Director, Aircraft Maintenance

Job Summary

Auburn University’s School of Aviation is seeking to fill a Director of Aircraft Maintenance position, that is responsible for the planning, development, execution, and evaluation of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and repair for the Department of Professional Flight, ensuring fleet reliability and smooth operations.

The selected candidate will develop, maintain, and implement long-term goals and plans that complement the School’s growth strategy, ensuring operations are conducted safely and in compliance with AU policy and procedures and FAA regulations and guidelines.

The Auburn University School of Aviation through education, research and outreach programs, develops highly desired graduates and thought leaders who will serve as a positive force in aviation and the world. Auburn University has been actively involved in aviation education for more than 80 years. We are centrally located in Alabama and well-connected to a hub of world-class aviation headquarters and organizations throughout the United States. Essential Functions

• Develops and executes strategies for maintaining Auburn University (AU) flight training aircraft and equipment (owned and leased) and external customer aircraft. Through subordinate staff, identifies and implements continuous improvement initiatives to ensure operational effectiveness. Leads the development, communication, and implementation of efficient operational procedures, policies, and effective growth strategies for the department.
• Provides leadership and operational support to a team of Aviation Maintenance Technicians, ensuring the department is sufficiently staffed, organized, trained, and fulfilling its responsibilities. Ensures staffing levels are optimized for all planned and anticipated activities occurring throughout the day, as well as after hours and on nights and weekends, as required. Full supervisory responsibility of others.
• Oversees all inspections, repairs, and component changes and ensures the accompanying documentation are accomplished in accordance with the manufacturer or FAA approved procedures, conforming to quality control standards, on schedule, and in compliance with FAA regulations. Plans and prepares maintenance and repair estimates, determines scope of work, schedules, and assigns qualified personnel based on skill levels.
• Ensures maintenance methods, procedures, and documentation are in compliance, through subordinate staff, with applicable Federal Aviation Administration approved procedures or accepted industry best practices, as applicable. Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state and university regulatory requirements including, but not limited to, work standards, quality, safety, health, environmental, and personnel management.
• Develop and oversee the maintenance department’s budget. Assess and purchase equipment, software, and tools needed for maintenance tasks. Negotiate with vendors and manufacturers for parts, services, and aircraft acquisitions.
• Establish and enforce safety standards and quality control procedures. Conduct internal audits and participate in FAA inspections and audits. Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety and efficiency.
• Responsible for the aircraft, tooling, equipment, materials, inventory, and activities within the hangar(s) and on the adjacent ramp(s) for all department personnel. Evaluates new equipment, software, tooling, or other technologies to enhance the quality of the maintenance program.
• Maintains all necessary records and logbooks, including certification in the aircraft permanent maintenance records that the aircraft is approved and returned to service.
• Establishes and maintains a positive working relationship between the aircraft maintenance operation and customers, vendors, service providers, and federal, state, and university regulatory agencies.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact : Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence : We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You : Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama : The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone : Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Some college coursework completed, or a vocational, Associate’s degree, or higher, in Business Management or a related field.
• Experience: 5 years of supervisory/management experience in aircraft servicing, inspection, and repair under Aircraft Federal Aviation Regulations with progressively increasing levels of responsibility and accountability.
• FAA Airframe and Power plant (A&P) Mechanic certifications are required.

Minimum Skills, License, and Certifications

Minimum Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of aircraft maintenance practices.
• Ability to effectively interact and tactfully communicate with various regulatory agencies’ personnel, both in person and in writing.
• Must be able to read, write and understand safety plans, rules, maintenance instructions, training manuals, Material Safety Data Sheets ( MSDS ), maintenance bulletins and procedure manuals.
• Must be able to interpret and understand FAA Airworthiness Directives and manufacturers Service Bulletins and Service Letters.
• Strong computer skills, including inventory and purchasing as well as aircraft maintenance records and manuals.

All senses must be correctable to performance required by industrial workplace safety standards (to include Color Vision (Snelling), Near/Intermediate Vision corrected to 20/20, sense of touch, hearing, and smell sufficient to detect subtle differences in condition or presentation that could affect the quality and safety of environment and work performed.

Minimum Technology Skills

Strong computer skills, including Inventory and Purchasing as well as Aircraft Maintenance Records and Manuals.

Minimum License and Certifications

FAA certificated Airframe and Power plant (A&P) Mechanic required.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience serving as Director of Maintenance (or military equivalent) level of responsibility and additional years of experience desired.
• Additional aviation maintenance-related certification and ratings.
• Experience with FAA Part 145 Repair Station operations.
• Familiarity with operational and regulatory requirements of FAA Part 141 flight training programs.
• Safety Management System ( SMS ) Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Maintenance, Aviation Management, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution.