Inspector - Aviation Safety

About the Role

Join the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand as an Inspector in the Monitoring and Inspection team, where you will leverage your aviation experience to enhance safety outcomes across the aviation sector. This permanent position is based in Wellington, Christchurch, or Auckland.

Your work will involve engaging with a diverse range of aviation organizations, from maintenance groups and airlines to helicopter operators, assessing and helping improve their safety performance. Tasks vary regularly, including on-site monitoring, contributing expertise to certification, licensing, education, and investigative processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and improve New Zealand’s aviation safety standards through regulatory activities.
• Conduct monitoring and inspection visits across various aviation organizations.
• Provide specialist knowledge to support certification, licensing, education, and investigations.
• Apply technical expertise and professional judgment within an established regulatory framework.
• Identify risks and promote continuous safety improvements and best practices.
• Travel domestically approximately 1-2 times each month, often requiring 2-3 nights away from home; occasional international travel may be required.

Candidate Requirements

• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence safety management at all organizational levels.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities combined with aviation technical expertise.
• Proven integrity, professionalism, and passion for enhancing aviation safety.
• Preferred backgrounds include:
• Aircraft maintenance experience within Part 145, 121, 125, or 135 operational environments.
• Commercial helicopter pilot experience.
• Possess ICAO-recognized aviation documentation such as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence (AMEL), Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), or equivalent qualifications and experience.
• Expertise in safety management, maintenance, operations, or training fields.
• Capability to build effective stakeholder relationships and provide objective safety assessments.
• Commitment to aviation safety improvement through systems and critical thinking.
• Sound professional judgment and ability to influence positive safety outcomes in complex scenarios.
• Full New Zealand Driver Licence and a valid passport are essential.

About the Organization

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of New Zealand is the country’s aviation safety and security regulator dedicated to protecting travelers and supporting the aviation sector. The organization values professionalism, respect, integrity, transparency, and collaboration, fostering an inclusive and empowering work environment.

Additional Information

• Salary range: NZD 115,536 to 161,412, dependent on experience and internal benchmarks.
• Multiple vacancies are available.
• The role requires regular domestic travel and occasional international travel.
• Applications close on Friday 21 August 2026.
• Applicants are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their cover letters.
• Accessibility support is offered to ensure a fair recruitment process.