Type Approval Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

About the role:

The Quality Systems and FAA Compliance Engineer is responsible for managing and maintaining compliance with aerospace regulatory requirements, Quality Management System (QMS) to AS9100 standards, customer-specific requirements, and FAA certification obligations across manufacturing, qualification testing, product certification, and Repair Station operations.

This position serves as the company subject matter expert for regulatory requirements and customer-flowed quality requirements, ensuring that external standards are effectively translated into internal procedures, systems, and operational processes. The position is responsible for ensuring ongoing regulatory compliance, audit readiness, certification maintenance, and continuous improvement of quality and regulatory systems.

Key Responsibilities and Priorities:

AS9100 / ISO 9001 Quality Management System (Including FAA 14 CFR Part 21 Requirements)

- QMS Management and Compliance

• Maintain and improve the company Quality Management System documents to align with AS9100/ISO 9001, FAA, and Customer requirements.

• Translate external regulatory and customer requirements into internal processes.

• Conduct gap assessments against changing requirements.

- Audit Coordination

• Develop Audit Plans and Schedules, Coordinate, and Support Internal and External (Registrar, Customer, Regulatory) Audits.

• Support audit responses and corrective actions.

- Process Owner Support

• Support process owners with process effectiveness and compliance.

• Assist with KPI development and process monitoring.

• Drive standardization and implementation of best practices.

• Facilitate process improvements.

• Audit Folder Development and Process Review for Process Owners.

- Document Control Oversight

• Ensure standardization of procedures, forms, and work instructions.

• Support document revisions and change management activities.

• Ensure controlled documentation aligns with current requirements.

- Training Compliance Monitoring

• Monitor training compliance requirements.

• Support competency assessments.

- Corrective Action System Coordination

• Facilitate corrective action activities

• Monitor corrective action effectiveness.

• Track closure performance.

• Analyze trends and identify systemic opportunities.

FAA PC / PMA / STC Activities Support and Coordination

- Production Certificate (PC)

• Support development and maintenance of production system controls.

• Assist in demonstrating compliance of manufacturing systems.

• Coordinate evidence supporting production approval.

- Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA)

• Support PMA application development.

• Coordinate technical documentation and compliance evidence.

• Support interaction with FAA representatives.

- Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)

• Support design modification approval activities.

• Coordinate compliance documentation.

• Support certification packages and FAA communications.

- General Certification Responsibilities

• Coordinate with FAA personnel during certification projects.

• Maintain certification records and supporting evidence.

• Monitor continuing compliance obligations.

• Support qualification testing documentation.

• Assist engineering and operations with certification requirements.

FAA Repair Station Compliance (14 CFR Part 145)

- Regulatory Oversight and Compliance

• Serve as the Quality representative supporting FAA Repair Station compliance activities.

• Support communication and coordination with FAA Flight Standards personnel and FAA Flight Safety Inspectors.

• Monitor regulatory updates and assess impact to internal systems and procedures.

• Ensure Repair Station operations remain compliant with applicable FAA, EASA, UK CAA, and customer requirements.

- Records and Documentation Management

• Maintain Repair Station records and folders in accordance with regulatory retention requirements.

• Ensure traceability, completeness, and accuracy of repair documentation.

• Coordinate organization and maintenance of certification documentation.

• Maintain regulatory correspondence and certification records.

- Audit Support

• Coordinate and support internal and external audits including FAA, Customer, CASE (CACS-20), etc.

• Prepare audit evidence and support the Repair Station team.

• Track and monitor corrective actions through closure.

- Repair Station Manual Management

• Coordinate maintenance and revision of:

1. Repair Station Manual (RSM).

2. Quality Control Manual (QCM).

3. Associated procedures and forms.

• Coordinate updates with FAA Flight Safety Inspector as required.

• Ensure document revisions reflect current regulations and operational requirements.

- KPI Reporting and Performance Monitoring

• Develop, maintain, and communicate Repair Station metrics including Repairs by Product Type, Part Number, Repair Reasons, Responsible Party, etc.

• Identify repeat repair rates and drive continuous improvements.

• Monitor Overdue Repairs and support customer complaints.

Knowledge/Skills:

- Education

• Required: Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent experience in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Aviation, or related technical field.

• Preferred: Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or related discipline

- Certifications and Training

• Certified or trained Lead Auditor for AS9100 and ISO 9001

• Internal Auditor certification

• Training in FAA regulations is preferred

- Preferred additional certifications:

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

• ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)

• ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE)

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt

Experience

- Quality Management Systems

• Minimum 5 - 7 years of experience scheduling, supporting, coordinating, and leading internal and external audits.

• Experience managing Quality Management Systems within aerospace manufacturing environments.

• Experience supporting regulatory compliance activities.

• Experience with customer-specific aerospace quality requirements

- FAA Product Certification Experience Preferred:

• Experience supporting PMA, STC, and/or Production Certificate activities.

• Experience interpreting FAA Part 21 requirements.

• Experience with qualification and certification documentation.

- Repair Station Experience (Recommended Expanded Requirement):

• Minimum 3 - 5 years supporting or leading Quality activities within an FAA Repair Station environment.

• Experience maintaining FAA Repair Station manuals and procedures.

• Experience supporting FAA inspections and audits.

• Experience with FAA, EASA, and UK CAA requirements, including records and retention.

• Experience with repair process controls and airworthiness documentation.

• Experience with maintenance release requirements.

• Experience leading corrective action activities associated with regulatory findings.

• Experience coordinating with FAA Flight Safety Inspectors.

• Experience monitoring Repair Station KPI performance.

Location: Azusa, CA 91702 - On-site

Working Conditions: Production/Shop floor environment. Ability to lift up to 30 pounds and stand for extended periods of time.