Root Cause Analysis Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Company
Alaska Airlines
The Team
Guided by our purpose, core values, and leadership principles, we are creating an airline people love. Our corporate teams set the strategies and operational plans to ensure the success of our company. Whether we use our expertise in accounting, human resources, finance, planning, legal, marketing, or any of our operational divisions, our shared passion for travel and our guests is what motivates us to achieve excellence each day. If you share our passion for creating an airline people love, we want to hear from you.
Role Summary
The Senior Quality Assurance / Continuing Analysis and Surveillance System (CASS) Investigator functions as a subject matter expert within the Quality Systems organization. As an individual contributor, this role exercises considerable judgment to make decisions in conducting complex investigations, performing systemic analysis, and validating corrective actions across Maintenance & Engineering (M&E) operations and maintenance providers.
This position is responsible for surveillance, investigation, root cause analysis, risk assessment, corrective action validation, and follow-up activities necessary to ensure the performance and effectiveness of the company's maintenance program in accordance with 14 CFR Part 121/135 requirements.
Key Duties

• As a subject matter expert, partners with the Manager, Quality Assurance / CASS Governance to design, implement, and continuously improve CASS surveillance and investigation programs.
• With minimal direction from leadership, exercises considerable judgment to conduct complex investigations and system-level reviews to assess maintenance program performance, effectiveness, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop clear, evidence-based investigation reports, executive summaries, and trend analyses for CASS review boards and senior leadership.
• Apply structured root cause analysis and data-driven trend identification to uncover systemic issues, emerging risks, and program deficiencies.
• Collaborates with operational leaders and maintenance providers to develop sustainable corrective action plans that address root causes and incorporate appropriate controls and performance measures.
• Monitors and verifies implementation and effectiveness of corrective actions through structured follow-up activities and closed-loop validation.
• Applies risk assessment principles consistent with Safety Management System methodologies to classify findings and prioritize surveillance and follow-up activities.
• Ensures maintenance program elements are executed in accordance with company manuals and regulatory standards and that aircraft released to service meet airworthiness requirements.
• Provides subject matter expertise during regulatory interactions, FAA reviews, and external oversight activities.
• Mentors and supports peer investigators in investigative methodology, systemic analysis, and CASS execution principles and leads departmental initiatives and cross-functional projects that strengthen compliance, quality systems, and maintenance program effectiveness.

Job-Specific Experience, Education & Skills
Required

• Four years of airline maintenance, quality systems, regulatory compliance, or investigative experience within a Part 121 or Part 135 environment.
• Bachelor's degree. or an additional two years of relevant training/experience in lieu of this degree.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple formal investigations and performing Root Cause Analysis at a systems level.
• Thorough understanding of Continuing Analysis and Surveillance System (CASS) requirements and maintenance program elements under 14 CFR Part 121 or 135.
• Strong understanding of airline safety standards, regulatory compliance frameworks, and M&E operational processes.
• Experience applying Safety Management System (SMS) principles, including hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk mitigation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level reporting capability.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Frequent travel required, including international travel.
• Valid passport at time of employment.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum age of 18.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Preferred

• FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate or equivalent technical credentials.
• Formal training in Root Cause Analysis, risk assessment, or human factors.

Job-Specific Leadership Expectations

• Embody our values to own safety, do the right thing, be caring and kind, and deliver performance.
• Create a culture where all employees feel safe and they belong.

Salary Range
$90,750 -$149,800 / year
Pay Details
Honolulu GEO 1: $90,750 -$136,150
Seattle GEO 2: $99,850 - $149,800
Salary Details
Pay will be based on multiple factors, including and not limited to location, relevant experience/level and skillset while balancing internal equity relative to other Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon employees. Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon is committed to fair, unbiased compensation along with competitive benefits in all locations in which we operate.
Note: We don't typically hire at the top of the range.
Total Rewards
Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air pay and benefits can vary by company, location, number of regularly scheduled hours worked, length of employment, and employment status.

• Free stand-by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air
• Comprehensive well-being programs including medical, dental and vision benefits
• Generous 401k match program
• Annual bonus plans
• Generous holiday and paid time off

For more information about Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon Total Rewards please visit our career site and view benefits.
Airport SIDA Badge Requirements
Important notification for employees working at an airport or maintenance hangar: Employees will be required to obtain a SIDA badge provided by the airport authority and maintain good standing in order to keep their SIDA badge. Review the SIDA Badge Requirements document for a comprehensive overview. If an employee does not qualify for a SIDA badge or has their SIDA badge pulled from them, the employee will be terminated.
Regulatory Information
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement
It is the policy of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment and to ensure equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and benefits of employment or potential employment.
We also prohibit discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories.
We have established an EEO Compliance Program under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ("Section 503") and the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 ("VEVRAA"). All applicants and employees are treated without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. In addition, we have established an audit and reporting system to allow for effective measurement of its equal employment opportunity activities.
To implement this policy, we will:
(1) Recruit, hire, train and promote qualified persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and any other legally protected categories;
(2) Ensure that employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements; and
(3) Ensure that all personnel actions and employment activities such as compensation, benefits, promotions, layoffs, return from layoff, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air sponsored programs, and tuition assistance will be administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories.
Employees and applicants for employment will not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination because they have engaged or may engage in (1) filing a complaint, (2) opposing any act or practice made unlawful by, or exercising any other right protected by, any Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity, including Section 503 and the equal opportunity provisions of VEVRAA, or (3) assisting or participating in any investigation, compliance evaluation, hearing, or any other activity related to the administration of any Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity, including Section 503 and the equal opportunity provisions of VEVRAA.
Government Contractor & Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations
Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT - regulations, 49 CFR part 40) and all applicants are advised that post-offer and/or pre-employment drug testing will be conducted to determine the presence of marijuana, cocaine, opioids, phencyclidine (PCP) and amphetamines or a metabolite of these drugs prior to any offer or employment or transfer into a safety-sensitive position. Failure to submit to testing or positive indications of drug use will render the applicant ineligible for employment with Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines/Horizon Air and any employment offer will be withdrawn.
Apply by 7:00 PM Pacific Time on
8/26/2026
FLSA Status
Exempt
Employment Type
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
Requisition Type
Management
Location
Seattle - Hangar
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#LI-B