Quality Inspector A

About the Company

Airbus Helicopters, Inc. is recruiting a Quality Inspector A for its Quality Assurance team in Grand Prairie, Texas. The site, just outside the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, is the Airbus Helicopters U.S. regional headquarters, with more than 1,000 employees. The team focuses on quality, productivity and efficiency, building safety into every aircraft it assembles and maintains.

Role Overview

The Quality Inspector A ensures compliance with Airbus Helicopters Inc. policies and procedures and with FAA and/or EASA regulations as applicable. The role performs preliminary, hidden-damage, in-process and final inspections; carries out receiving inspections to approve or reject incoming material and records the results; works with inspection tools, aids and devices to determine tolerances and specification limits; and inspects parts, materials, paint, backshop activities, functional and operational tests and dimensions of aircraft, systems and components to determine airworthiness.

Key Responsibilities

Inspection (60%)

• Perform technical inspections to receive or reject incoming material, airframes and aircraft components, and detect and report suspected unapproved parts.
• Perform in-process inspections in electrical backshops, manufacturing, composites, MRO and the paint shop to judge the serviceability of manufactured parts, electrical components and paint.
• Carry out detailed inspections of manufactured components, including dimensional checks and acoustic tap testing.
• Inspect aluminium, titanium and steel structures for cracks, corrosion, damage and improper assembly.
• Determine proper shimming and joining of structures with rivets or other hardware according to design drawings, engineering disposition and other approved data.
• Detect hidden damage to airframe structures, components and sub-assemblies arising from shipping, receiving or manufacturing.
• Verify the build of wiring harnesses, connectors and electrical terminations against design drawings.
• Physically and systematically quarantine non-conforming components and assemblies.
• Monitor Measuring and Test Equipment to ensure it is well maintained and within its calibration cycle.
• Perform stock inspections and purges when notified of possible non-conforming or suspected unapproved material.
• Evaluate and disposition sales returns.
• Select and check product samples (dimensions, functionality, comparison to specifications) to validate conformity with approved drawings and manuals.
• Carry out in-process and final quality inspections for conformity, maintenance, repair, modification, rework and overhaul of components and sub-assemblies.
• Perform conformity inspections for Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) development projects, Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) parts, and structural and electrical components.
• Inspect airframe components for proper fit, form and function.
• Validate the disposition of parts and repaired parts routed to the shop floor from the warehouse, internal shops and suppliers.
• Qualify dynamic component parts using visual inspection and precision measurement.
• Observe and validate instrument connections, functional and operational tests, and adjustments of radios, navigation systems, flight control systems and instruments.
• Ensure compliance with calendar/hourly inspections, life- or cycle-limited components, airworthiness directives and alert service bulletins.
• Verify testing of ELTs, transponders, altimeters, airspeed indicators and air data computers in accordance with Title 14 CFR Parts 91, 135 and 43.

Documentation (30%)

• Ensure proper tagging, identification and airworthiness of parts released to Airframe, Engines and Accessories.
• Compare quantity, part number and serial number of received items against procurement data, purchase orders and specifications.
• Create, distribute, track in SAP and disposition the monthly Shelf Life Expiration Date (SLED) report.
• Create QN/NCs for non-conforming material and coordinate resolution with Quality Engineers.
• Ensure all materials carry required documentation (8130-3, EASA Form, Certificate of Conformance).
• Process Goods Receipts during material receiving.
• Document maintenance actions for airframe, engine, accessories and components in line with FAA and EASA regulations and company procedures.
• Research airworthiness directives, service bulletins and alert service bulletins for applicability.
• Read and validate engineering drawings, reports and test specifications.
• Identify and document items held in the quality quarantine cage.
• Document and prepare airframe, engine, accessories or components for return to service after production, maintenance, overhaul, repair, inspection, test or modification.
• Prepare delivery documentation qualifying the airworthiness or return to service of aircraft, engines, parts, components and systems.

Quality Department Support and Continuous Improvement (10%)

• Apply Airbus core values: integrity, commitment, confidence, teamwork, customer focus, respect and reliability.
• Perform routine process audits to ensure training, tooling and technical data are available.
• Review quality procedures, processes, documents and forms for accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures and FAA and EASA regulations.
• Support company events, departmental and team meetings and special projects.
• Propose lean improvements to help meet top company objectives (TCOs).

Requirements

• Education (required): High school diploma or equivalent.
• Education (preferred): Associate degree in aviation or a related field.
• Ability to interpret technical and regulatory documentation.
• Effective verbal and written communication with all levels of personnel.
• Familiarity with inspection tools, aids and devices for determining tolerances and specification limits.
• Experience and flexibility to work in multiple areas.
• Authorised to work in the US.
• Physical: 100% on site unless travelling; correctable near and far vision; able to carry and lift up to 30 lb (14 kg); able to sit, stand, squat, kneel and walk on production floors, including uneven surfaces; travel at short notice up to 15% per year.
• Required PPE may include safety shoes, safety glasses, hearing protection, respirators/masks and protective gloves.

Licences & Qualifications

• Required: current, valid FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) licence (external candidates); internal candidates must be able to obtain an Airman's Certificate within 90 days.
• Preferred: FAA A&P licence (internal candidates), FAA Inspection Authorization (IA), FCC 2nd Class Licence, Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) certificate.

Experience

• Required: 4 years of quality inspection on aircraft components and systems, or 6 years as a certificated aviation maintenance technician (AMT) on aircraft components and systems.
• Preferred: at least 6 years (or equivalent) of diversified experience on Airbus Helicopters products as a certificated AMT or quality inspector.

What We Offer

• Financial rewards: competitive base salary, incentive compensation that may include profit sharing, a retirement savings plan and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• Work/life balance: paid time off including personal time, holidays and a generous paid parental leave programme.
• Health and welfare: medical (traditional and high-deductible plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan and supplemental cover.
• Development: Airbus Leadership University with unlimited access to 10,000+ e-learning courses, accelerated development programmes and national and international mobility.
• Flexible working arrangements where possible.
• Relocation assistance for qualified positions and a comprehensive compensation and benefits package.

Additional Information

Full-time, direct-hire, on-site position (professional level). Job ID JR10453489. Airbus Helicopters, Inc. does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified; only applicants with current work authorisation will be considered. Employment is at will. A full job description is provided to candidates who progress to interview, or on request. Apply online. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation can contact USCareers@airbus.com. Airbus never asks for money during recruitment.