non-destructive testing (NDT), dimensional inspection and borescope programs, including technician qualification and equipment calibration.
- Own the nonconforming product process: segregation, disposition (Material Review Board), escapes, customer notification and containment.
- Maintain a foreign object damage/debris (FOD) prevention program and tool control program.
- Ensure only current, controlled maintenance data and technical publications are used for inspection and certification.
Parts, Tooling and Supplier Control
- Ensure all parts and materials installed are airworthy and traceable, with acceptable release documentation (e.g., TCCA Form One, FAA 8130-3, EASA Form 1).
- Run a suspected unapproved and counterfeit parts prevention program, including reporting to authorities and quarantine controls.
- Approve and monitor external maintenance providers and critical suppliers in partnership with Quality Assurance and Supply Chain, using risk-based surveillance and supplier performance data.
- Ensure tooling and test equipment calibration, control and traceability.
Personnel Competency and Human Factors
- Define competency requirements for inspectors and certifying personnel; with the Chief Inspector, assess and recommend the issue, renewal, limitation or withdrawal of certification authorities.
- Ensure initial, recurrent, type/product and human factors training required by CAR 573 is delivered, in coordination with the Training function.
- Embed human factors and error-management practices (e.g., MEDA-style investigations, shift handover controls, fatigue awareness) into daily operations.
- Promote a just culture that encourages open reporting of errors, hazards and near-misses.
Safety Management and Continuous Improvement
- Participate as a senior member of the Safety Management System (SMS), ensuring maintenance-related hazards are identified, risk-assessed and mitigated.
- Lead root-cause analysis and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) for quality escapes, customer complaints and in-service events.
- Establish and report quality control KPIs (see below) and use trend analysis to drive targeted improvement.
- Apply Lean, Six Sigma and digital tools to reduce rework, turn-time impact of quality escapes and cost of poor quality.
- Ensure quality control requirements are built into new products, capabilities and programs from launch, partnering with Engineering and Operations.
Regulatory, Customer and Multi-Authority Compliance
- Maintain compliance with foreign approvals held by the AMO (e.g., FAA Part 145 and EASA Part-145 under bilateral agreements), including special conditions and supplements.
- Support customer and lessor audits, airline quality requirements and AS9110 certification, and lead the response to maintenance-related findings.
- Monitor regulatory changes (TCCA, FAA, EASA) and lead implementation of required changes in the maintenance control system.
Leadership
- Lead, develop and grow a multi-disciplinary team of inspection and NDT professionals, led through the Chief Inspector.
- Manage departmental budget, staffing and succession planning, including development of alternate PRM candidates.
- Influence and drive accountability for quality outcomes across Operations and other functions outside Quality Control.
Independence from Quality Assurance
Under CAR 573, the Quality Assurance program must be independent of the functions it audits. The VP Quality Control therefore does not act as the person responsible for the Quality Assurance program. The two roles collaborate closely: Quality Assurance audits the maintenance control system and reports to the Accountable Executive, and the VP Quality Control (PRM) owns corrective action for findings within maintenance.
Key Performance Indicators
- Quality escapes and customer-reported defects per unit delivered
- First-pass yield and rework/repeat findings at final inspection
- Regulatory and customer audit findings within maintenance, and on-time closure of corrective actions
- Inspection findings per work package and repeat findings by product line
- Supplier and parts quality: rejections at receiving, suspected unapproved parts events
- Inspector and certifying staff authorization currency (target 100%)
- Human-factors and safety reporting rate (leading indicator of a healthy just culture)
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aviation Maintenance or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 12–15+ years of experience in aerospace maintenance, inspection or quality in an MRO environment, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
- Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of CAR 573, CAR 571, CAR 521 and related Standards, sufficient to satisfy TCCA's acceptance of a PRM nominee.
- Prior experience as PRM, alternate PRM, or Quality/Inspection Manager in a TCCA AMO or equivalent FAA Part 145 / EASA Part-145 organization.
- Working knowledge of FAA and EASA maintenance requirements and bilateral agreements.
- Proven expertise in root-cause analysis, CAPA and nonconforming product control.
- Strong communication, stakeholder management and regulator relationship skills.
- Proven ability to manage departmental budgets, KPIs and performance expectations.
Preferred
- Transport Canada Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) licence, or equivalent FAA A&P / EASA Part-66 licence.
- Experience with engine or component MRO, including NDT and borescope inspection programs.
- Lean / Six Sigma certification; AS9110 lead auditor training.
- SMS and human factors training (e.g., MEDA investigator).
- Track record of leading large-scale quality or culture change.
- Bilingual (English and French) is an asset.
What We Offer You
- Competitive compensation
- Time to recharge with vacation, personal days, holidays, and parental leaves
- Comprehensive Family Medical, Dental and Vision coverage available on your first day of employment
- Virtual Health Care (24/7 access to medical professionals)
- A Wellness Spending Account to aid in your wellness journey
- Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) which includes free face to face counselling sessions
- Medical Travel Insurance
- Onsite fitness facilities at our main office locations
- A Registered Retirement Savings Plan that includes matching company contributions on your first day of employment, that also includes access to Financial Advisors providing investment advice and comprehensive financial planning
Equal Opportunity Statement
FTAI Aviation is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in the workplace. We are committed to excellence in serving all customers, including people with disabilities, and we encourage feedback on the provision of these services
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Language Requirements In Quebec
Intermediate level knowledge of English is necessary for aeronautical personnel to meet regulatory requirements, understand technical procedures and instructions, and document entries regarding work performed on the aeronautical product for customers outside Quebec
