Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Director of Maintenance

Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High school diploma/GED or higher.
  • Certification from an accredited aviation maintenance organization.
  • 5+ years of FAA-regulated aircraft maintenance experience with multi-engine turbine aircraft.
  • 3+ years of leadership experience in maintenance roles.
  • FAA Mechanic Certificate with A&P ratings or equivalent, plus current FAA Inspection Authorization.

Responsibilities

  • Promote and support safe maintenance for all assigned aviation assets.
  • Perform and supervise maintenance on manned and unmanned platforms.
  • Support mission completion through logistics planning for aircraft and equipment.
  • Provide technical oversight for the Bombardier Challenger 850 modifications.
  • Execute a comprehensive maintenance program ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
  • Manage daily maintenance scheduling and long-range maintenance planning.
  • Maintain aircraft status reporting and address mechanical issues efficiently.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance with telehealth options.
  • Robust mental health benefits and free wellness coaching.
  • Tuition assistance and relocation support.
  • Company-funded pension plan and 401(k) with company match.
  • Generous vacation accrual and paid holidays.
Full Job Description
Overview

The Operational Systems Directorate (OSD) leads delivery of PNNL's 10-year, $1.2 billion campus construction portfolio- the single largest construction and modernization effort in the Laboratory's history. OSD oversees operations and facility services, maintenance, and infrastructure planning.

A team of nearly 800 staff comprise OSD, spanning in a wide range of disciplines, including craftspeople, engineers, construction professionals, technicians, scientists, administrators, and specialists. Together, they ensure that PNNL's assets, services, and OSD-led programs are managed and performing safely, securely, reliably, effectively, and efficiently.

The directorate stewards more than $250 million in annual budget authority; managing more than 2.5 million square feet of facility space across two campuses; overseeing approximately 200 regulatory program areas; and executing a multi-million-dollar facility and infrastructure project portfolio.

The Office of the Chief Operating Officer stewards directorate-wide performance management and provides the primary interface with other directorates at PNNL. Functions include directorate operations management, performance assurance and reporting, chief engineer, building code official, readiness, and document management.

Responsibilities

  • Reports to the Aviation Operations Manager (AOM). Promotes and supports the highest standards of safe maintenance for all assigned aviation assets supporting aviation and aviation-based research.
  • Responsible for maintenance of manned and unmanned platforms supporting science missions; performs hands-on maintenance and supervises a small maintenance/technical team, ensuring qualifications are maintained.
  • Provides maintenance support to pilots, ground crew, and research to enable mission completion, including mission/logistics planning for worldwide deployments of aircraft, support/science equipment, and maintenance tools/spares. Travel up to 25%; deployments up to six weeks.
  • Provides technical oversight for modification and delivery of the science-modified Bombardier Challenger 850 (CL-600-2B19), coordinating with the modification contractor and internal stakeholders.

Core Maintenance Program & Control
  • Develops and executes a comprehensive maintenance program; ensures safe, efficient, and legally compliant maintenance across assigned assets, including oversight of PNNL and contracted personnel and sustainment of the maintenance shop and support equipment.
  • Maintains aircraft airworthiness per applicable FAA regulations, manufacturer instructions, and PNNL standards; ensures aircraft modifications are properly completed; removes from service any aircraft that is unsafe or not airworthy.
  • Oversees daily maintenance scheduling/assignments and issue resolution; coordinates long-range plans for scheduled maintenance, modifications, and major repairs with AOM/Flight Operations.
  • Maintains aircraft status reporting (including downtime forecasts and mechanical irregularities), current maintenance schedule, and out-of-service history.
  • Minimizes mission impacts from mechanical failures and parts unavailability through planning and efficient execution.

Safety, Training, and Compliance
  • Ensures personnel comply with safety regulations/directives/procedures and special instructions; supports Safety Management System (SMS) implementation.
  • Maintains safe work areas (housekeeping, tool control, FOD control).
  • Develops and delivers training (lesson plans) for mechanics and UAS technicians; maintains current files for FAA regulations, Airworthiness Directives, and maintenance manuals; recommends specialized training to AOM.
  • Maintains hazardous materials inventory and Safety Data Sheets (SDS); coordinates with the Hazardous Materials Custodian.

Tools, Equipment, and Supply Chain
  • Maintains tool control and tool/instrument calibration programs; keeps Ground Support Equipment (GSE) operational.
  • Manages stockroom inventory; researches manuals/catalogs/vendors to support parts/material ordering.
  • Supervises Parts Procurement Specialist (QA) to ensure proper incoming inspection and identification of Suspect/Counterfeit Items (S/CI).

Contracts, Budget, and External Interface
  • Acts as liaison to external authorities (e.g., FAA) as directed by AOM.
  • Develops/manages the annual aviation maintenance budget as directed.
  • Supports Procurement in negotiating maintenance support; serves as Technical Officer's Representative (TOR) for maintenance-related contracts and prepares Scopes of Work for outside maintenance agencies.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
  • High school diploma/GED or higher.
  • Certification from an organization accredited in aviation maintenance.
  • 5+ years of FAA (or equivalent) regulated aircraft maintenance experience involving multi-engine turbine aircraft.
  • 3+ years of maintenance leadership experience in a Director of Maintenance, supervisory, or inspector capacity.
  • FAA Mechanic Certificate with Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) ratings or equivalent.
  • Current FAA Inspection Authorization (IA) or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in aviation maintenance technology, aerospace engineering, or related technical discipline.
  • 10+ years providing/overseeing multi-engine turbine airframe maintenance.
  • 5+ years maintaining Group 3/Large UAS (≥55 lb).
  • CL-600-2B19 experience (Regional Jet Series 100/440, Challenger SE, Challenger 850, CRJ100/200); working knowledge of Collins Pro Line 4 avionics.
  • Documented training: GE CF34 engines (CF34-3B1 preferred) and Honeywell 36-150 Series APU.
  • Sheet metal/fabrication; experience with computerized maintenance applications (e.g., Veryon/ATP Flightdocs); strong computer and communication skills.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

  • Travel up to 25%; deployments up to six weeks.
  • Physical requirements: lift up to 50 lbs; stand up to 8 hours per day; bend, stretch, crawl, and climb ladders to access all aircraft areas.

Additional Information

This position involves access to sensitive systems and information. U.S. Citizenship is required. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is subject to the Department of Energy Unclassified Foreign Visits & Assignments Program site, information, technologies, and equipment access requirements.

Testing Designated Position

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
* Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

Click Here For Rockstar Rewards

Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual's relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $148,000.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary

USD $233,900.00/Yr.

About Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory that conducts research and development in areas including energy, environment, and national security. PNNL is operated by Battelle Memorial Institute and is located in Richland, Washington. The laboratory was established in 1965 as the Battelle Northwest Laboratory and was renamed to its current name in 1997. PNNL has a staff of over 4,000 scientists, engineers, and support staff, and has an annual budget of over $1 billion. The laboratory has been involved in a number of high-profile projects, including the development of the first artificial heart and the cleanup of the Hanford Site, a decommissioned nuclear production complex.
Learn more about Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Size
5,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1965

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