The Aviation Director of Maintenance at PNNL reports to the Aviation Operations Manager and is responsible for the safe, efficient, and legally compliant maintenance of all assigned aviation assets, including manned and unmanned platforms supporting science missions. This role involves hands-on maintenance, supervising a small maintenance/technical team, and providing technical oversight for the modification and delivery of a science-modified Bombardier Challenger 850. The Director develops and executes a comprehensive maintenance program, ensures airworthiness per FAA regulations, and coordinates maintenance planning with Flight Operations. Additionally, the role manages the maintenance budget, acts as a liaison to external authorities, and supports procurement and contract management for maintenance services.

Responsibilities

Reports to the Aviation Operations Manager (AOM). Promotes and supports the highest standards of safe maintenance for all assigned aviation assets supporting aviation and aviation-based research.
Responsible for maintenance of manned and unmanned platforms supporting science missions; performs hands-on maintenance and supervises a small maintenance/technical team, ensuring qualifications are maintained.
Provides maintenance support to pilots, ground crew, and research to enable mission completion, including mission/logistics planning for worldwide deployments of aircraft, support/science equipment, and maintenance tools/spares. Travel up to 25%; deployments up to six weeks.
Provides technical oversight for modification and delivery of the science-modified Bombardier Challenger 850 (CL-600-2B19), coordinating with the modification contractor and internal stakeholders.
Develops and executes a comprehensive maintenance program; ensures safe, efficient, and legally compliant maintenance across assigned assets, including oversight of PNNL and contracted personnel and sustainment of the maintenance shop and support equipment.
Maintains aircraft airworthiness per applicable FAA regulations, manufacturer instructions, and PNNL standards; ensures aircraft modifications are properly completed; removes from service any aircraft that is unsafe or not airworthy.
Oversees daily maintenance scheduling/assignments and issue resolution; coordinates long-range plans for scheduled maintenance, modifications, and major repairs with AOM/Flight Operations.
Maintains aircraft status reporting (including downtime forecasts and mechanical irregularities), current maintenance schedule, and out-of-service history.
Minimizes mission impacts from mechanical failures and parts unavailability through planning and efficient execution.
Ensures personnel comply with safety regulations/directives/procedures and special instructions; supports Safety Management System (SMS) implementation.
Maintains safe work areas (housekeeping, tool control, FOD control).
Develops and delivers training (lesson plans) for mechanics and UAS technicians; maintains current files for FAA regulations, Airworthiness Directives, and maintenance manuals; recommends specialized training to AOM.
Maintains hazardous materials inventory and Safety Data Sheets (SDS); coordinates with the Hazardous Materials Custodian.
Maintains tool control and tool/instrument calibration programs; keeps Ground Support Equipment (GSE) operational.
Manages stockroom inventory; researches manuals/catalogs/vendors to support parts/material ordering.
Supervises Parts Procurement Specialist (QA) to ensure proper incoming inspection and identification of Suspect/Counterfeit Items (S/CI).
Acts as liaison to external authorities (e.g., FAA) as directed by AOM.
Develops/manages the annual aviation maintenance budget as directed.
Supports Procurement in negotiating maintenance support; serves as Technical Officer’s Representative (TOR) for maintenance-related contracts and prepares Scopes of Work for outside maintenance agencies.

Requirements

High school diploma/GED or higher.
Certification from an organization accredited in aviation maintenance.
5+ years of FAA (or equivalent) regulated aircraft maintenance experience involving multi-engine turbine aircraft.
3+ years of maintenance leadership experience in a Director of Maintenance, supervisory, or inspector capacity.
FAA Mechanic Certificate with Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) ratings or equivalent.
Current FAA Inspection Authorization (IA) or equivalent.

Nice to have

Bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance technology, aerospace engineering, or related technical discipline.
10+ years providing/overseeing multi-engine turbine airframe maintenance.
5+ years maintaining Group 3/Large UAS (≥55 lb).
CL-600-2B19 experience (Regional Jet Series 100/440, Challenger SE, Challenger 850, CRJ100/200); working knowledge of Collins Pro Line 4 avionics.
Documented training: GE CF34 engines (CF34-3B1 preferred) and Honeywell 36-150 Series APU.
Sheet metal/fabrication; experience with computerized maintenance applications (e.g., Veryon/ATP Flightdocs); strong computer and communication skills.

Benefits

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.