When it comes to the aerospace industry, there is no room for compromises in quality, consistency and safety. In 2025, flying hours are expected to hit record highs, requiring even more aircraft and services than what are currently available. With growing pressure, manufacturers face numerous challenges, including finding suitable suppliers amidst supply chain uncertainty, stocking up on inventory and continuing to produce quality products that help ensure safety for end use.

One of the key components of ensuring that manufacturers create products that meet industry standards is certification to AS9100: Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Aviation, Space, and Defense Organizations(AS9100). Aerospace auditors are crucial in auditing manufacturers to the standard; however, the industry is facing an extreme shortage of auditors that will only continue to grow without significant retention and recruitment. This critical issue affects aerospace manufacturers, suppliers and government contracts worldwide. Industry professionals must understand the importance of AS9100 auditors, the reasons auditors are leaving the field and why a career move to auditing is not only useful, but how it can also help the industry meet demands.

AS9100 Auditors and Their Importance

Manufacturing parts for the aerospace, defense and aviation industries involves unique requirements and challenges. AS9100 was developed in 1999 to fulfill the need for an industry benchmark that evaluates safety and quality. It’s no surprise that the standard has become a common requirement for companies seeking to demonstrate best practices and bid on government and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) projects. With AS9100 requirements, if suppliers are unable to secure an audit date to earn or maintain certification, they will be disqualified from bidding on projects. This could lead to a trickle-down effect that exacerbates supply chain shortages, especially in the case of trade wars. AS9100 auditors play a critical role in the certification process, helping to address this challenge.

Certification to AS9100 is growing not only due to increased contract requirements, but also because verified product claims and manufacturing practices help manufacturers increase their competitive advantage in the marketplace. As a result, AS9100 is more in demand than ever before. While third-party auditors working for a certification body can help an organization achieve certification to AS9100, there are also other types of auditors, such as second-party auditors from suppliers and internal auditors. All auditors evaluate an organization’s compliance with stringent standard requirements, identifying non-conformities that need to be fixed, reviewing documentation, evaluating processes and helping organizations improve their quality management system (QMS). Auditors can help an organization determine whether it meets the requirements needed to earn certification.

The Need for Auditors is Increasing

Within the aerospace auditing industry, many skilled auditors are retiring from the field. Meanwhile, auditing companies struggle to fill vacant positions. In addition to demographic shifts, upcoming standard changes for AS9101 and the AS9104 series of standards will require auditors to retest to transition to the updated standards. This may create a situation where even more auditors voluntarily leave the profession, despite the fact that aerospace auditing offers a great career path. Additionally, the standard updates will increase the duration of some audits, only increasing the need for additional auditor resources.

While qualification testing and the required knowledge in QMS can be deterrents for young professionals who don’t yet have experience, auditing remains a highly attainable career path for those already in the industry. The experience required to become an AS9100 auditor currently includes having four years of experience in the aerospace industry within the last 10 years. However, many qualified candidates are unaware of the opportunity and eligibility. This highlights an education gap, considering many professionals within the field are qualified for a career path in auditing if they choose to pursue it.

Addressing the Auditor Shortage

As an industry, we are fortunate to have highly skilled and educated professionals across a diverse range of occupations. Experienced OEM professionals and military veterans with aerospace backgrounds are just a few examples of the talent that we already have. By leveraging the backgrounds and expertise of these individuals, we can help fill the labor gap we are experiencing, deliver quality products and meet demand.

Many are unaware of the flexibility that comes with an auditing career. Auditors have the flexibility to create their own schedules, determining which audits they want to conduct and where they will be performed. This is a great perk for those who love to travel and see new places.

In addition to being a highly demanded profession that provides job stability, auditor compensation is generous. For those who want to maintain their primary job but are seeking additional income, auditing can offer a flexible second career opportunity. Many OEMs even encourage their staff to become auditors, as they want in-house expertise to help identify non-conformities before an actual audit takes place.

Auditing offers a rewarding opportunity for those who value professional development and ongoing learning. Within the profession, there are continuously new technologies and regulations to stay updated on. For example, new, high-tech manufacturing machinery and processes, including 3D printing, robotics, AI and computer numerical control (CNC) machinery require auditors to remain knowledgeable about the latest technology. Just as in other professions, innovation and technology play an increasingly prominent role in auditing. The stereotypical image of an auditor with a clipboard in hand is being replaced by that of an auditor with a smart tablet. AS9100 certifications, for example, are managed through a centralized searchable database known as OASIS. This provides auditors with opportunities to work digitally and learn about some of the latest innovations in aerospace manufacturing and auditing processes.

Evolving as an Industry

As aerospace professionals, we constantly face new challenges that require us to remain agile. The reduced auditor workforce is just one of many challenges we face amid the growing demand for aerospace products and potential supply chain pressures. To keep up with demand while ensuring product quality and safety are intact, we must address the reduced auditor workforce head-on.

Aerospace auditing is an excellent profession that offers individuals many benefits. By increasing awareness of the demand for auditors and the experience eligibility that many professionals already possess in the workforce, we can help address the auditor shortage. This will help the industry remain eligible to bid on projects that require AS9100 certification, reduce supply chain pressures, and continue to verify quality and safety requirements outlined in the standard. Ensuring that we continue to operate at a world-class level, with the help of a robust auditor pool, is a responsibility that we all must uphold to create reliable products for generations to come.