Dowty Propellers, a GE Aerospace Company, is seeking a Site Quality & Product Safety (SMS) Leader for our FAA Part 145 approved MRO facility in Sterling, Virginia. Reporting to the Global Quality Compliance & SMS Leader, this role is responsible for leading the site’s management systems to ensure the highest levels of product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance for propeller maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations. The role is the site focal for product safety and airworthiness and plays a key part in driving a strong culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement.Job Description
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Lead the site Management System (SMS/QMS) to maintain compliance with FAA Part 145 and AS9100D/AS9110C standards.
- Own audit readiness and host internal, customer, regulatory, and third‑party audits; drive timely closure of findings.
- Manage approvals and certifications, including FAA and customer approvals, document control, and configuration management.
- Act as the site focal for product safety and airworthiness, ensuring safety is embedded in all MRO processes.
- Monitor and report key quality and product safety metrics, and drive structured problem‑solving and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Lead investigations of quality escapes and safety events, including root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions.
- Lead and develop management system maturity, fostering a strong culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement at the site.
- Support site daily management using GE Aerospace Flight Deck
- Regulatory and quality mindset with strong attention to detail and documentation rigor.
- Structured problem solver, comfortable using data and quality tools to identify and address risks and trends.
- Influential leader and communicator, able to work across functions and at all levels of the organization.
- High integrity and courage, willing to stop work or escalate issues when safety or compliance is at risk.
- Customer‑focused, with a strong sense of responsibility for the safety and reliability of products in service.
Minimum Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university (or a high school diploma / GED with a minimum of 4 years of Engineering, Aviation Maintenance, Quality, or related technical field; or equivalent aerospace/MRO experience) + Minimum of 3 years of Engineering, Aviation Maintenance, Quality, or related technical field; or equivalent aerospace/MRO experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Significant experience in aviation maintenance or aerospace manufacturing/MRO, preferably in an FAA regulated environment.
- Proven quality management experience (audits, nonconformance management, CAPA).
- Working knowledge of FAA Part 145 regulations and AS9100D/AS9110C standards.
- Proficiency with quality tools and methods (e.g., root cause analysis, FMEA, risk assessment).
- ASQ or similar professional certifications (e.g., CQE, CQM/OE) or Lead Auditor qualification (AS9100/AS9110).
- Prior leadership experience in quality, product safety, or regulatory compliance.
- Experience with propeller systems or rotating components and their repair/overhaul.
- Familiarity with GE Aerospace or Dowty Propellers processes and digital quality systems.
GE Aerospace offers comprehensive benefits and programs to support your health and, along with programs like HealthAhead, your physical, emotional, financial and social wellbeing. Healthcare benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to a Health Coach from GE Aerospace; and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Aerospace Retirement Savings Plan, a 401(k) savings plan with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and planning consultants. Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and paid time-off for vacation or illness.
GE Aerospace (General Electric Company or the Company) and its affiliates each sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs (i.e., is a “Sponsor”). Each Sponsor reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a Sponsor’s welfare benefit plan or program. This document does not create a contract of employment with any individual.
This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Therefore, employment will be contingent upon the ability to prove that you meet the status of a U.S. Person as one of the following: U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. Citizen, have been granted asylee or refugee status (i.e., a protected individual under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).
Additional InformationGE Aerospace offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
GE Aerospace will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).
Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes
Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree or high school diploma with 4 years experience
- 3+ years experience in Engineering, Aviation Maintenance, Quality, or related fields
- Significant experience in aviation maintenance or aerospace manufacturing
- Proven quality management experience in audits and CAPA
- Working knowledge of FAA Part 145 and AS9100D/AS9110C
- Proficiency with quality tools methods like root cause analysis
- ASQ or similar professional certifications
- Prior leadership in quality or regulatory compliance
- Experience with propeller systems repair/overhaul
GE Aerospace Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about GE Aerospace and has not been reviewed or approved by GE Aerospace.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage spans medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, behavioral health support, and some on‑site healthcare options. Wellbeing programs emphasize physical, emotional, and social support and are often characterized as part of a top‑notch package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs include a 401(k) with company contributions, long‑term financial planning tools, and vesting provisions. Legacy pension benefits remain for eligible employees despite the plan being frozen.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time‑off offerings include paid vacation, holidays, sick time, personal days, and flexible work arrangements, with permissive PTO noted for some salaried roles. Family support includes generous parental leave and adoption assistance.
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