Job Description SummaryThe Flight Line Operations manager reports directly to the GE Aerospace Flight Test Operation Leader. This person will lead a team of mechanics, technicians, and salaried employees to perform required modifications and maintenance of flight test aircraft, engine test cell operation, maintenance, repair, and overhaul of in-service jet engines, support flight and engine testing at Victorville, Edwards Air Force Base and other offsite locations.
The manager will work with other staff and teams at Flight Test Operation to drive continuous improvement, ensure reliability and consistency of daily operations. This position will have management and leadership responsibility for exempt employees and non-exempt employees, contingent workers and purchased services. This position will require comprehensive knowledge of applicable FAA framework, GE Quality, Boeing 747 aircraft systems and GE turbofan and turbojet engines.
In this role you will be responsible for major and complex assignments with long-term business implications, manage complex issues within functional area(s) of expertise, and contribute to the overall business strategy. High levels of operational judgment are required to achieve outcomes required. Impacts and manage the team’s ability to achieve service, quality, and timeliness of objectives. Drives initiatives to improve the effectiveness of the team and interfaces with other functions to provide effective coordination of metrics, dashboards, functional processes, and cross-functional initiative coordination.Job Description
Essential Responsibilities:
- Uses high level of judgment to make decisions and handle complex tasks or problems that impact the quality function and site operations. Has ability to assess quality of information given and ask pertinent questions to stakeholders. Able to offer new solutions to problems outside of set parameters and can construct and provide recommendations. Uses multiple internal and some external sources outside of own function to help arrive at a decision.
- Manage overall flight line operations to reach defined targets in quality, cost, delivery, and safety. Ensure continuous business improvement according to benchmarks and standards.
- Embraces and integrates Lean principles into operations, utilizing proven toolkits for daily management and problem solving. Establishes regular Genba walks and participates in ones organized by other teams.
- Management of a team of salaried/exempt and hourly/non-exempt employees covering several functional areas including aircraft & powerplant maintenance, flight test instrumentation and data acquisition systems, jet engine/flight testing. Develop and implement strategy for the area of responsibility, including control of resources and influences policy formulation.
- Lead diverse team responsible for general service, repairs, and overhauls of aircraft and aircraft engines to ensure they are in good mechanical condition and safe for flight.
- Interprets simple internal and external business challenges and recommends best practices to improve products, processes, or services. Stays informed of industry trends that may inform work.
- Champions EHS and Quality policies, procedures, and principles.
- Ensure on-time delivery of flight test aircraft ready to perform stated test missions with FTY1 (first time yield).
- Ensure on-time completion of engine repairs/overhauls with FTY 1 (first time yield)
- Ensure on-time execution of engine tests in ground test cells with FTY 1 (first time yield)
- Work collaboratively with engineering and support teams to develop and define test program plans, ensure coverage and timeliness.
- Accountable for partnering with site leadership to establish training programs to continually improving employees’ technical capabilities and knowledge of governing procedures, regulations, and requirements.
- Assist in developing and maintaining a SMS program in partnership with Quality and FTO leadership team.
- Manage and ensure adherence to the DWFP program.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Bachelors degree from an accredited university or college in aviation sciences, aviation maintenance, quality systems, engineering, or related technical discipline
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in aircraft operations, aviation maintenance support, aircraft flight test, engine development testing or flight testing.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Valid FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) License
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD Security Clearance.
- Ability and willingness to work flexible and off-shift hours (including 1st, 2nd, 3rd shift, nights, weekends, and holidays) when business needs dictate.
- Ability and willingness to travel to and support operations at offsite locations when business needs dictate.
- Ability and willingness to fly aboard an experimental aircraft including participation in development flight tests.
- Able to obtain and maintain FAA Class-3 medical certificate or equivalent.
Desired Characteristics:
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve problems.
- Demonstrated ability to lead programs / projects.
- Ability to document, plan, market, and execute programs.
- Established project management skills. Strong organizational skills with proven ability to lead multiple initiatives/projects to completion simultaneously.
- Familiarity with aerospace test environment; prior flight test and/or experience preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to health and safety, champions efforts to ensure that team members are safe.
- 10+ years of experience in aircraft operations, aviation maintenance support, aircraft flight test, engine development testing or flight testing.
- Prior Management / Supervisory experience in an operation / production / maintenance environment. Experience leading teams directly; team champion and advocate, with effective leadership/team building skills. Ability to guide, coach and influence others.
- Diversified maintenance and/or operations experience with large transport category aircraft. This experience may be with an air carrier, commercial operator, certificated repair station, or other government agency.
- Diversified experience in jet engine assembly, maintenance, repair, overhaul, and testing.
- Experience with maintenance planning and maintaining technical records for a large transport category aircraft.
- Knowledgeable about 14 CFR Part 91 Operations, 14 CFR Part 145 Repair Stations and Quality Principles in manufacturing and maintenance/overhaul environments.
- Ability to establish priorities in a fast-moving dynamic experimental flight test operation and aircraft maintenance and operation environment.
- Ability to interface effectively with all levels within the company as well as organizations outside GE, i.e., regulatory agencies and subject matter experts. Ability to interface effectively with all levels within the company as well as organizations outside GE, i.e., regulatory agencies and subject matter experts.
The base pay range for this position is $156,300 - $260,700. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the
candidate’s experience, education, and skill set. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus based on a percentage of your base salary/
commission based on the plan. This posting is expected to close on 5/27/2024.
Healthcare benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to a Health Coach, a 24/7 nurse-based resource; and access to the Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Retirement Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged 401(k) savings opportunity with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and planning consultants. Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and paid time-off for vacation or illness.
General Electric Company, Ropcor, Inc., their successors, and in some cases their affiliates, each sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs (i.e., is a “Sponsor”). Each Sponsor reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace, or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a Sponsor’s welfare benefit plan or program. This document does not create a contract of employment with any individual.
This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. If applicable, final offers will be contingent on ability to obtain authorization for access to U.S. export-controlled information from the U.S. Government.
Additional Information
GE offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
GE will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).
Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes
