Head of Airworthiness

Tasman Cargo Airlines is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Head of Airworthiness to lead our Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) and provide strategic leadership across our Engineering function.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this critical role is responsible for ensuring the continued airworthiness of our aircraft fleet while maintaining compliance with CASA regulatory requirements, company exposition standards, and industry best practices. The successful candidate will play a key leadership role in driving safety, operational excellence, quality assurance, and continuous improvement across the organisation.

WHO WE ARE

Since 1996, Tasman Cargo Airlines has been a trusted name in Australian cargo aviation, connecting key supply chain routes across Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. We pride ourselves on our strong safety culture, collaborative mindset, and commitment to continuous improvement. This is an opportunity to lead a critical function within the airline, driving airworthiness, regulatory excellence, and engineering performance while helping shape the future growth and success of Tasman Cargo Airlines.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Head of Airworthiness, you will lead the engineering and continuing airworthiness function, ensuring all activities are conducted safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with CASA regulations, including CASR 1998 and Part 42 Manual of Standards (MOS).

You will be the principal CASA liaison for continuing airworthiness matters, oversee maintenance planning and regulatory compliance, manage key engineering personnel, and support the growth and operational success of Tasman Cargo Airlines.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Ensure ongoing compliance with CASA regulations, including CASR Part 42 MOS and company approvals.

• Maintain airworthiness policies, procedures, and standards.

• Advise the Accountable Manager and Executive Leadership on regulatory and operational risks.

• Act as the primary CASA liaison for continuing airworthiness matters.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead and develop the Engineering function to achieve organisational objectives.

• Mentor, coach and manage direct reports and key engineering personnel.

• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

• Ensure personnel are appropriately trained, competent, and authorised.

Continuing Airworthiness Management

• Provide oversight of maintenance planning, scheduling, and resource allocation.

• Ensure compliance with Airworthiness Directives, Mandatory Service Bulletins, and mandatory ICA requirements.

• Monitor defect rectification and deferred defect management.

• Maintain an effective Approved Maintenance Program and Reliability Program.

• Ensure Airworthiness Reviews are conducted in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Quality, Safety & Improvement

• Lead quality and compliance initiatives across Engineering.

• Support internal and external audit activities and corrective action programs.

• Champion Safety Management System (SMS) principles and positive safety outcomes.

• Drive process improvement and operational excellence initiatives.

• Ensure technical records and documentation are maintained in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Contractor & Supplier Oversight

• Manage contracted maintenance providers and engineering service providers.

• Ensure aviation products, materials, tooling, and equipment are controlled and managed in accordance with approved procedures.

WHY JOIN US

✈️ Generous executive incentive schemes, bonuses and strategic operational influence
🎓 Up to 50% study support for continued professional development
💪 $1,500 annual wellness benefit for fitness, health, and wellbeing
💼 Access to highly experienced aviation professionals and industry networks
🎉 Collaborative culture with regular team and family events
🌏 Get involved in ESG, diversity, inclusion, and community initiatives
🛍️ Additional perks including parking options, discounts, matched charity donations, and more!

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role, you will bring significant aviation engineering leadership experience together with strong regulatory knowledge and a passion for safety and compliance.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Eligible to apply for a CASA Key Personnel position as Continuing Airworthiness Manager in accordance with CASR Part 42 MOS.

• Relevant aircraft maintenance engineering qualifications and/or CASA Aircraft Maintenance Licence (as applicable).

• Extensive leadership experience within airline or aviation engineering environments.

• Comprehensive knowledge of CASA regulations, including: CASR Part 42, CASR Part 145, CASR Part 21, and related Manual of Standards (MOS).

• Demonstrated experience with Safety Management Systems (SMS), quality assurance, and human factors programs.

• Exceptional leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to lead high-performing teams, manage operational priorities, and drive a culture of continuous improvement.

• Demonstrated experience managing contracted maintenance providers, leading organisational change initiatives, and delivering process improvement initiatives.

Eligibility Requirements

• Full Australian working rights.

• Eligible to obtain and maintain all required aviation security clearances, airport access permits, and regulatory approvals associated with the position.

• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as required to support operational, regulatory, and business requirements across the Tasman Cargo Airlines network.

• Successful completion of pre-employment screening, including drug and alcohol testing and a National Police Check.

Applications close on 31 August 2026. As applications will be reviewed as they are received, interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.

Tasman Cargo Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We value the diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds that people bring to our organisation. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates of all backgrounds, identities and abilities. If you require any workplace adjustments or support throughout the recruitment process, please let us know.

If you're enthusiastic about this opportunity and believe you can make a significant contribution to Tasman Cargo Airlines, we encourage you to apply. For a confidential discussion or questions not addressed in this ad, please contact the People Team at ••••@tasmancargo.com.