Aircraft Maintenance Manager

driscolls; Watsonville (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer match

Profit-sharing participation

Paid sick time

Paid vacation

Paid personal and family care leave

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Driscoll's is seeking an Aircraft Maintenance Manager in California to oversee the maintenance of the company fleet (King Air 350, Falcon 2000LX) and coordinate with Solairus Aviation and other providers under FAR Part 91 and Part 135 operations.

You will serve as the maintenance SME, guiding management and flight crews, leading cross-functional projects, and driving downtime reduction while ensuring safety, compliance, and reliability.

Qualifications

• FAA-issued Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license with Inspector Aircraft (IA)
• 10+ years of heavy maintenance on turbine-powered aircraft
• Ability to pass a rigorous background check
• Valid driver’s license with clean record
• Pre-employment and random drug/alcohol testing per Part 135

Responsibilities

• Serve as the company’s aviation maintenance subject matter expert and provide technical guidance
• Lead cross-functional teams to minimize downtime, AOGs, and unplanned repairs
• Identify and resolve complex technical issues with company aircraft
• Collaborate with Senior Manager, Aviation to support operations and growth
• Support people leadership and engagement initiatives
• Travel up to 10% domestically and internationally as needed
• Represent Driscoll’s professionally with growers, colleagues, and suppliers

Skills

Aviation leadership

Maintenance planning

Safety/compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

FAA A&P + IA licenses

Job description

About the Opportunity

The Aircraft Maintenance Manager at Driscoll's oversees all aspects of aircraft maintenance, including recordkeeping, maintenance planning, AOG response, and scheduled and unscheduled maintenance for the company fleet, which currently includes a King Air 350 and Falcon 2000LX. This role partners closely with Solairus Aviation and other third-party providers to ensure safe, compliant, and reliable operations. The position serves as the company's maintenance subject matter expert, providing technical guidance and aviation best practices to management and flight crews. Company aircraft primarily operate under FAR Part 91, with additional operations conducted under Solairus Aviation's Part 135 certificate.

Responsibilities

• The Manager of Aircraft Maintenance will serve as the company's resident expert in aviation technology and will work independently, requiring guidance only in the most complex situations.


• This role will lead cross-functional teams and projects to ensure Driscoll's aircraft are maintained to the highest standards. Key objectives include minimizing unnecessary downtime, aircraft on ground (AOG) occurrences, and unplanned repair activities.


• Lead the identification and resolution of complex technical issues involving company aircraft, using a broad perspective to develop innovative solutions, concepts, methods, and techniques.


• Manage maintenance activities in collaboration with the Senior Manager, Aviation, to support operational objectives and planned growth.


• Contribute to the business unit's people priorities and objectives, including leadership effectiveness, employee engagement, and enabling team members to perform at their best.


• Domestic and international travel up to 10% may be required.


• Represent Driscoll's in an ethical, professional, and businesslike manner in all interactions with growers, colleagues, suppliers, customers, and the broader business community.

Candidate Profile

• FAA-issued Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) plus Inspector Aircraft (IA) licenses which have never been suspended or revoked.


• 10+ years' experience with heavy maintenance on turbine powered aircraft as well as general upkeep.


• Must pass a rigorous background check.


• Must possess a valid driver's license with no serious violation history.


• Pre-employment as well as random drug/alcohol testing will be conducted in accordance with Part 135.

Preferred Qualifications & Leadership Competencies

The perfect fit for Driscoll's is a highly motivated team player who values creating and maintaining a positive work environment.

The ideal candidate will reflect Driscoll's core values of Trustworthiness, Humility and Passion.

Ability to work well under time pressures, adapt to working outside the M-F daytime work hours when necessary, and communicate effectively with others are just some of the attributes we're looking for.

California driver's license and the ability to be covered under company-sponsored vehicle insurance program.

A valid passport and the ability to travel internationally without restrictions.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range estimated for this role: $107,700 to $140,010 USD per year.

Driscoll's is committed to a culture of care and offers an attractive benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and disability coverage for positions working more than 30 hours per week. Other benefits include:

• 401(k) with employer match, profit-sharing participation, paid sick time, paid vacation, paid personal and family care leave, and a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

More detailed information regarding the benefits package will be shared during the application process.