Job Description:Airbus Americas, Inc is looking for a
A320 Senior Manager, Aviation Safety Management System (SMS) & Operational Quality to join our team based in
Mobile, AL.The Senior Manager, Aviation Safety Management System (SMS) & Operational Quality holds strategic and operational oversight for site-wide aviation safety, Foreign Object Debris (FOD) prevention, and industrial quality excellence across the Mobile facility. This dual-function role acts as the primary authority for site-wide Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) governing all four pillars of safety risk management, safety assurance, safety policy, and safety promotion-while simultaneously leading strategic FOD prevention and process adherence across the full aircraft lifecycle (FAL to Customer Delivery). By unifying aviation safety governance, EASA/FAA compliance standards, and Airbus Operating System (AOS) continuous improvement frameworks, this role directly safeguards product conformity, flight safety, workforce protection, and organizational production privileges.
Your Challenges:1. Strategic Safety Management System (SMS) Leadership - Direct and execute the four pillars of the site Safety Management System (SMS) across local operations, ensuring alignment with central Airbus Corporate Safety directives and EASA/FAA regulatory standards
- Manage a team of 18-23 SMS Representatives and Delegates, providing continuous coaching, setting operational targets, and driving multi-functional problem-solving (MFT) initiatives.
- Lead SMS Case Investigations, Safety Risk Management (SRM) assessments, and systemic threat evaluations, establishing sustainable corrective actions and maintaining site risk databases.
- Govern Management of Change (MoC) safety assessments for industrial ramp-ups and line modifications, ensuring on-time release and compliance.
- Drive site-wide Safety Culture programs and author/deliver comprehensive safety training curricula across all employee levels.
2. FOD Eradication, Quality Standards & Governance - Serve as the Site Subject Matter Expert (SME) and strategic lead for FOD eradication, managing the Mobile FOD Roadmap 2025+ and reversing non-conformance trends.
- Enforce FOD process adherence across FAL, Flight-Line, and Customer Line operations in accordance with Quality Management System (QMS) rules, EN9100/9110, EASA, and FAA frameworks.
- Direct Practical Problem Solving (PPS), Kaizen, and Root Cause Analysis (5-Why, Human Factors) for complex FOD events and Safety Related Items (SARI).
- Define product conformity attestation standards, optimize inspection learning paths, and build robust delegated inspector networks.
- Establish advanced site-level FOD Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) linked to Top Company Objectives to drive down the Cost of Non-Quality (CoNQ).
3. Airbus Operating System (AOS) & Industrial Strategy Deployment - Lead the site AOS (Lean/Continuous Improvement) strategy within Quality, deploying operational bricks across HSE, EEM, PSE, PCL, and PEM domains.
- Establish and mentor a dedicated network of AOS Change Agents to advance operational maturity and standardized ways of working for both shop floor and management teams.
- Align local operational performance targets with cross-site (A220/A320) and central European networks to standardize best practices.
4. Regulatory Interface & Executive Governance - Host external regulatory bodies (EASA, FAA) and internal corporate audit teams during safety and quality evaluations.
- Represent site interests in executive-level Multi-Functional Teams (MFTs), SQCDP routines, and cross-site harmonization committees.
- Execute other strategic quality and safety duties as assigned by leadership.
Your Boarding Pass: - Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Technical Management, or a related technical discipline is required.
- 10+ years of progressive experience within international aerospace manufacturing, aircraft quality management, safety management systems, or aircraft installation environments.
- Proven track record leading multi-functional teams in a process-driven aviation culture.
- Deep operational expertise with EASA/FAA airworthiness regulations, QMS standards (EN9100/9110), and Safety Management System (SMS) implementations.
- Strong mastery of Lean manufacturing, Airbus Operating System (AOS) principles, Practical Problem Solving (PPS), Root Cause Analysis, Kaizen, and Human Factors integration.
- English language is required
- Google suite
- Management/leadership skills to control and direct a multifunction team
- Able to interface with multiple internal and external suppliers.
- High professionalism and respect for processes and procedures.
- Able to interface with multi-level of Management.
- Able to make quick decisions based on available information and Managing associated risk/threat.
- High ability to connect to the Quality Community across sites.
Preferred: - Master's degree in Engineering Management, Aerospace Engineering, or Business Administration (MBA).
Licensure/Certifications: Travel Required: - 30% Domestic and International
Citizenship: - Eligible for employment in the U.S. without sponsorship
Clearance: Physical Requirements: - Onsite or remote: 70% onsite and 30% remote
- Vision: able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.
- Hearing: able to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on the production floor including safety warnings or alarms.
- Speaking: able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.
- Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts.
- Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 10lbs/14kgs.
- Lifting: able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 10lbs/14kgs. Pushing /
- Pulling: able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools. Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on the computer.
- Squatting / Kneeling: able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.
- Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on the production floor. Travel: able to travel independently and at short notice.
- Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents): able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces.
- Personal Protective Equipment required: Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection.
- Administrative position only PPE required: Steel-toed shoes are required for all shop floor visits, appropriate hearing/eye protection may also be required when visiting the shop floor.
A full job description will be provided to candidates who progress to the interview stage or any candidate upon request.This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company's success, reputation and sustainable growth.
Company:Airbus Americas, Inc.
Employment Type:US - Direct Hire
Experience Level:Professional
Remote Type:On-site
Job Family:Improvement & Performance Management
Job Posting End Date: 09.09.2026
