Chief Aircraft Maintenance & Readiness Lead

Akima; Shiloh (IL); On-site; USD 117,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Job summary

Akima Logistics Services is seeking a highly experienced Director of Maintenance to lead the C-21 Contractor Logistics Support program at Scott AFB, IL. You will oversee maintenance strategy, execution, and performance to ensure fleet readiness and regulatory compliance, while coordinating with customer and program leadership.

The role requires senior leadership, strong aviation maintenance expertise, and proven ability to manage cross-functional teams in a high-tempo environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aircraft maintenance management, aviation management, engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 5 years in senior-level aircraft maintenance management (military aviation or Part 145/135 preferred).
• US citizen and able to obtain SECRET clearance.
• Strong leadership, strategic planning, and aviation regulatory compliance knowledge.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and maintenance information systems.

Responsibilities

• Leads the overall aircraft maintenance program in line with PW and objectives.
• Owns all PW deliverables and reporting to leadership and customer.
• Provides strategic direction for maintenance activities and schedules.
• Ensures required maintenance actions, data entries, and logbooks are updated for mission needs.
• Oversees maintenance planning, scheduling, and manpower allocation.
• Monitors fleet health, workload, and aircraft utilization for readiness.
• Directs prioritization decisions for unscheduled maintenance and mission needs.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Aviation maintenance

Regulatory compliance

Fleet management

Communication

Budgeting

Decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aircraft maintenance management, aviation management, engineering, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Maintenance information systems

Job description

Akima Logistics Services is looking for a highly experienced Director of Maintenance for the C-21 Contractor Logistics Support contract in Scott AFB, IL to lead all aspects of its maintenance program, ensuring fleet readiness, regulatory compliance, and exceptional support to the mission operations. This role oversees maintenance strategy, personnel, execution, and performance in alignment with customer and program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Leads the overall aircraft maintenance program in accordance with the Performance Work Statement and organizational objectives, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient operations across all maintenance functions.
• Owns all Performance Work Statement deliverables, including performance metrics, maintenance schedules, etc., and ensures transparent, accurate reporting to leadership and the customer.
• Provides strategic direction and oversight for all maintenance activities, setting priorities for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, operational support aircraft, and aircraft used for training.
• Ensures all required maintenance actions, technical data entries, and logbooks are completed to support daily mission requirements and long‑range operational needs.
• Leads daily, weekly, and long‑range maintenance planning efforts, ensuring alignment of maintenance capacity, aircraft availability, and operational requirements.
• Evaluates fleet health, workload distribution, and maintenance resource requirements; directs adjustments to aircraft utilization schedules to maintain mission readiness.
• Makes decisive maintenance repair prioritization decisions and authorizes on‑the‑spot adjustments based on unscheduled maintenance or emerging mission requirements.
• Oversees all flightline and hangar maintenance activities, ensuring safe operations, proper tool control, adherence to technical data, and compliance with all regulatory and contractual requirements.
• Monitors maintenance progress, evaluates estimated completion times, and directs changes to support mission schedules. Coordinates with maintenance supervision to allocate manpower, assign tasks, and resolve personnel shortages.
• Reviews maintenance actions, processes, and documentation for quality, compliance, and adherence to Air Force, FAA, and company standards.
• Ensures proper use of tools, equipment, and technical publications. Authorizes or denies cannibalization actions and coordinates such actions with PS&D and site COR office (i.e., local customer).
• Ensures aircraft status is accurately reported and maintained in all Air Force and automated reporting systems. Works closely with PS&D and expediters to ensure real‑time accuracy.
• Oversees fleet configuration management, maintenance documentation standards, and technical data currency across the program.
• Collaborates with Quality and Logistics leadership to support Quality Management System requirements, process improvements, audits, and corrective actions. Ensures maintenance workforce participation and compliance.
• Provides leadership development, mentorship, and technical guidance to maintenance supervisors, leads, and technicians to build a high‑performing maintenance workforce.
• Leads safety initiatives, risk assessments, and mishap prevention programs; ensures strict adherence to OSHA, Air Force, and company safety standards.
• Coordinates with senior leadership, customer representatives, and external stakeholders on maintenance issues, strategic planning, and program performance.
• Manages budget inputs related to maintenance operations, including manpower forecasting, tool/equipment requirements, consumables planning, and long‑term sustainment strategies.
• Performs additional duties as required to support program objectives and organizational success.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to obtain a SECRET clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in aircraft maintenance management, aviation management, engineering, or related field OR equivalent experience (minimum 10 years of progressive aircraft maintenance leadership) may be considered.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a senior‑level aircraft maintenance management role (e.g., Maintenance Manager, Superintendent, Deputy Director), preferably in a military aviation or Part 145/Part 135 environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in fleet management, maintenance planning, sortie generation, and aircraft readiness metrics.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office and maintenance information systems.
• Knowledge of AQMS AS9100/9110 or ISO 9001:2015 standards highly desirable; experience participating in or leading quality audits preferred.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage complex operations, and coordinate with customers and stakeholders in a high‑tempo aviation environment.
• Excellent communication, decision‑making, and organizational leadership skills.

Job ID

2026-26416
Work Type

On-Site
Pay Range

$130,000
Benefits

Regular - The company offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) and a range of other voluntary benefits. Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered to regular full-time and part-time employees.
Company Description

Work Where it Matters

Akima Logistics Services (ALS), an Akima company, is not just another federal logistics contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.

At ALS, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.

For our shareholders, ALS provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.

For our government customers, ALS delivers aviation logistics and supply chain services to the Department of Defense and federal civilian government.

As an ALS employee, you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.