Manager, Aviation Maintenance and Operations

Port of Seattle; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 158,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Holidays

Pension/Retirement Plans

Getting to Work

Job summary

The Port of Seattle is seeking a Manager for Aviation Maintenance and Operations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. You will oversee baggage operations and maintenance, ensuring efficient handling, transfer, screening, sorting and delivery of passengers’ baggage while minimizing interruptions.

You will lead a team, drive performance, negotiate contracts, and manage budgets. This role requires strong analytical and leadership skills in a fast-paced, 24/7 airport environment.

Qualifications

• Four (4) years of experience in production/airline/airport operations, or maintenance.
• Two (2) years of supervisory/lead/mentor experience, including leading a project or process.
• Commitment to equity and inclusive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Oversee baggage operations and maintenance to ensure smooth interaction with airlines, vendors, contractors, and passengers.
• Coach, mentor, and evaluate direct reports with ongoing performance management.
• Establish and track metrics to show service efficacy and impact on customer experience.
• Provide leadership on contract negotiation, program evaluation, and service-level management.
• Direct operational management to ensure high quality support for internal customers.
• Conduct risk analysis and develop contingency plans for significant issues.
• Create and manage department budget and forecast needs; present budgets to leadership.
• Ensure timekeeping complies with collective bargaining agreement and resolve issues.
• Coordinate onboarding for new employees and measure program effectiveness.
• Manage small projects, define scope and resources to meet deadlines.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Aviation operations

Project management

People management

Job description

Job Description - Manager, Aviation Maintenance and Operations (004316)

Manager, Aviation Maintenance and Operations ( 004316 )

Location

Seattle Tacoma International Airport

Organization

AV Mechanical Systems

Employee Status

Regular

Schedule

Full-time

Posting Expires

Oct 5, 2026, 6:59:00 AM

Minimum Salary

157,674.00

Maximum Salary

213,322.00

The Port of Seattle is unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.

Salary offers will be made within the posted range. Placement within the range will be determined based on your similar work experience. The Port considers work experience to be similar if the scope and level of responsibility of your prior positions match the job being offered.

Some of what you'll be doing:

As the Manager, Aviation Maintenance and Operations, you will oversee baggage operations and maintenance to ensure that airlines, vendors, contractors, project managers, airport operations, passengers, and other stakeholders interact with and use the baggage handling system as intended. You will ensure passengers’ baggage is properly inducted, transferred, screened, sorted, and delivered while minimizing interruptions to baggage handling system operations and conveyor maintenance.

• You will coach, mentor and train direct reports and provide continuous performance management and conduct performance evaluation.
• You will work with the leadership team to ensure that customer needs and requests related to mechanical operations are resolved in a timely manner with a high level of quality.
• You will ensure metrics are established and tracked to show the efficacy of current services provided, process improvements, and impact on overall customer experience and satisfaction.
• You will provide leadership and oversight related to contract negotiation, program evaluation, optimization, implementation, support, change management, incident management, and service-level manager.
• You will direct the operational management and service functions of the department to ensure a high level of quality and effective support is provided to internal customers.
• You will perform appropriate risk analysis and develop contingency plans for unexpected problems that can have a significant impact on the overall program.
• You will create and manage the department budget, forecast departmental needs, and design budgets aligned with company objectives and team goals. You will identify required overhead costs, track expenditures, make allocation decisions, and present annual budgets to Directors or executive leadership.
• You will ensure employee timekeeping records comply with all articles of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and resolve any perceived issues.
• You will coordinate onboarding activities for new employees, train leadership on the onboarding process, measure program effectiveness, and recommend improvements.
• You will manage ongoing small projects and develop project plans, defining scope, deliverables, and resources needed to meet project goals and deadlines.

Who you are

• Experienced – You have four (4) years of experience in production/airline/airport operations, or maintenance, and two (2) years of supervisory/lead/mentor experience, including experience leading a project or process.
• Desired – We hope you have experience working within airport baggage operations or airline baggage systems. We also hope you have experience supervising represented and non‑represented employees.
• Committed to Equity – You will apply equity and exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices in all aspects of the work. At the Port of Seattle, equity is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all Port employees.
• Leader – You can provide vision and leadership for the department and organization, moving seamlessly from strategy to tactics and can effectively execute a plan. You can delegate responsibilities and motivate staff to complete tasks.
• Interpersonal – You can effectively interact with a variety of clients, customers, and employees in a professional manner. You can develop and maintain effective working relationships to gain trust and establish credibility at all organizational levels.
• Analytical – You are skilled in gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing complex data to inform strategy, negotiations, and process improvement. You can aggregate and analyze data in a way that is meaningful to business operations in a timely manner.
• Critical Thinker – You exercise sound judgment and decision-making, using critical thinking and problem-solving skills to assess an issue and determine an optimal solution. You use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

What else you need to know

• Driver’s License – You will need a valid Washington State Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain one, in order to operate vehicles within the Air Operations Area (AOA), including ramp and aircraft zones.
• Work Schedule – This position supports a 24/7 operation and will require participation in continuity-of-operations activities. You will be required to respond to after-hours notifications and join Teams bridge calls related to system interruptions or other critical events. Your normal work schedule will be Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (40 hours per week). Slightly more flexible start and end times are available in this role.
• Work Environment – You will primarily work in an office environment. At times, you may also be required to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions. You may be exposed to areas of high noise, various hazardous materials, work at heights, and/or work in confined spaces.
• Safety Requirements – You will be required to comply with all work rules, safety rules, and PPE requirements.
• Washington State Residency Requirement – Employees must establish a residence in Washington state within 30 days of their first day of employment and must maintain a residence in Washington State during their employment with the Port of Seattle. If a position is eligible to telework, work performed while teleworking must be performed in Washington State.
• Security Requirements – As the successful candidate, you must pass a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check as well as a criminal history background check with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Your employment will be contingent upon obtaining a Port of Seattle ID badge upon clearance. You will also be required to obtain a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Customs Seal within 30 days of hire.

Why you'll love it here

The Port of Seattle offers an extensive benefits package that rewards our staff for their valuable contributions towards the Port‘s mission. In addition to the summary below, benefit details for non-represented positions can be found on the Port of Seattle‘s website. If the position is represented by a union, please refer to the “Collective Bargaining Agreement” or contact the appropriate Union Representative for specific information related to benefits and eligibility.

• Healthcare – Medical, Dental, and Vision Care with options that work for you and your family.
• Paid Vacation – Just about four weeks per year that increases with tenure to rest and rejuvenate.
• Paid Sick Leave – At least one hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked.
• Holidays – More than ten days per year to celebrate with family and friends away from work.
• Pension/Retirement Plans – A pension and additional savings plans to prepare for your future after the Port.
• Getting to Work – From subsidized parking and a low-cost public transit card to alternative work arrangements giving you an opportunity to work hybrid.
• Parental Leave – Six weeks of paid leave to spend with new additions to your immediate family.
• Development – From tuition reimbursement, training, stretch assignments and internal internships, we support a learning culture.
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion – The Port of Seattle values diversity as a source of innovation and strength. We are actively working across the organization to create a culture where all employees – regardless of race, gender, and other identities – succeed and reach their fullest potential.
• Work-Life Balance – We provide the resources to help you create habits to be healthy and balanced.
• Mission Driven – We are focused together in promoting economic opportunities and quality of life in the region by advancing trade, travel, commerce, and job creation in an equitable, accountable, and environmentally responsible manner.

Why the Port of Seattle

Every role at the Port of Seattle is vital to our thriving community. We are a leader in moving people and cargo across the country and around the world. With facilities and property ranging in scope from a half-acre park to one of the largest airports and container terminals on the West Coast, we maximize the public assets in our portfolio with an eye toward best uses and environmental sustainability. Find out more here . IND123

Our vision is to create a Port that mirrors – throughout its breadth of operations and services and within its leadership – the diversity of our communities, instill principles of equity into its culture, and ensures a fair and intentional distribution of opportunities to expand economic development and quality of life for all in our region. Find out more about how our values RAISE us up and our commitment to equity .

The Port of Seattle is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that values diverse perspectives and life experiences. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, knowing decisions concerning the employment relationship will be made without regard to age, race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, the presence of any physical or mental disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, regulations and ordinances.