Assistant Director of Maintenance in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at Tropic Ocean Airways

TROPIC OCEAN AIRWAYS LLC

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE

Directly Reports To:  Director of Maintenance 

Assistant Director of Maintenance (Part 135)

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Maintenance (ADOM) supports the Director of Maintenance in ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient maintenance of the company's FAA Part 135 aircraft fleet. This position assists in the planning, coordination, supervision, and continuous improvement of all maintenance operations while ensuring full compliance with FAA regulations, company policies, manufacturer requirements, and industry best practices.

The ideal candidate is a proven aviation maintenance leader with extensive experience maintaining Cessna Caravan 208B aircraft, Garmin G1000 integrated avionics systems, and amphibious aircraft. The successful candidate possesses strong leadership, organizational, and technical skills and has a demonstrated ability to lead maintenance teams, improve operational processes, and maintain the highest standards of safety and quality.

Essential Responsibilities

• Assist the Director of Maintenance in managing all aircraft maintenance activities in accordance with FAA Part 135 regulations and company maintenance programs.
• Supervise and mentor maintenance personnel, including technicians, inspectors, and support staff, with responsibility for teams of up to 25 employees.
• Plan and coordinate scheduled inspections, preventive maintenance, unscheduled repairs, and aircraft return-to-service activities.
• Ensure aircraft are maintained in an airworthy condition while minimizing operational downtime.
• Monitor compliance with FAA regulations, manufacturer maintenance manuals, Airworthiness Directives (ADs), Service Bulletins (SBs), and company procedures.
• Support quality assurance and quality control programs through routine audits, inspections, and maintenance documentation reviews.
• Participate in aircraft inspections and maintenance oversight to ensure work meets regulatory and company quality standards.
• Promote a strong safety culture through leadership, accountability, and adherence to Safety Management System (SMS) principles.
• Develop maintenance schedules, manpower plans, and resource allocation to support operational requirements.
• Assist with maintenance budgeting, inventory management, tooling, vendor coordination, and procurement activities.
• Collaborate closely with Flight Operations, Inventory Management/Supply Chain, and executive leadership to optimize fleet reliability and aircraft availability.
• Lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives that increase maintenance efficiency, reduce costs, improve reliability, and enhance regulatory compliance.
• Support FAA inspections, audits, and regulatory interactions.
• Maintain accurate aircraft maintenance records and ensure documentation complies with FAA requirements.
• Serve as acting Director of Maintenance during periods of absence when delegated.

Required Qualifications

• FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certificate.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive aircraft maintenance experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or management experience within a Part 135 or equivalent commercial aviation maintenance organization.
• Demonstrated experience supervising maintenance teams of up to 25 personnel.
• Extensive maintenance experience with or like aircraft:
  • Cessna Caravan 208B aircraft
  • Garmin G1000 integrated avionics systems
  • Amphibious aircraft and float-equipped operations
• Thorough knowledge of FAA Part 135 regulations and aircraft maintenance requirements.
• Strong understanding of aircraft inspection programs, quality control, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience planning maintenance schedules and coordinating multiple aircraft maintenance events.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with computerized maintenance tracking systems and Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• FAA Inspection Authorization (IA).
• Experience supporting floatplane or seaplane commercial operations.
• Experience implementing Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with Safety Management Systems (SMS) and aviation risk management.
• Familiarity with maintenance tracking software like, Veryon, CAMP, Flightdocs, Corridor, or similar maintenance tracking software.

Leadership Competencies

• Proven leadership and team development skills.
• Ability to motivate, coach, and mentor maintenance personnel.
• Strong planning, scheduling, and organizational capabilities.
• Commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Sound decision-making under pressure.
• Exceptional attention to detail and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborative leadership style with strong interpersonal skills.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in hangar and outdoor environments.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb ladders, work from elevated platforms, kneel, bend, and work in confined spaces.
• Ability to travel occasionally in support of maintenance operations.

Work Environment

This position requires flexibility to support operational needs, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call responsibilities. The Assistant Director of Maintenance plays a critical leadership role in maintaining the safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance of the company's Part 135 fleet while fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.