Engine Manager in Oscoda, Michigan at Kalitta

Kalitta Charters II specializes in scheduled and on-demand narrow-body freighter operations. In 2003, aviator and NHRA World Champion, Doug Kalitta, set out to provide a safe and reliable solution to a complex logistics problem. This problem entailed moving freight across the Americas for our customers… overnight!

Job Summary

Kalitta Charters II is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Engine Manager to oversee the technical, operational, compliance, and financial performance of the CFM56-3 engine fleet. This role is responsible for engine health monitoring, performance analysis, maintenance planning, shop visit coordination, life-limited parts management, and materials support. The ideal candidate will bring strong aviation maintenance expertise, sound judgment, and a proactive approach to improving engine reliability, operational readiness, and cost performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Engine Health Monitoring and Performance

• Monitor engine performance trends, evaluate reliability data, and identify abnormal operating conditions.
• Diagnose engine conditions requiring maintenance action and coordinate timely corrective measures.
• Maintain reliability metrics and partner with maintenance, engineering, and operations teams to support safe and dependable fleet performance.

Fleet Management

• Maintain engine technical status, EGT margins, configuration records, and compliance tracking.
• Develop short- and long-term engine allocation, rotation, and removal strategies to optimize fleet availability and life-cycle value.

Engine Shop Visit Management

• Define shop visit work scopes based on engine condition, reliability data, maintenance history, and operational requirements.
• Manage vendor communication, teardown reviews, cost estimates, turn-time performance, and return-to-service planning.

Life-Limited Parts Management

• Track life-limited parts cycles, forecast replacement requirements, and optimize parts utilization and stacking strategies.
• Generate and monitor engine removal forecasts to support maintenance planning, budget accuracy, and fleet optimization.

Materials and Asset Management

• Manage spare engine parts, QEC kits, and related material forecasting to support operational readiness.
• Coordinate sourcing, pricing, repair options, and availability with procurement and approved vendors.
• Develop and maintain budgets for materials allocation, maintenance events, and shop visit planning.

Compliance and Documentation

• Maintain accurate engine records and tracking systems in accordance with applicable FAA requirements, company policies, and regulatory standards.
• Prepare reporting packets, performance summaries, budget updates, and technical recommendations for leadership review.

Key Performance Indicators

• Time-on-wing improvement and reduction of unscheduled removals.
• Engine EGT margin retention across fleet.
• Shop visit cost control vs. forecast.
• LLP usage optimization and cycle waste reduction.
• Engine availability and dispatch reliability metrics.

Benefits

• Employer Provided:
  • Short Term Disability
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Basic Life Insurance
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
  • Travel Assistance Program
  • Fidelity 401K with match
• Additional Employee Elective:
  • BCBS – Medical 500 PPO and 1000 PPO options
  • Dental PPO
  • Prescription
  • EyeMed - Vision
  • Flexible Spending Account – Medical and Dependent Care
  • Long Term Disability
  • Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Child
  • Accident and Critical Illness Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Child
  • Hospital Indemnity for Employee, Spouse, and Child
  • Met Law Coverage
  • Nationwide Voluntary Pet Insurance

Minimum Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience working with CFM56-3 or comparable turbofan engines.
• Strong understanding of engine performance analysis, reliability engineering, and maintenance planning principles.
• Experience coordinating engine shop visits, vendor communication, teardown reviews, and return-to-service planning.
• Experience with life-limited parts tracking, cycle forecasting, and engine records management.
• Working knowledge of applicable FAA requirements, including Part 121 and/or Part 145 maintenance environments.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Schedule and Travel Expectations

• Standard Monday–Friday schedule, with flexibility required to support operational needs.
• Occasional travel to engine shops, maintenance locations, or vendor facilities, estimated at less than 25%.
• Participation in on-call support for engine-related aircraft-on-ground or technical issues, as business needs require.

Preferred Qualifications

• Airframe and Powerplant certificate, engineering degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience in cargo aviation, airline maintenance, engine programs, or similar high-reliability aviation operations.
• Familiarity with maintenance tracking systems, trend monitoring tools, and technical records platforms.

Additional Requirements

• Valid, unrestricted driver’s license.
• Airframe and Powerplant certificate, if required for the role or assigned duties.
• Valid U.S. passport, if required for business travel.