Inspector

• Positively influence and improve New Zealand’s aviation safety performance
• Build on your wealth of experience, while working in a regulatory environment
• Permanent role based in Wellington, Christchurch, or Auckland

About the Role

This is an opportunity to take your aviation experience beyond day-to-day operations and use it to influence safety outcomes across the aviation system.

As an Inspector in our Monitoring and Inspection team, you'll work with a wide range of aviation organisations and professionals, helping them understand, assess and improve their safety performance. No two weeks are the same. One day you may be conducting monitoring activities with a maintenance organisation, an airline or a helicopter operator, the next you could be contributing specialist expertise to certification, licensing, education, or investigation activities.

The role offers a unique perspective of aviation, providing exposure to different operators, technologies, and operational environments throughout New Zealand. You'll be supported to broaden your regulatory knowledge, develop new skills, and build expertise in areas that contribute to safer aviation outcomes.

Working within an established regulatory framework, you'll combine technical expertise, professional judgement, and strong stakeholder engagement skills to identify risks, encourage continuous improvement, and promote best practice across the aviation system.

Travel is a regular part of the role and provides the opportunity to engage directly with aviation organisations throughout New Zealand. You can expect to be away from home for 2-3 nights, approximately one to two times each month. Travel is primarily domestic, although occasional international travel may be required. A full New Zealand Driver Licence and a valid passport are essential.

The salary band for the Inspector position is $115,536 to $161,412. Starting remuneration will be based on the knowledge, skills and experience you bring to the role, along with internal relativities across the organisation.

For more information on the role, please view the position description.

What You'll Bring

To be successful in this role you will possess excellent communication skills with the ability to influence the management of safety at all levels. Your critical thinking, technical expertise and aviation experience will provide highly valuable context for your regulatory work at the Civil Aviation Authority.

You will be respected by others for your integrity, professionalism and aviation experience and be passionate about improving safety performance.

There are currently multiple positions available. While we welcome applications from aviation professionals with a range of relevant backgrounds, strong preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate one of the following:

• Proven aircraft maintenance experience within Part 145, 121, 125 or 135 environments
• Commercial helicopter pilot experience

Applicants should also be able to demonstrate:

• An ICAO recognised aviation document e.g. an aircraft maintenance engineer licence (AMEL), pilot licence (CPL or ATPL) or equivalent qualification and experience in an airline or aircraft maintenance organisation or;
• Technical specialties in safety management, maintenance, operations or training
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work closely with external stakeholders and provide clear, objective decisions regarding potential safety issues
• A genuine commitment to improving aviation safety performance
• Systems thinking, critical thinking, and strong problem-solving abilities
• The ability to exercise sound professional judgement in complex situations and influence positive safety outcomes

About Us

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is New Zealand’s aviation safety and security regulator. We play a critical role in protecting the travelling public, supporting the aviation sector, and strengthening New Zealand’s international reputation.

Our vision is simple and powerful: A safe and secure aviation system – so people are safe, and feel safe when they fly.

Our values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration guide everything we do. We’re committed to diversity, inclusion, and creating a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to contribute.

Ready to Apply?

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submitting your CV and cover letter. Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the skills required for this role.

We want to ensure accessibility needs are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Please let us know if there is any support, we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible to you.

If you have any questions about the role or application process, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@caa.govt.nz

Applications close: Friday 21 August 2026