Plant Maintenance Manager

Applied Aerospace and Defense - White Salmon•White Salmon, WA

5d•$90,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

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. 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.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.