Operations Manager, MRO/MRT Services

Clay Lacy Aviation; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Clay Lacy Aviation located in Costa Mesa, CA, seeks an Operations Manager to lead the maintenance department for the 145 Repair Station. You will manage daily operations, ensure quality, and oversee budgets while ensuring regulatory compliance.

This senior role requires MRO management experience in business aviation, an A&P certificate, and a focus on safe, efficient aircraft maintenance and customer satisfaction. Competitive compensation and a $3,500 sign‑on bonus are offered.

Qualifications

• A&P certificated with a minimum of 5 years of experience in corporate aviation maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of the maintenance department.
• Ensure and monitor quality of work performed by all maintenance employees.
• Assist in developing capital and operating budgets.
• Ensure all aircraft maintenance is scheduled and completed timely and efficiently.
• Ensure adequate resources are available to comply with Federal, State and Local Regulations; maintain trained staffing levels commensurate with operations conducted; and acquire and maintain adequate housing, material, equipment/tooling, and technical data.
• Solicit feedback from staff for development of new concepts regarding procedures, facility improvements, processes, and information to ensure customer satisfaction and business goals are met.
• Ensure that Repair Station personnel follow the regulations.
• Monitor and maintain the budget for manpower requirements.
• Review applications, interview candidates, and approve the hiring of technicians and support staff as needed.
• Participate and assist with Customer Project Manager functions and duties through the initial growth phase, as needed.
• Perform hands‑on maintenance on managed and transient aircraft through the initial growth phase.
• Schedule and plan maintenance for managed and transient aircraft.
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned or required by the Vice President of Maintenance.

Education

A&P certificated

Minimum 2 years of MRO management with a business aviation company

Bachelor's degree in Business or Aviation Management

Job description

At Clay Lacy Aviation, we've built a legacy of excellence by combining innovation, safety, and exceptional service. We're looking for people who share our passion for aviation and our commitment to doing the right thing. Here, curiosity and continuous learning are valued, and teamwork is essential. If you're ready to contribute your skills in a supportive, high‑performing environment where every detail matters, you'll find opportunities to grow your career and be part of shaping the future of private aviation.

Why This Role Exists

The Operations Manager is responsible for all aircraft maintenance‑related product support functions for CLA. The position is responsible for the Maintenance Department and all technical personnel, along with all operations conducted by the 145 Repair Station.

Location

Costa Mesa, CA | KSNA

Compensation

$165,000.00 - $200,000.00, eligible for Clay Lacy Aviation comprehensive benefits package

Sign‑on bonus

$3,500.00

Core Ownership

• Daily operations of the maintenance department.
• All Repair Station operations conducted in compliance with 14 CFR Part 145.
• Capital and operating budgets (assists in development) and the budget for manpower requirements.
• Quality of work performed by all maintenance employees.
• Timely and efficient scheduling and completion of all aircraft maintenance.
• Regulatory compliance of Repair Station personnel with Federal, State and Local Regulations.
• Sound business relationships with business jet OEMs.
• Hiring approval for technicians and support staff.

Essential Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of the maintenance department.
• Ensure and monitor quality of work performed by all maintenance employees.
• Assist in developing capital and operating budgets.
• Ensure all aircraft maintenance is scheduled and completed timely and efficiently.
• Ensure adequate resources are available to comply with Federal, State and Local Regulations; maintain trained staffing levels commensurate with operations conducted; and acquire and maintain adequate housing, material, equipment/tooling, and technical data.
• Solicit feedback from staff for development of new concepts regarding procedures, facility improvements, processes, and information to ensure customer satisfaction and business goals are met.
• Ensure that Repair Station personnel follow the regulations.
• Monitor and maintain the budget for manpower requirements.
• Review applications, interview candidates, and approve the hiring of technicians and support staff as needed.
• Participate and assist with Customer Project Manager functions and duties through the initial growth phase, as needed.
• Perform hands‑on maintenance on managed and transient aircraft through the initial growth phase.
• Schedule and plan maintenance for managed and transient aircraft.
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned or required by the Vice President of Maintenance.

Decision Rights

• Has responsibility for and authority over all Repair Station operations conducted in compliance with 14 CFR Part 145.
• Approves the hiring of technicians and support staff as needed.
• May delegate all duties assigned; however, such delegation does not relieve overall responsibility.

Success Looks Like

• Meet budgeted Sales and Revenue for the 145 Repair Station business line.
• Meet defined Safety metrics for the business line and other KPIs as identified.
• Meet defined Customer Service metrics.
• Meet budgeted EBITDA and Gross Margin for the Aircraft Maintenance business line.

Leadership Expectations

• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Assist with CLA strategic planning and execution.
• Develop and implement a development plan to sustain growth and profitability.
• Establish sound business relationships with business jet OEMs.
• Model CLA's vision - great people, providing an exceptional aviation experience - and mission to provide the highest level of safety, service and value to our clients.

Required Education And Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of MRO management with a business aviation company.
• A&P certificated with a minimum of 5 years of experience in corporate aviation maintenance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or Aviation Management.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct a team of supervisors and technicians to comply with maintenance operations as requested by the customers.
• Conduct performance reviews for employees assigned under the position's leadership.

Work Environment, Physical Requirements And Travel

• Regular, punctual attendance is an essential function of this role.

Safety and Compliance

• Comply with all Clay Lacy Aviation safety policies, airport rules, regulatory requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment with sensitive Clay Lacy Aviation, employee, customer, financial, and strategic information.
• Complete required Clay Lacy Aviation training and support a safe, respectful, compliant workplace.

Reasonable Accommodation

Clay Lacy Aviation provides reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees with known physical or mental disabilities, and for pregnancy, religious beliefs and practices, and other circumstances as required by applicable law, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. Clay Lacy Aviation will engage in a timely, good‑faith interactive process with individuals who request or may need an accommodation. Applicants and employees should contact a representative of the Office of People Operations to request or discuss a potential accommodation.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Clay Lacy Aviation is an equal opportunity employer. Clay Lacy Aviation prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws, including the perception that an individual has such a characteristic or is associated with someone who does This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, discipline, termination, and other employment practices.

Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be a contract or a complete list of all duties. Duties, responsibilities, reporting relationships, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice, based on business needs. The employee may be asked to perform other job‑related duties. Employment remains at-will unless otherwise provided by a written agreement signed by an authorized Clay Lacy Aviation representative.