OVERVIEW OF POSITION:
Reports To: Operations Manager
Precision. Pride. Performance.
Built in the Gorge. Flown Around the World.
At Applied Aerospace and Defense – White Salmon, we engineer advanced composite solutions that serve aerospace, defense, industrial, marine, automotive, and other high-performance industries. Located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, just one hour east of Portland, this is where cutting-edge manufacturing meets an unmatched lifestyle.
Our team takes pride in building world-class products, solving complex engineering challenges, and continuously improving the way we work. If you are driven by innovation, hands-on problem solving, and the desire to create equipment that powers next-generation manufacturing, we invite you to join us.
The Plant Maintenance Manager is responsible for leading all facility, equipment, and infrastructure maintenance activities within a high-precision composite aerospace manufacturing environment. This role ensures that plant equipment, utilities, and facility systems operate safely, reliably, and at peak performance. With both hands-on engineering ability and strong leadership capability, the Plant Maintenance Manager directs daily maintenance operations, sets strategic maintenance priorities, develops preventative maintenance systems, and drives continuous improvement across all plant infrastructure.
This role collaborates closely with Production, Engineering, EHS, and external contractors while maintaining primary ownership of maintenance performance, facility readiness, and long-term asset reliability.
Why This Role Matters
Aerospace manufacturing depends entirely on stable utilities, high-performing production equipment, and well-maintained facilities. From HVAC and compressed air to freezers, vacuum systems, and critical composite processing machinery, reliability is non-negotiable. The Plant Maintenance Manager ensures failures are anticipated—not reacted to—and that repairs are permanent, not temporary. This position sets the standard for maintenance excellence, operational discipline, and technical craftsmanship throughout the facility.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop maintenance technicians and apprentices, providing direction, training, and performance feedback.
- Plan, prioritize, and assign daily maintenance work based on production schedule, safety needs, and asset criticality.
- Establish a culture of reliability, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement.
- Manage contractor activities, ensuring work meets engineering requirements, quality standards, and timelines.
- Oversee maintenance budgeting, spare parts management, and procurement of tools, equipment, and services.
- Ensure compliance with safety procedures, facility codes, and operational regulations.
Maintenance Engineering & Reliability
- Serve as the technical authority for plant equipment, utilities, mechanical systems, and facility operations.
- Lead root cause analysis investigations and implement permanent corrective actions for equipment or facility failures.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve preventative and predictive maintenance programs, including PM schedules, documentation, KPIs, and compliance tracking.
- Maintain and improve mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems supporting aerospace production.
- Coordinate facility upgrades, utility improvements, expansions, and infrastructure modifications (HVAC changes, machinery moves, lighting, foundations, space optimization).
- Fabricate, modify, or repair equipment using welding (TIG/MIG/Arc), machining, rigging, or mechanical assembly as needed.
- Maintain accurate maintenance records, equipment histories, and engineering documentation.
Operational & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Production and Engineering to ensure equipment readiness and support new manufacturing processes.
- Interface with EHS to ensure safe work practices and hazard mitigation across facility systems.
- Support capital projects, equipment selection, and long-term planning for facility and infrastructure growth.
- Communicate maintenance status, project progress, and reliability metrics to leadership.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of industrial, aerospace, or manufacturing experience with emphasis on equipment maintenance, utilities, or facility systems.
- Proven ability to troubleshoot and repair complex mechanical systems (pumps, gearboxes, compressors, hydraulic/pneumatic systems).
- Working knowledge of electrical systems, schematics, controls wiring, and instrumentation.
- Strong fabrication and welding experience (TIG/MIG/Arc).
- Demonstrated experience creating, managing, or improving preventative maintenance programs.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel for documentation, reporting, and data tracking.
- Effective communication skills in English; Spanish language is a plus.
- Ability to work primarily day shift with occasional off-shift or weekend support during critical repairs or upgrades.
- Ability to lift/carry up to 75 lbs and perform typical physical demands associated with manufacturing facility maintenance.
Preferred Qualifications
- PLC knowledge or controls experience (training can be provided).
- Limited electrical maintenance license.
- Prior leadership or supervisory experience in a maintenance environment.
- Experience in aerospace or composite manufacturing.
- Experience with machining equipment (lathe, mill, drill press).
- Familiarity with continuous improvement, root-cause analysis, lean manufacturing, or reliability engineering principles.
Working Conditions
- Work primarily performed indoors in a manufacturing facility with exposure to typical mechanical and electrical hazards.
- Frequent interaction with production teams, engineering departments, contractors, and maintenance personnel.
- Requires strong decision-making, problem-solving, team leadership, and ability to teach or present technical information.
The statements above outline the essential functions and skill requirements for the role. Duties may be updated or adjusted to support ongoing operational and organizational needs.
Why Join Applied Aerospace?
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4/10 Schedule – Three-day weekends every week
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Competitive Compensation
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Bonus Eligible
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Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage
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401(k) Program
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Paid Time Off
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Career Growth in a High-Tech Aerospace Environment
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Work Where Others Vacation – Columbia River Gorge Lifestyle
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as assigned, consistent with business needs and applicable law.
Due to the nature of our work and applicable U.S. export control laws, this position requires International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) eligibility. Only individuals who qualify as a “U.S. person” as defined by ITAR (U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, refugees, or asylees), unless specified otherwise within job description, are eligible for employment.
Applied Aerospace & Defense (“AA&D”) is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Applicants who require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to disability, medical condition, or other protected reason may contact the Human Resources Department. Requests will be reviewed in accordance with applicable law.
Where required by law, the applicable pay range and a summary of benefits and other compensation for this position will be provided.
