Aircraft Maintenance Operations Manager

Jimmy Jazz; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Employee referral program

Job summary

Davcor Aviation Services is seeking an Aircraft Maintenance Operations Manager – Fuel Systems to oversee fuel tank and fuel systems maintenance for Chicago-area operations. You will direct technicians, manage multiple aircraft work scopes, and ensure work is completed safely and in accordance with technical and regulatory requirements.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years of aviation maintenance experience, with a focus on fuel systems or aircraft structures, and demonstrate strong leadership and

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of aviation maintenance experience.
• Experience in fuel systems or aircraft structures preferred.
• Proven ability to lead and develop maintenance personnel.
• Strong reading of technical manuals, drawings, and maintenance instructions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and scheduling skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day maintenance activities focused on fuel tank and fuel systems.
• Coordinate technicians on fuel tank inspection and repair work.
• Oversee multiple aircraft projects, scopes, and schedules.
• Ensure adherence to procedures, data, and customer requirements.
• Manage manpower, materials, and tools to meet deadlines.
• Maintain safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Support aircraft structures-related tasks when needed.
• Communicate project progress to customers and leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Aviation maintenance

Fuel systems

Fuel tank maintenance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

• Location 10000 West O'Hare Avenue,Chicago, IL, 60666,United States
• Base Pay $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 / Year
• Employee Type Non-Exempt FT

Description

Aircraft Maintenance Operations Manager – Fuel Systems

Location: Chicago, IL | Travel Required as Needed
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $70,000–$85,000 per year

About Davcor Aviation Services

Davcor Aviation Services specializes in aircraft fuel systems maintenance and repair, providing technical aviation services built around safety, quality, accountability, and operational performance.

Founded in 2016, Davcor has grown from its roots in aircraft fuel tank maintenance by developing an experienced workforce capable of supporting demanding aircraft maintenance environments and customer requirements.

We are committed to developing long-term aviation professionals and creating opportunities for employees to grow from hands-on technical positions into leadership roles.

The Opportunity

Davcor Aviation Services is seeking an experienced Aircraft Maintenance Operations Manager – Fuel Systems to oversee aviation maintenance operations in the Chicago area.

This is a hands-on operational leadership position with a primary focus on aircraft fuel tank and fuel systems maintenance. The Site Manager will be responsible for leading technicians, coordinating multiple aircraft work scopes, supporting customers, managing project costs and schedules, and ensuring work is performed safely and in accordance with applicable technical and regulatory requirements.

The ideal candidate brings strong aircraft maintenance experience with a background in fuel tank maintenance, fuel systems, aircraft structures, heavy maintenance, or a combination of these disciplines.

While previous aircraft fuel tank experience is strongly valued, candidates with substantial aircraft structures experience may also bring highly transferable skills, particularly experience with aircraft access, structural inspection, technical drawings, repair procedures, sealants, fasteners, and work performed within commercial aircraft heavy-maintenance environments.

Primary Responsibilities

Fuel Tank & Aircraft Maintenance Operations

Lead day-to-day aircraft maintenance activities with a primary emphasis on fuel tank and fuel systems maintenance and repair

Coordinate technicians performing fuel tank inspection, maintenance, repair, and related aircraft work

Oversee multiple aircraft projects and work orders while maintaining awareness of scope, manpower, materials, schedule, and customer expectations

Support maintenance involving aircraft fuel tanks, fuel system components, access panels, associated structures, and related systems

Ensure employees follow approved maintenance procedures, technical data, customer requirements, and company processes

Monitor work progression and address potential manpower, material, tooling, technical, or scheduling issues before they affect project completion

Maintain a strong presence within active maintenance areas and remain engaged with technicians performing the work

Coordinate resources across multiple aircraft and active work scopes

Support irregular, AOG, or time-sensitive maintenance requirements when necessary

Fuel Tank Maintenance & Technical Oversight

Provide operational oversight for aircraft fuel tank maintenance, inspection, and repair activities

Support work involving fuel tank access, inspection, troubleshooting, repair, sealing, and restoration

Ensure proper procedures are followed when opening, accessing, maintaining, and closing aircraft fuel tanks

Reinforce appropriate use and application of sealants, consumable materials, tools, and maintenance procedures

Coordinate work involving fuel leaks, sealing discrepancies, access panels, fasteners, and related structural conditions

Ensure technicians have the proper technical information, equipment, PPE, materials, and resources necessary to safely complete assigned work

Support planning and manpower decisions based on aircraft type, work scope, complexity, and scheduled completion requirements

Work closely with Quality, customer representatives, maintenance personnel, and leadership when discrepancies or additional maintenance requirements are identified

Promote proper documentation and closeout of completed maintenance activities

Aircraft Structures Support

Although fuel tank maintenance is the primary focus of this position, aircraft structures knowledge is highly beneficial.

The Site Manager may oversee or coordinate work involving:

Aircraft structural inspection and minor repair

Fuel tank access panels and surrounding aircraft structure

Removal and installation of aircraft fasteners and structural components

Drilling, reaming, countersinking, riveting, and fastener replacement

Evaluation of corrosion, damage, or discrepancies identified during fuel tank maintenance

Reading and interpreting structural drawings, technical specifications, SRMs, AMMs, engineering instructions, and other approved technical data

Coordination of structural discrepancies with Quality, Engineering, customers, and other maintenance personnel

Direct, coach, and support aircraft fuel systems technicians and other assigned maintenance personnel

Coordinate employee schedules, staffing requirements, hiring, training, and operational resources

Evaluate manpower requirements based on aircraft workload, technical skill requirements, and project deadlines

Communicate daily priorities and expectations to technicians, leads, management, and supporting departments

Participate in daily operational meetings with the Director of Operations

Ensure employees receive the tools, equipment, technical information, PPE, and training necessary to safely perform assigned work

Develop employees and identify opportunities for advancement within the organization

Reinforce expectations surrounding safety, workmanship, attendance, productivity, and accountability

Customer & Project Management

Serve as an operational point of contact for customers and internal stakeholders

Maintain awareness of aircraft status, work scope, project milestones, staffing, and anticipated completion dates

Communicate project progress, maintenance findings, operational concerns, and schedule changes as appropriate

Respond to customer concerns professionally and promptly

Prepare and review operational correspondence, reports, and project documentation

Support operations during high-volume, irregular, or time-sensitive maintenance periods

Maintain a strong focus on quality, turnaround time, and customer satisfaction

Budget & Cost Control

Oversee financial performance and spending associated with approximately 10–15 active aircraft work orders

Prepare, administer, and monitor project quotes and bids

Evaluate labor and staffing requirements against aircraft work scope and scheduled completion dates

Monitor project costs and identify opportunities to improve efficiency

Manage payroll and workforce utilization with an emphasis on controlling unnecessary overtime

Monitor attendance and lost time while consistently administering company attendance policies

Balance labor, materials, customer expectations, and project schedules to support profitable operations

Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance

Maintain operational compliance within a safety-sensitive, FAA-regulated aviation maintenance environment

Reinforce company and customer safety procedures associated with aircraft fuel tank and confined-space maintenance

Ensure required procedures and controls are followed before and during fuel tank entry and maintenance activities

Promote proper use of PPE and applicable safety equipment

Reinforce proper use of approved technical data, maintenance documentation, Standard Operating Procedures, and customer requirements

Work with Quality personnel to address maintenance discrepancies and workmanship concerns

Investigate operational discrepancies and compile information required for reporting and corrective actions

Complete delay analyses, irregularity reports, and related operational documentation

Ensure employees complete required initial and recurrent training

Maintain accurate training, procedural, and compliance records

Qualifications & Experience

Required:

Minimum 3 years of aviation maintenance experience

Experience within aircraft maintenance, MRO, heavy maintenance, modification, repair, fuel systems, aircraft structures, or a comparable aviation environment

Demonstrated ability to lead and develop maintenance personnel

Working knowledge of aircraft maintenance processes and technical documentation

Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, drawings, specifications, and maintenance instructions

Ability to manage manpower and resources across multiple aircraft work scopes

Strong decision-making skills in demanding and time-sensitive environments

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Strong organizational, administrative, and analytical abilities

Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other computer-based systems

High school diploma or equivalent

Ability to work in hangar, ramp, aircraft, and outdoor environments

Ability to work varying shifts, extended hours, weekends, holidays, and overtime as operational requirements dictate

Highly Desired Experience

Candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply:

Aircraft fuel tank maintenance and repair

Fuel leak troubleshooting and repair

Fuel tank sealing and sealant application

Aircraft fuel tank entry and confined-space work

Commercial aircraft heavy maintenance

Aircraft structures or sheet metal

Structural repair and modification

Aircraft access panel removal and installation

Reading and interpreting AMMs, SRMs, engineering drawings, and other approved technical data

Leading aircraft maintenance technicians or project teams

Estimating manpower, materials, labor hours, and project timelines

Coordinating maintenance activities with Quality, Engineering, Planning, and customer representatives

Previous experience leading aircraft fuel tank maintenance teams or projects is especially valuable.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous aviation lead, supervisor, site manager, or project management experience

Aircraft structures or sheet metal experience

Commercial aircraft MRO or heavy-maintenance experience

Experience managing multiple aircraft work packages simultaneously

Willingness and ability to travel up to 25%

This position operates across office, hangar, ramp, aircraft, and active maintenance environments. The Aircraft Maintenance Operations Manager should be comfortable transitioning between administrative responsibilities and direct operational leadership throughout the workday.

Because of the nature of Davcor's work, the position may require regular exposure to aircraft maintenance environments, varying temperatures, outdoor conditions, and fuel tank/confined-space operations.

Schedules may include:

8-, 10-, or 12-hour shifts

Day and night operations

Weekends and holidays

On-call responsibilities

Overtime and extended hours

Benefits available to eligible employees include:

401(k)

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Employee referral program

Build Your Career With Davcor

This opportunity is well suited for an aviation professional who understands aircraft maintenance from the ground level and is ready to take ownership of an active operation.

Whether your technical foundation was built primarily in aircraft fuel tank maintenance, fuel systems, aircraft structures, or commercial heavy maintenance, Davcor is looking for a leader who understands the work, can earn the respect of technicians, effectively manage customer expectations, and keep aircraft projects moving safely and efficiently.

For an experienced fuel systems professional who has progressed from technician to lead, supervisor, or manager, this position offers the opportunity to apply both technical expertise and leadership experience while helping develop the next generation of Davcor technicians.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Davcor Aviation Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.