Aircraft Crew Chief

Job Title: T-38 Aircraft Maintenance Technician / Crew Chief- Position Located in Birmingham

Please apply or reach out to Kaitlin with Aerotek Aviation at View phone number on jobs.aerotek.com

Job Description

The T-38 Aircraft Maintenance Technician / Crew Chief inspects, troubleshoots, and maintains aircraft structures, engines, hydraulic systems, and related components and equipment for T-38 aircraft. This role supports safe and reliable flight operations by performing and documenting maintenance in accordance with quality, regulatory, and environmental standards, while using automated maintenance systems to monitor trends, analyze equipment requirements, and maintain accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Inspect, troubleshoot, and maintain aircraft structures, engines, hydraulic systems, and other related systems, components, and equipment.
• Supervise and assist in launching and recovering aircraft to ensure safe and efficient flight operations.
• Remove and install T-38 aircraft assemblies, engines, and engine components following established procedures.
• Conduct operational checks and repair or replace damaged components and systems to restore proper functionality.
• Perform T-38 ground engine operations in accordance with technical data and safety requirements.
• Adjust, align, and rig aircraft control systems, including landing gear and associated mechanisms.
• Accomplish aircraft weight and balance functions to support safe flight performance.
• Supervise and perform T-38 aircraft jacking, lifting, mooring, and towing operations using appropriate equipment and safety practices.
• Interpret inspection findings and determine the adequacy of corrective actions to ensure airworthiness.
• Inspect and check components for clearances, tolerances, proper installation, and correct operation.
• Identify and inspect aircraft corrosion, and perform or support corrosion prevention and repair activities.
• Review maintenance data collection summaries to determine trends and assess production effectiveness.
• Perform crash recovery duties as required to support emergency and contingency operations.
• Review maintenance forms, aircraft records, automated maintenance data systems, and historical reports to ensure complete and accurate documentation.
• Perform pre-use inspections and operate powered and non-powered aerospace ground equipment safely and effectively.
• Inventory and maintain aircraft mission equipment and alternate mission equipment to ensure availability and serviceability.
• Perform entry and maintenance tasks in confined spaces when required, following all safety and procedural guidelines.
• Recommend methods to improve equipment performance and maintenance procedures based on inspection findings and data analysis.
• Use automated maintenance systems to input, validate, and analyze maintenance data, monitor trends, and maintain equipment records.
• Inspect, clear, and close out completed maintenance discrepancies in automated maintenance systems.
• Document maintenance actions in accordance with Quality Assurance and established regulatory requirements.
• Store, handle, and dispose of hazardous waste and materials according to environmental standards and company processes.
• Perform regular Foreign Object Damage (FOD) walks to maintain a clean and safe operating environment.
• Maintain strict tool control procedures, including reporting missing or unattended tools, and regularly inventorying and inspecting tools to replace worn or broken items.
• Comply with safety rules and regulations during all maintenance activities, promptly reporting accidents, injuries, safety violations, and unsafe practices or procedures.
• Maintain equipment records, accurately enter descriptions of work performed, and verify that maintenance has been completed satisfactorily.
• Perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5+ years of crew chief experience working on military or fighter aircraft.
• Hands-on rigging experience with aircraft control systems, including adjusting, aligning, and rigging control surfaces and landing gear.
• Ability to perform inspections, troubleshooting, and maintenance on aircraft structures, engines, hydraulic systems, and related components.
• Experience conducting operational checks and performing ground engine operations on jet aircraft.
• Proficiency in accomplishing aircraft weight and balance functions.
• Experience supervising and performing aircraft jacking, lifting, mooring, towing, and launch and recovery operations.
• Ability to interpret inspection findings, determine corrective actions, and verify the adequacy of repairs.
• Skill in inspecting components for clearances, tolerances, proper installation, and correct operation.
• Experience identifying and addressing aircraft corrosion, including prevention and repair.
• Ability to review maintenance data collection summaries to identify trends and assess maintenance effectiveness.
• Experience with crash recovery duties or similar emergency maintenance support.
• Proficiency in reviewing and maintaining maintenance forms, aircraft records, automated maintenance data systems, and historical reports.
• Ability to perform pre-use inspections and operate powered and non-powered aerospace ground equipment.
• Experience using automated maintenance systems to input, validate, analyze, and track maintenance data and discrepancies.
• Strong documentation skills, with the ability to record maintenance actions in accordance with Quality Assurance and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of proper storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous waste and materials in line with environmental standards.
• Strict adherence to tool control procedures, including inventory, inspection, and reporting of missing or unattended tools.
• Commitment to safety, including compliance with safety rules and regulations and prompt reporting of accidents, injuries, and safety violations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• T-38 aircraft experience is highly preferred; experience with other fighter jets such as F-18, F-5, or F-16 is considered transferable and valuable.
• Experience with landing gear systems and associated aircraft control systems.
• Familiarity with weight and balance calculations and documentation for jet aircraft.
• Experience using automated maintenance systems to monitor maintenance trends, analyze equipment requirements, maintain equipment records, and manage time-change databases.
• Ability to perform maintenance tasks in confined spaces while following all safety protocols.
• Special certifications such as Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), egress, or confined space qualifications are beneficial.
• Relevant depot-level or heavy maintenance MRO experience is an advantage, particularly with 4–12+ years of experience.
• T-38 and/or AFSC-specific job experience, especially with 5–10+ years of direct involvement, is a strong plus.
• Experience as a Quality Technical Inspector is desirable.
• MB US 16T ejection seat experience, particularly 5+ years, is a valuable asset.
• Ability to recommend improvements to equipment performance and maintenance procedures based on data and field experience.

Why Work Here?

Enjoy a permanent, long-term opportunity with a multi-year base period that offers stability and room for growth. Benefit from competitive compensation tailored to the local market, with structured pay increases of approximately 3–5% year over year based on performance. Take advantage of additional compensation for specialized certifications and relevant experience, rewarding your professional development and expertise. Access a comprehensive pay package that includes paid federal holidays, paid time off after your first year of service, and relocation support on a case-by-case basis. Work in an environment that values technical excellence, safety, and continuous improvement, providing opportunities to expand your skills on advanced fighter aircraft platforms without the need to supply your own tools.

Work Environment

Work primarily in a hangar environment on a day shift schedule, supporting T-38 and other fighter aircraft maintenance operations. The setting involves regular use of aerospace ground equipment, both powered and non-powered, and may require working in confined spaces while adhering to strict safety and environmental standards. The role emphasizes rigorous tool control, Foreign Object Damage (FOD) prevention practices, and careful handling of hazardous materials. The facility operates with a strong focus on quality assurance, accurate documentation, and compliance with maintenance and safety procedures, providing a structured and professional atmosphere for aircraft maintenance technicians.

This is a Permanent position based out of Enterprise, AL.

The pay range for this position is $77000.00 - $85000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Medical Dental Vision Insurance

This is a fully onsite position in Enterprise,AL.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 4, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.