Job Description: Chief Specialist – Aircraft Maintenance OversightPosition Summary
The Chief Specialist – Aircraft Maintenance Oversight is responsible for providing strategic leadership and technical oversight of aircraft maintenance activities to ensure the continued airworthiness, safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance of the organization's fleet. The role oversees maintenance performed by approved Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organizations and internal maintenance providers, ensuring all work is completed in accordance with applicable aviation regulations, approved maintenance programs, manufacturer requirements, and company policies.
The Chief Specialist serves as the subject matter expert for maintenance oversight, driving maintenance governance, supplier performance, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. This role works closely with Continuing Airworthiness Management (CAMO), Engineering, Quality Assurance, Flight Operations, Safety, Supply Chain, and external maintenance organizations to support safe, efficient, and cost-effective aircraft operations.
Key ResponsibilitiesMaintenance Oversight and Airworthiness
- Provide strategic oversight of line maintenance, base maintenance, heavy maintenance checks, modifications, and component maintenance activities performed by approved maintenance organizations.
- Ensure all maintenance activities comply with applicable civil aviation authority regulations, approved maintenance programs, maintenance organization approvals, and manufacturer requirements.
- Oversee aircraft maintenance execution to ensure continued airworthiness, technical integrity, and operational readiness of the fleet.
- Monitor maintenance performance and ensure timely resolution of technical issues, deferred defects, and maintenance findings.
- Support aircraft acceptance, induction, entry-into-service, lease transition, and redelivery activities.
Technical Leadership
- Serve as the organization's technical authority for aircraft maintenance oversight and maintenance governance.
- Provide expert guidance on complex technical issues involving aircraft systems, structural repairs, modifications, reliability concerns, and maintenance standards.
- Lead technical reviews of significant maintenance events and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
- Promote best practices in aircraft maintenance oversight, technical compliance, and operational excellence.
Regulatory Compliance and Quality
- Ensure compliance with applicable aviation regulations, including ICAO, FAA, EASA, and national civil aviation authority requirements, as applicable.
- Oversee compliance with Airworthiness Directives (ADs), Service Bulletins (SBs), Engineering Orders (EOs), mandatory modifications, and approved maintenance programs.
- Support internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits, ensuring timely closure of audit findings and corrective actions.
- Partner with Quality Assurance and Safety teams to maintain a strong safety culture and quality management system.
Supplier and MRO Management
- Lead technical oversight of contracted Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) providers and other maintenance vendors.
- Establish and monitor supplier performance against contractual obligations, service level agreements (SLAs), and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Conduct technical reviews, maintenance facility assessments, and supplier performance evaluations.
- Collaborate with Procurement and Contract Management teams on supplier selection, contract negotiations, and performance improvement initiatives.
Reliability and Continuous Improvement
- Support aircraft reliability programs through analysis of recurring defects, technical delays, dispatch reliability, and maintenance trends.
- Identify opportunities to improve maintenance efficiency, reduce aircraft downtime, and optimize maintenance costs without compromising safety or compliance.
- Lead root cause investigations for significant maintenance events and oversee implementation of corrective actions.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives using industry best practices and performance data.
Stakeholder Management
- Collaborate with Engineering, CAMO, Maintenance Planning, Flight Operations, Safety, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Finance, and executive leadership to align maintenance activities with operational objectives.
- Act as the primary technical liaison with regulatory authorities, OEMs, lessors, maintenance providers, and external technical partners.
- Prepare and present technical reports, maintenance performance analyses, and strategic recommendations to senior management.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aviation Management, or a related technical discipline.
- Valid Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) License, FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P), EASA Part-66 License, or equivalent aircraft maintenance qualification is highly preferred.
- Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive experience in commercial aircraft maintenance, continuing airworthiness, engineering, maintenance oversight, or technical operations.
- Significant experience managing maintenance oversight within an airline, aircraft lessor, MRO, or aviation organization.
Required Skills & Competencies
- Expert knowledge of commercial aircraft maintenance practices, continuing airworthiness principles, and maintenance oversight.
- Comprehensive understanding of aviation regulations and industry standards.
- Strong technical knowledge of aircraft systems, structures, maintenance planning, and reliability programs.
- Proven leadership in maintenance governance, supplier oversight, and cross-functional technical teams.
- Experience managing heavy maintenance programs and contracted MRO organizations.
- Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving capabilities.
- Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
- Experience with maintenance management systems such as AMOS, TRAX, Ramco, Rusada, or equivalent.
- Ability to make sound technical decisions in complex operational environments.
- High standards of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to aviation safety.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Airbus and/or Boeing commercial aircraft fleets.
- Experience supporting fleet introduction, aircraft lease transitions, and redelivery projects.
- Training or certification in Safety Management Systems (SMS), Human Factors, Quality Management Systems, or Lean Six Sigma.
- Experience managing regulatory inspections and external audits.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Regulatory compliance and audit performance
- Aircraft dispatch reliability
- On-time completion of scheduled maintenance
- Maintenance-related operational disruptions
- Repeat defect reduction
- MRO supplier performance and SLA compliance
- Maintenance turnaround time
- Corrective action closure rate
- Maintenance cost optimization
- Safety and quality performance metrics
Working Relationships
Internal
- Engineering
- Continuing Airworthiness Management (CAMO)
- Maintenance Planning
- Technical Services
- Quality Assurance
- Safety
- Flight Operations
- Supply Chain
- Finance
- Executive Leadership
External
- Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organizations
- Civil Aviation Authorities
- Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
- Aircraft Lessors
- Parts and Component Suppliers
- Technical Consultants and Service Providers
Success Profile
The Chief Specialist – Aircraft Maintenance Oversight is a highly experienced aviation professional who combines deep technical expertise with strategic leadership. The role requires the ability to oversee complex maintenance operations, ensure the highest standards of airworthiness and regulatory compliance, foster strong relationships with maintenance providers and regulatory authorities, and drive continuous improvement across maintenance oversight functions. Success in this position is demonstrated through a safe, reliable, compliant, and cost-effective maintenance program that supports the organization's operational and business objectives.
Pay: ₹450,000.00 - ₹500,000.00 per month
Benefits:
- Cell phone reimbursement
- Flexible schedule
- Food provided
- Paid sick time
Work Location: In person
