Director, Maintenance

Socket.dev; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Gridiron Air LLC in Fort Worth, TX, is seeking a Director of Maintenance to lead aircraft maintenance operations, ensuring safety, reliability, and airworthiness across the fleet. The DOM will balance scheduled inspections, unscheduled repairs, and regulatory requirements while managing staffing, budget, tooling, and parts.

This leadership role requires strong regulatory knowledge (FAA Part 121/145), proven airline MRO or Part 145 experience, and a strategic, data-driven approach to improve

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance management, Aerospace Engineering, Aviation Management or a related field preferred.
• At least 10 years of aircraft maintenance experience with leadership in an airline MRO or Part 145 environment.
• FAA A&P certification required and strong knowledge of FAA Part 121/145.
• Experience with maintenance-tracking systems and audits.

Responsibilities

• Provides executive leadership over maintenance operations, including scheduled/unscheduled maintenance, inspections, and modifications.
• Develop, maintain and enforce maintenance policies, procedures, and manuals.
• Ensure compliance with FAA Part 121/145, ADs, SBs and coordinate with regulatory bodies.
• Manage and mentor maintenance personnel, staffing, training and performance standards.
• Coordinate with flight operations to minimize aircraft downtime and maximize availability.
• Oversee budgeting, cost forecasting, and parts/vendor procurement.
• Conduct audits, root-cause analyses, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead quality assurance and safety programs and maintain maintenance record integrity.
• Serve as liaison with OEMs and contracted maintenance providers.
• Drive strategic maintenance planning, fleet modifications, and SMS involvement.

Skills

FAA A&P certification

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

SMS safety management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance management or related field

Tools

Maintenance tracking systems (CAMP, Traxxall, Flightdocs)

Job description

BACKGROUND

A FAR Part 121 Supplemental Air Carrier, Gridiron Air is a leading charter airline specializing in customized flight solutions using its fleet of Boeing 777-200ER aircraft. We are committed to delivering new levels of safety, hospitality, and operational excellence to the charter market. Our talented flight and cabin crew operate across the globe, 365 days a year. These team members are supported by dedicated professionals out of our corporate office - including our state-of-the-art Operations Control Center and world-class Maintenance Operation - located at AFW, Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport, in Fort Worth, Texas. Flexibility is required to meet the needs of our business and will require evening and weekend availability when needed.

SUMMARY

The Director of Maintenance (DOM) oversees all technical and regulatory aspects of the aircraft maintenance operation, ensuring the safety, reliability, and airworthiness of the fleet. This leader develops and executes strategic maintenance programs, balancing planned inspections, unscheduled repairs, and regulatory requirements to minimize downtime. They manage staffing, budget, tooling, and parts to support both daily operations and long-term maintenance initiatives. The DOM also acts as the organization’s primary liaison with regulatory bodies (e.g., FAA) OEMs, and external maintenance providers. Through data-driven decision-making and a safety-first mindset, they drive continuous improvement and optimize cost-effectiveness across the maintenance function.

GENERAL DUTIES

• Provides executive leadership over maintenance operations, including scheduled/unscheduled maintenance, inspections, and modifications.
• Develop, maintain and enforce maintenance policies, procedures, and manuals (e.g., Repair Station Manual, General Maintenance Manual).
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements (FAA Part 121/145, ADs, SBs) and coordinate with the FAA or national aviation authority.
• Manage and mentor maintenance personnel including base mechanics, supervisors, and managers, ensuring adequate training, staffing, and performance standards.
• Coordinate with flight operations to align maintenance schedules to minimize aircraft downtime and maximize availability.
• Oversee maintenance budgeting, cost forecasting, and parts/vendor procurement to control expenses.
• Conduct or support internal and external audits, root-cause analyses, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead quality assurance and safety programs, including managing safety reporting, risk assessments, and maintenance record integrity.
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact with OEMs, regulatory bodies, and contracted maintenance providers.
• Drive strategic maintenance planning, including long-term maintenance programs, fleet modifications, and maintenance readiness.
• (Management) Management personnel are expected to have a thorough understanding of the Gridiron Air Safety Management System (SMS). They should be competent in executing responsibilities aligned with their training and involvement in the SMS. Additionally, they are required and supported to identify and report safety hazards, uncover safety deficiencies, and raise safety concerns within the operation, thereby fostering a proactive safety culture.
• (Employee) All employees are expected to be well-versed in the Gridiron Air Safety Management System (SMS). They should be proficient in carrying out duties in line with their training and participation in the SMS. Moreover, they are encouraged and supported to identify and report safety hazards, detect safety shortcomings, and voice safety concerns within the operation, thus promoting a proactive safety culture.
• May perform other responsibilities as assigned based on business needs and shifting company priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance management, Aerospace Engineering, Aviation Management or a related field preferred.
• At least 10 years of experience in aircraft maintenance, including leadership experience in an airline MRO, or Part 145 repair-station environment.
• FAA A&P (Airframe & Powerplant) certification required
• Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks (FAA Part 121/145) and maintenance –tracking systems (e.g. CAMP, Traxxall, Flightdocs).
• Strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and manage all distributed workforce.
• Experience with safety management systems (SMS), internal/external audits and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strategic mindset and ability to translate long-term maintenance goals into actionable plans while maintaining operational readiness.
• Skills, Certs, Etc.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will primarily work in an office setting. Occasionally, the employee is exposed to outside weather conditions which may include wet and/or humid conditions and extreme heat and cold. When working outside the office, the noise level in the work environment is often loud. Occasional travel may be required (<10%).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to speak, write, and understand English. Employees must also adhere to Gridiron Air's Drug and Alcohol policies.

GRIDIRON AIR LLC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Gridiron Air LLC is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.