The Position:ACET is seeking a highly experienced Aerospace Contract
Operations Manager to lead and oversee all operational, contractual, and programmatic execution for the H-1 Depot-Level Modification program located at MCAS Camp Pendleton. This role is responsible for operational performance, workforce leadership, production planning, contract compliance, customer engagement, and cross-site coordination within a high-tempo USMC aviation environment.
The Operations Manager ensures all assigned programs meet schedule, cost, quality, safety, and compliance requirements while cultivating a culture of excellence, accountability, quality of end product and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities:Program & Contract Execution:- Lead day-to-day operations for all H-1 Depot-Level Modification lines.
- Ensure full compliance with prime contract/PWS/SOW requirements, CDRLs, QAPP, QCP, AS9100/AS9110 standards, NAVAIR 4790.2, and site-level policies.
- Oversee production schedules, labor utilization, workflow sequencing, and throughput optimization to meet customer delivery timelines.
- Manage program baselines, budgets, burn rates, financial performance, and forecasting.
- Responsible for managing all aircraft flow tracking and delivering weekly and monthly performance reporting in support of PMA and customer IPT meetings.
Leadership & Workforce Management:- Provide direct leadership to Site Managers, Team Leads, QA, Logistics, and support personnel across multiple shifts and mod lines.
- Drive high-performance culture focused on safety, quality, accountability, and mission readiness.
- Lead manpower planning, hiring, onboarding, training, performance evaluations, and corrective actions as required.
- Ensure adherence to SCA/Wage Determination compliance where applicable.
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement:- Serve as the primary interface with PMA-276/ MAG-39, HMLA squadrons, FST Engineering, and Government site leadership.
- Conduct daily/weekly touchpoints, PMRs, IPTs, and performance reviews; develop data-driven slide decks and reporting deliverables.
- Identify risks, schedule impacts, manpower needs, and mitigation strategies, brief leadership and customer stakeholders accordingly.
Quality, Safety & Compliance:- Oversee implementation of AS9100/ISO quality processes and site-level QA procedures.
- Ensure compliance with Tool Control, FOD, ESD, HAZMAT, PPE, and EHS requirements.
- Support internal and external audits, NC/CAR tracking, root-cause analysis, and process improvement initiatives.
Qualifications:- 10+ years of aerospace or military aviation maintenance/modification leadership experience (H-1 platform preferred).
- Proven experience managing large aerospace contract operations, depot-level and/or O-Level maintenance, or modification programs.
- Deep understanding of NAVAIR 4790.2, military aviation maintenance practices, and AS9100/AS9110 quality standards.
- Demonstrated ability to lead diverse technical teams in a high-tempo environment.
- Strong contract performance management skills.
- Excellent communication, briefing, and customer-facing abilities.
- Strong attention to details and accurate reporting.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance (T3 level).
Preferred Qualifications:- Prior experience supporting USMC HMLA squadrons or H-1 (AH-1Z / UH-1Y) modernization programs.
- Experience with Depot-Level Mod Lines and O-Level Maintenance Programs.
- Proven history managing multi-shift operations and labor/resource forecasting.
- Experience collaborating with PMA and FST engineering teams.
Work Environment/Physical Requirements:- Position involved long periods of standing and sitting and exposed to occasional high noise levels and physical activity can vary.
- Position may require lifting, bending, squatting, pushing and some climbing on step ladder - 2 feet or less.
- May be required to walk around aircraft hangar around aircraft with floors that can be slick.
- May be exposed to some sealants, adhesives, and tooling oil.
- Must be able to list 50 lbs. independently
- May be around active running aircraft and exposed to high level of noise.
- Fit for duty physical may be required.
- Audiograms may be required.
Please note that all compensation, benefits, and policies are subject to change at the company's discretion. While we make every effort to provide advance notice of changes, adjustments may occur based on business needs, economic conditions, and industry standards.
**Must be US Citizen to apply**The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position.
Drug Free Workplace: ACET is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria are met as outlined in our policies.
