Flight Operations Lead ARO

Metrea; Temecula (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical plan options

6% employer 401(k) match

Fully paid parental leave

Generous PTO

Pet Insurance

Job summary

Metrea is seeking a Lead Air Refueling Operator in Temecula, CA, responsible for ensuring operational excellence and regulatory compliance in flight operations. The role requires exceptional leadership and in-depth FAA knowledge.

Key responsibilities include mentoring AROs, planning flight routes, and maintaining safety standards. Comprehensive benefits include medical and dental coverage, a 401(k) match, and generous PTO.

Qualifications

• Extensive KC-135 flight experience required.
• Must maintain Top Secret clearance.
• Strong leadership and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee flight operations ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.
• Plan routes for company aircraft.
• Mentor Air Refueling Operators (AROs).

Skills

Leadership skills

FAA regulations knowledge

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management or related field

Tools

Foreflight

Job description

Overview

Company Overview Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas—including airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special mission aviation, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. Metrea builds vertically integrated full stacks of capability—designing, building, and operating turnkey solutions that let customers scale capacity while benefiting from continuous cycles of innovation. With operators and engineers under one roof, we close the gap between lab and field—what we call connecting design with effect. Metrea’s solutions are built for elegance: effective, efficient, and evolving. This approach enables our partners to do more with less and achieve outsized, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats. Headquartered in Washington, DC, Metrea has facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond. This role sits within the Air Mobility area of Metrea.

Air Mobility Group (AIRMOB) is responsible for developing and delivering Metrea’s aerial refueling (AAR) capabilities, ensuring the readiness and operational effectiveness of the tanker fleet. AIRMOB oversees fleet management, maintenance, and airworthiness, working to sustain and enhance refueling operations. It manages the integration of new processes and technologies, ensuring that tanker aircraft remain mission-ready through effective logistics, maintenance oversight, and regulatory compliance. By coordinating across various teams, AIRMOB ensures the fleet meets both current and future operational needs, supporting a range of specialized air mobility missions.

Position Summary

The Lead Air Refueling Operator is a pivotal role responsible for ensuring operational excellence, safety, and regulatory compliance of flight operations. This position requires an individual with exceptional leadership skills and in-depth knowledge of FAA regulations who will uphold the standards of Metrea's flight operations and safety procedures. This role mentors AROs to maintain the highest standards of safety and proficiency.

What You’ll Do

• Acts as a liaison between crew members and other managers.
• Plan and modify routes for company aircraft in operations.
• Maintain an adequate roster of properly qualified, current, and available AROs to meet company requirements.
• Ensure that each ARO assigned to flight duty meets the applicable requirements and that the certification for these requirements is maintained in the crew member’s record.
• Monitor ARO currency and legality and remove any ARO from the schedule before the expiration of any applicable qualification requirement.
• Serve as ARO in KC-135 operations, adhering to all applicable provisions and regulations.
• Adhere to company Flight Operation Procedures (FOPs), Ground Operation Procedures (GOPs), FAA regulations, and Safety Notices.
• Maintain all currencies, qualifications, and advanced systems knowledge related to the MSM KC-135 tanker fleet.

What You’ll Bring

• Must be highly knowledgeable in applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Company Manuals, and all related policies and procedures.
• Extensive KC-135 flight experience.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Set a high standard for providing our customers with world-class air refueling.
• Knowledgeable on the use of Foreflight.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management or related field or equivalent experience.
• Previous USAF Instructor and Evaluator certification for KC-135 desired
• Valid Driver’s License and US Passport.
• Ability to maintain Top Secret clearance.

Our Firmware

At Metrea, our single core value, Rooted in Humility, and our four cornerstone attributes—Entrepreneurial, Systematic, Discerning, and Over-Deliver. These form what we call our Teammate Firmware. Our Firmware creates a web-like, hyper-collaborative, dynamically hierarchical way of working that helps us adapt quickly, communicate openly, and distribute decision-making to where expertise actually lives. It enables groups to self-organize around hard problems, shift priorities as they evolve, and operate with the trust, curiosity, and discipline required in a complex mission space. This foundation allows us to deliver elegant, effective solutions and uphold our purpose: protecting our precious inheritance.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical plan options
• HSA/FSA accounts
• Dental and vision coverage
• 6% employer 401(k) match
• Fully paid parental leave for all new parents
• Generous PTO
• Life and disability insurance
• Long-term and Short-term disability coverage
• AD&D Coverage
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Subsidized gym membership / plans through Wellhub

Work Authorization / Security Clearance

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen. Ability to maintain a Secret clearance throughout employment. Role requires adherence to export control regulations (ITAR/EAR).

AAP/EEO Statement

This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Position Type and Hours

This is a full-time exempt position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours and work shifts may change in accordance with department and business needs. Exempt Employees must have the ability to be on-call and available, as business needs require.

Work Location

Temecula and Moreno Valley, CA

Work Environment

This job operates in an office setting and aboard KC-135R/RG and C-135FR aircraft

Travel

30%