Aircraft Mechanic III (Team Lead) – 2nd Shift

Adams Communication & Engineering Technology (ACET, Inc.); Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Dental Coverage

401(k) Program

Paid Time Off

11 Holidays

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance

Wellness Programs

Job summary

Adams Communication & Engineering Technology (ACET), Incorporated seeks a skilled Aircraft Mechanic III (Team Lead) for the F/A-18E/F at NAS Oceana. You will supervise a cell of technicians, certify maintenance to NAVAIR standards, and drive readiness under dynamic flight schedules.

The role requires hands-on leadership, deep avionics knowledge, and the ability to manage OOMA/NALCOMIS data, tool control, and stringent safety practices in a high-tempo naval environment.

Qualifications

• 5–6+ years of aviation maintenance, with at least 3 years on F/A-18E/F at the O or D level.
• Active DoD Secret Security Clearance required.
• Navy/Marine aviation rating (e.g., AM, AD, AT, AE, AZ) at PO2 (E-5) or above preferred.
• Mastery of Navy avionics environments: OOMA, NALCOMIS, DECKPLATE, and JTDI.
• Ability to read, interpret, and isolate failures from blueprints and schematics.
• F/A-18E/F CDI, Plane Captain qualifications, or eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily shift operations, assign tasks, manage work-center workflow and ensure on-time delivery of mission-capable aircraft.
• Perform and supervise deep O-level maintenance, including troubleshooting, testing, and alignment of avionics, pneudraulics, landing gear, ECS, and engines.
• Inspect and certify work per NAVAIR manuals; check tolerances and log data into OOMA/NALCOMIS.
• Enforce Tool Control Program, conduct FOD walks, and maintain hazard-free workspaces on flight line and hangar decks.
• Provide guidance and OJT to Mechanic I/II; ensure qualification and safety compliance.
• Coordinate rapid launch/recovery, hot-pit refuels, safety turns, and cross-decking under demanding schedules at NAS Oceana.

Skills

Aviation maintenance

F/A-18E/F experience

DoD Secret Clearance

NAVAIR/NALCOMIS/OOMA

Leadership/Team lead

Blueprints and schematics

CDI/Plane Captain qualifications

Tools

NALCOMIS

JTDI

DECKPLATE

OOMA

Job description

Adams Communication & Engineering Technology (ACET), Incorporated is a Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) system engineering and information technology firm. Incorporated in 1999, we support mission critical Information Technology (IT) business needs for clients within the intelligence community (IC), Department of Defense (DOD), Veteran Administration (VA) and for select commercial clients. ACET, Inc.’s technical, programmatic, and analytical professionals are experts in commercial technology, customized solutions, and proprietary government systems.

The Position:

ACET is seeking is looking for talented Aircraft Mechanic III (Team Lead) — F/A-18E/F Aircraft – 2nd Shiftpersonnel.

This position is awaiting contract award.

Serve as a hands-on crew chief and tactical technical director, the Aircraft Mechanic III (Team Lead) coordinates production flow and drives asset readiness for the VFC-12 'Fighting Omars' at NAS Oceana. This critical leadership role acts as the primary conduit between the hangar deck floor and the Site Supervisor, ensuring strict compliance with the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP), supervising a dedicated cell of technicians, and certifying safe for flight technical execution on Adversary mission-configured F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.

Responsibilities:

• Direct daily shift operations, distribute maintenance tasks to junior mechanics, manage work-center workflow, and ensure the on-time delivery of mission-capable aircraft to satisfy VFC-12's rigorous tactical training and adversary flight schedules.
• Perform and supervise deep organizational 'O'-level maintenance, including intricate troubleshooting, testing, and alignment of complex avionics, pneudraulics, landing gear, environmental control systems (ECS), and GE F414-GE-400 engines.
• Act as a frontline inspector and technical authority. Verify compliance with Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) technical manuals, check structural tolerances, clear maintenance discrepancies, and log accurate data into OOMA/NALCOMIS.
• Strictly enforce the Tool Control Program (TCP) to maintain 100% tool accountability. Command rigorous Foreign Object Damage (FOD) prevention walks and guarantee clean, hazard-free workspaces across the flight line and hangar decks.
• Provide real-time guidance, technical mentorship, and OJT (On-the-Job Training) to Mechanic I and II technicians. Ensure all crew members are fully qualified and working safely within approved Navy maintenance guidelines.
• Coordinate dynamic, rapid-response aircraft launch and recovery operations, hot pit refuels, safety turnarounds, and cross-decking actions under demanding or shifting weather conditions on the NAS Oceana airfield.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5–6+ years of aviation maintenance experience, with a strict baseline of at least 3 years explicitly focused on the F/A-18E/F architecture at the 'O' or 'D' level.
• Must possess and maintain an active Department of Defense (DoD) Secret Security Clearance. Continued employment depends on maintaining clearance eligibility.
• Prior U.S. Navy or Marine Corps aviation structural/powerplant/avionics rating (e.g., AM, AD, AT, AE, AZ) at the Petty Officer Second Class (E-5) level or above is highly preferred.
• Extensive mastery of Navy aviation electronic environments, specifically OOMA (Optimized Organizational Maintenance Activity) / NALCOMIS, DECKPLATE, and Joint Technical Data Integration (JTDI).
• Exceptional ability to read, interpret, and isolate failures utilizing complex aircraft blueprints, structural assembly drawings, wiring schematics, and technical directives.
• Possession of (or immediate eligibility to achieve) F/A-18E/F CDI (Collateral Duty Inspector), Plane Captain, and specific system operation turn/jack qualifications.

Physical & Environmental Demands:

• Ability to handle strenuous physical work including lifting up to 50 lbs unassisted and performing overhead mechanical manipulations for extended blocks of time.
• Agility to climb flight line maintenance stands, access ladders, and navigate tightly confined, safety-critical spaces within the F/A-18 fuselage.
• Willingness and flexibility to support dynamic, multi-shift configurations (days, nights, or weekends) matching VFC-12's unpredictable flight schedules.
• Capacity to operate safely in intense outdoor weather conditions native to Virginia Beach, along with high-decibel noise environments typical of an active naval master jet base.

Why Join ACET

ACET continues to expand its aerospace and aviation sustainment operations supporting multiple Department of Defense aviation platforms worldwide. This position provides the opportunity to directly shape strategic sustainment growth initiatives while supporting operational readiness and mission success across the global aviation enterprise.

What We Offer:

• At ACET, we believe that our employees are our most valuable asset. We are committed to providing a comprehensive Total Rewards program that recognizes and supports the diverse needs of our workforce. Our offerings are designed to attract, motivate, and retain top talent while fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and well-being.
• Employee benefits include the following:
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
  • Life insurance, AD&D, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
  • 401(k) Program
  • Wellness programs
  • Paid Time Off
  • 11 Paid Holidays
  • Employee Referral Program
  • Employee Assistance Program

Please note that all compensation, benefits, and policies are subject to change at the company's discretion. While we make every effort to provide advance notice of changes, adjustments may occur based on business needs, economic conditions, and industry standards.

**Must be US Citizen to apply**

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position.

Drug Free Workplace:

ACET is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria are met as outlined in our policies.

ACET is an Equal Opportunity / affirm

ACET is an Equal Opportunity / ... All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.