AME Structures Manager

Coulson Group of Companies; Thermal (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Coulson Aviation, a global aerial firefighting company, seeks a Structures Aircraft Maintenance - Manager. This hands-on role leads the structures team while performing aircraft structural maintenance, repairs, inspections, and modifications as required to meet operational needs.

The successful candidate will supervise personnel, interpret data, coordinate with engineering and maintenance leadership, ensure proper sign‑offs, and support aircraft schedules with safe, cost‑effective workmanship.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in heavy maintenance.
• Experience on large fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft (C-130, B737, CH-47, S-61 preferred).
• Familiar with FAA and TCAA Regulations.
• Familiar with Aircraft Structural Repair Manuals and appropriate sign-offs.
• FAA A&P certificate preferred.
• Ability to quote work scope and recognize project slip.

Responsibilities

• Supervise assigned structures personnel while actively engaging in maintenance and repairs.
• Perform hands-on structures work on aircraft including repairs, modifications, inspections, and fabrication.
• Interpret technical data and ensure work is in accordance with approved data.
• Research repairs and order parts and tooling for maintenance scope.
• Provide progress updates to VP of Structures and maintenance leadership.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Quality/Inspection, Crew Chiefs for sign-offs and documentation.
• Plan, assign, and prioritize structures labor to support schedules and priorities.
• Other duties as assigned by VP or DOM USA.

Skills

Leadership

Hands-on maintenance

Project planning

Education

FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate (preferred)

Tools

Corridor system

Aircraft Structural Repair Manuals

Job description

Coulson Aviation is a global aerial firefighting company that supports Emergency Service efforts through the delivery of specialized aircraft and highly trained team members.

Coulson Aviation operates across the world with a growing fleet of aerial firefighting assets consisting of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. With our privately owned and operated fleet of Boeing 737 FIRELINERS™ Hercules C130, Citation and King Air, CH47D Chinooks, and Sikorsky S-61 fire support platforms, we provide first class, rapid response delivery during critical events of wildfire activity.

Due to the company’s continued growth, we are looking to add a Structures Aircraft Maintenance - Manager to our team. This is a hands-on working manager role. The successful candidate will be expected to lead assigned structures personnel while also performing aircraft structural maintenance, repair, inspection support, and modification work when operational needs require.

How you’ll contribute to the mission;

• Supervise assigned structures personnel while remaining actively engaged in aircraft structural maintenance and repair work as required.
• Perform hands‑on structures work on aircraft, including repairs, modifications, inspections, layout, fabrication, drilling, riveting, sealing, corrosion repair, and other aircraft structural tasks as required by the work scope.
• Interpreting technical data and ensuring that all work is carried out I.A.W approved data.
• Researching repairs and ordering parts and tooling in preparation of maintenance work scope
• Provide timely progress updates to the VP of Structures, DOM, and applicable maintenance leadership regarding work scope status, constraints, labor needs, schedule risk, material/tooling gaps, and recovery plans.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Quality/Inspection, Crew Chiefs, and the VP of Structures to ensure structural repairs are supported by approved data, proper documentation, and required return‑to‑service signoffs.
• Working with crew chiefs to ensure that applicable signoffs are made in logbooks and form 337 if required.
• Plan, assign, and prioritize structures labor in coordination with Crew Chiefs, Maintenance Supervisors, the DOM, and VP of Structures to support aircraft schedules and operational priorities.
• Any other duties as assigned by the VP or DOM USA.

What you bring to the Team;

• Minimum 10 years in heavy maintenance
• Demonstrated structures experience on large fixed‑wing and rotary‑wing aircraft; C‑130, B737, CH‑47, and/or S‑61 experience strongly preferred.
• Solid understanding of FAA and TCAA Regulations
• Familiar with aircraft Structural Repair Manuals and appropriate sign offs
• FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate preferred.
• Ability to perform or support required maintenance record entries and return‑to service documentation within company authorization limits.
• Familiar with Corridor system preferred.
• Ability to quote work scope and recognize project slip.

Technical Skills;

• Strong aircraft structures background with demonstrated hands‑on sheet metal, composite, corrosion repair, layout, fabrication, installation, and repair capability.
• Hand hands‑on structures support to field operations as required, including remote troubleshooting, repair planning, material/tooling coordination, and occasional travel when operationally necessary.
• Communicate with crew chiefs on structures needs
• Management of structural aspects of a work scope.
• Ensure jobs are completed in a safe and cost‑effective manner

Must be dependable, trustworthy, flexible with schedule, and willing to support urgent operational requirements, including overtime, weekend work, field support, and hands‑on aircraft work when required. Be able to communicate both verbally and in writing to superiors and work in a team environment to accomplish all tasks required.

Compensation for this position will be competitive with market rates and based on experience.

We support diversity, equity, and a workplace that is free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to providing accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require accommodation through any element of the job application process, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.