Aircraft Mechanic III - Technical Directive; TD) Manager

Aircraft Mechanic III
- Technical Directive (TD) F/A-18E/F Manager

Adams Communication & Engineering Technology (ACET), Incorporated is a Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) system engineering and information technology firm. Incorporated in 1999, we support mission critical Information Technology (IT) business needs for clients within the intelligence community (IC), Department of Defense (DOD), Veteran Administration (VA) and for select commercial clients. ACET, Inc.'s technical, programmatic, and analytical professionals are experts in commercial technology, customized solutions, and proprietary government systems.

The Aircraft Technical Directive (TD) Manager serves as the on-site configuration control authority, technical compliance coordinator, and maintenance data supervisor for the F/A-18E/F platforms supporting the VFC-12 "Fighting Omars" Navy Adversary squadron at NAS Oceana. This critical leadership role is responsible for the end-to-end management, tracking, dissemination, and data-logging of all Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Technical Directives, Airframe Change (AFC) updates, Avionics Change (AVC) orders, Power Plant Change (PPC) requirements, and safety-of-flight bulletins.

Bridging the gap between defense contractor logistics, corporate quality assurance, and active-duty squadron maintenance control, the TD Manager ensures that 100% of assigned strike-fighter assets maintain absolute airworthiness, configuration accountability, and compliance with the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP) and DCMAINST 8210.1 guidelines.

Responsibilities:

• Identify, review, log, and screen all incoming NAVAIR Technical Directives (TDs), including Interim Safety Rapid Action TDs (ISRATDs), Bulletins, and Formal Changes applicable to the F/A-18E/F airframes and embedded engine systems.
• Manage documentation accuracy across the Optimized Organizational Maintenance Activity (OOMA) and Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS). Review and sign off baseline configurations, verify conditional TDs, and clear deferred maintenance logs.
• Maintain absolute logistical traceability of aircraft serialization, component mods, structural modifications, and avionics suite upgrades. Perform physical verification audits on wing structural stations, weapon systems routing, and software baselines on the tarmac or in hangar bays.
• Coordinate seamlessly with defense supply chains and localized Naval Aviation Logistics Command channels to track, order, inventory, and allocate TD modification kits, unique tooling, and replacement components required to execute specific updates.
• Act as the primary interface between Contract Field Team (CFT) site mechanics, the Quality Assurance (QA) manager, Squadron Maintenance Control officers, and NAVAIR Fleet Support Team (FST) engineers to resolve engineering discrepancies or technical ambiguity.
• Compile, maintain, and present precise daily, weekly, and monthly technical compliance metrics, readiness impact forecasts, and airframe completion histories to both the contractor Program Manager and VFC-12 command leadership via AMSRR and DECKPLATE dashboards.
• Enforce strict compliance with COMNAVAIRFORINST 4790.2 (NAMP) Chapter 10 configuration management directives, active Tool Control Programs (TCP), and Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Instruction 8210.1C operations safety protocols.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required. A Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Management, Logistics, or Engineering Technology is a significant plus. Configuration Management (CM2) or PMP certifications are highly beneficial.
• Minimum of 6 to 8+ years of dedicated experience in military aviation maintenance administration, technical data analysis, or quality inspection, with a mandatory minimum of 3 years focused directly on Navy/Marine Corps F/A-18 E/F Aircraft or EA-18G Growler platforms.
• Must possess and maintain an active Department of Defense (DoD) Secret Security Clearance. Verification of clear background screening is a prerequisite for flight line and technical data server access.
• Expert-level operating knowledge of Navy aviation logbook tracking…