Operations Manager

AAR Corp; Ozark (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

AAR Corp is seeking an Operations Manager to lead aviation operations under the FSN contract for the U.S. Army’s IERW training mission at Fort Rucker.

You will oversee flight scheduling, mission planning, aircrew management, and regulatory compliance while coordinating with Army Aviation units and government oversight bodies. The ideal candidate has DoD aviation operations experience, strong knowledge of military aviation procedures, and proficiency with scheduling systems and tracking tools.

Qualifications

• US Citizenship required to access Fort Rucker.
• DoD aviation ops experience preferred (Army Aviation preferred; USAF/USN acceptable).
• Strong knowledge of military aviation procedures, mission planning, aircrew management, and risk mgmt.
• Experience with government aviation training contracts.
• Proficiency with aviation scheduling systems, flight ops software, and mission-tracking tools.
• Ability to coordinate with Army Aviation units, government agencies, and contracted aviation orgs.
• FAA regs knowledge for gov/military ops.
• SMS and aviation QA experience beneficial.
• Fort Rucker site access requires US citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Execute aviation operational functions in support of FSN contract requirements (flight scheduling, mission planning, aircrew assignments).
• Ensure contractor aviation ops comply with DoD, FAA, Army policies and safety standards.
• Serve as primary ops liaison between contractor, FSN customer, Army units and supporting orgs.
• Implement risk management with hazard IDs and mitigation strategies.
• Oversee aircrew qualification tracking, training schedules, and currency requirements.
• Develop and enforce SOPs aligned with Army doctrine and FSN requirements.
• Prepare operational reports and audits for government customers.
• Support incident/accident response and investigations.
• Provide leadership to operational personnel to meet contract deliverables.
• Assist with budget planning, resource forecasting, and procurement for aviation ops.

Skills

Aircrew management

Operational risk mgmt

Aviation scheduling

Flight ops software

Leadership

Communication

Decision making

Education

Bachelors in Aviation Management

Job description

Job Description - Operations Manager (18705)

About Us:AAR Corp. (NYSE: AIR) is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company that employs more than 6,000 people across over 60 sites in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago, Illinois area, AAR supports commercial and government customers in more than 100 countries through four operating segments: Parts Supply, Integrated Solutions, Repair and Engineering and Expeditionary Services.AAR’s purpose is to empower people to build innovative aerospace solutions today so you can safely reach your destination tomorrow. The company’s mission is to go above and beyond to provide value-driven aerospace aftermarket solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers worldwide. AAR constantly searches for the right thing to do for its customers, employees, partners and for society.

Operations Manager - 18705

Description

This position is pending contract award. If AAR is awarded this contract, the estimated start date is October 1, 2026.

Description:

The Aviation Operations Manager supports the U.S. Army’s Initial Entry Rotary-Wing (IERW) training mission as part of a contractor operated FSN program. This role manages daily aviation operational activities required under the contract, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient execution of flight operations. The manager coordinates mission planning, aircrew scheduling, flight tracker, regulatory compliance, and operational reporting while maintaining seamless integration with Army Aviation procedures, FSN contract requirements, and government oversight.

What you will be responsible for:

• Execute aviation operational functions in support of FSN contract requirements, including flight scheduling, mission planning, aircrew assignments, and resource coordination.
• Ensure all contractor aviation operations comply with DoD, FAA, Army Aviation, and company policies, procedures, and safety standards.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison between the contractor, the FSN government customer, Army Aviation units, and supporting organizations.
• Implement and maintain operational risk management processes, including hazard identification, mitigation strategies, and safety documentation required under the FSN contract.
• Oversee aircrew qualification tracking, training schedules, and currency requirements to maintain compliance with IERW training standards and contract deliverables.
• Develop, update, and enforce contractor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aligned with Army Aviation doctrine and FSN program requirements.
• Prepare operational reports, metrics, and documentation required by the FSN government customer, audits, and contract oversight bodies.
• Support incident/accident response, reporting, and investigation activities in accordance with contract and regulatory requirements.
• Provide leadership and supervision to operational personnel, ensuring performance standards and FSN contract deliverables are met.
• Assist with operational budget planning, resource forecasting, and procurement activities related to aviation operations under the FSN program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

What you will need to be successful in this role:

• In order to access Fort Rucker, US Citizenship is required.
• Prior DoD aviation operations experience (Army Aviation preferred; Air Force or Naval Aviation acceptable).
• Strong knowledge of military aviation procedures, mission planning, aircrew management, and operational risk management.
• Experience supporting or operating within a government aviation training contract.
• Proficiency with aviation scheduling systems, flight operations software, and mission-tracking tools.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with Army Aviation units, government agencies, and contracted aviation organizations.
• Understanding of FAA regulations applicable to government or military aviation operations.
• Strong communication, leadership, and decision‑making skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Aeronautics, or related field; equivalent military experience may be considered.
• Experience with Safety Management Systems (SMS) and aviation quality assurance programs.
• To access the Fort Rucker site, US citizenship is required.

The rewards of your career at AAR go far beyond just your salary:

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Generous paid time off program
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics 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 to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach and move about the facility.
• The environmental characteristic for this position is an office setting.
• Candidates should be able to adapt to a traditional business environment.

AAR provides accommodation in accordance with applicable laws through all stages of the hiring process. If you require accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please advise Human Resources.

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Job

Defense

Primary Location

United States-Alabama-Fort Rucker

Schedule

Full-time

Overtime Status

Exempt

AAR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.