Program Director – Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic Program

Colorado Mesa University•Grand Junction, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Colorado Mesa University (CMU) Tech is seeking a highly qualified and experienced aviation maintenance professional to serve as the Program Director – Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic Program. The Program Director provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for the Aviation Technology Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic Program and serves as the primary administrator responsible for ensuring program quality, regulatory compliance, operational effectiveness, and student success. The Program Director is responsible for maintaining compliance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, including 14 CFR Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) standards, while leading the continued development and growth of the program. This position oversees curriculum development, faculty leadership, student success initiatives, facilities and equipment, industry alignment, and continuous improvement efforts. The Program Director reports to the Director of Aviation and works collaboratively with faculty, students, aviation industry partners, and university stakeholders to prepare students for successful careers as aviation maintenance technicians.

Requirements

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic Certificate required.
Minimum of five (5) years of professional aviation maintenance experience in general aviation, commercial aviation, military aviation, or a related aviation maintenance environment.
Demonstrated knowledge of FAA regulations applicable to aviation maintenance training programs, including 14 CFR Part 147 requirements.
Experience providing technical instruction, workforce training, mentoring, or educational leadership in an aviation maintenance environment.
Demonstrated ability to lead, organize, and manage technical or educational programs.
Strong communication, organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
Strong knowledge of aviation maintenance practices, FAA regulations, and industry standards.
Commitment to aviation safety, professionalism, and ethical standards.
Ability to lead faculty, staff, and students in a technical education environment.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic educational environment.
Ability to develop innovative solutions and adapt to changing aviation industry needs.
Commitment to student success and workforce development.
Ability to promote continuous improvement and program excellence.
Work safely in aviation maintenance environments, including aircraft hangars, laboratories, and outdoor areas.
Stand, walk, bend, stoop, climb, and move throughout instructional and maintenance spaces.
Occasionally lift or move materials, tools, and equipment associated with aviation maintenance training.
Safely operate in environments containing aircraft, mechanical systems, tools, and equipment.
Perform computer-based administrative work, including documentation, reporting, communication, and program management activities.
Ability to combine aviation maintenance expertise, educational leadership, regulatory knowledge, and a commitment to preparing the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals.
Ability to verify U.S. employment eligibility.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or higher in aviation maintenance, aviation technology, education, management, or related field.
Bachelor’s degree or higher in aviation, education, management, or related discipline.
FAA Inspection Authorization (IA).
Previous experience working in an FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School or similar aviation maintenance training environment.
Experience as an aviation maintenance instructor, lead instructor, program coordinator, or aviation maintenance education administrator.
Experience with FAA audits, compliance reviews, curriculum development, and program improvement initiatives.
Experience developing relationships with aviation industry employers and workforce organizations.
Experience using educational technology, learning management systems, student information systems, scheduling platforms, assessment tools, or FAA recordkeeping systems.
Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary program leader responsible for maintaining FAA Part 147 compliance and ensuring the A&P Mechanic Program meets all applicable regulatory requirements.
Maintain accurate FAA-required records, documentation, training records, instructor qualifications, curriculum documentation, and audit preparation materials.
Prepare for and support FAA inspections, reviews, and compliance activities.
Ensure program policies, procedures, and instructional practices align with FAA regulations and industry expectations.
Provide leadership in maintaining a strong aviation safety culture throughout program operations.
Develop, maintain, and continuously improve the A&P Mechanic Program curriculum to meet FAA requirements, industry standards, and workforce needs.
Ensure course content, laboratory experiences, instructional materials, and training methodologies support student preparation for FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification.
Evaluate emerging aviation maintenance technologies and industry trends to maintain program relevance.
Teach assigned aviation maintenance courses and laboratory sections as part of an 8-credit instructional load.
Maintain instructional quality through effective course delivery, hands-on training experiences, and alignment with aviation maintenance best practices.
Provide direct supervision and leadership for A&P faculty and instructional staff.
Participate in faculty recruitment, hiring recommendations, onboarding, evaluation, workload management, and professional development.
Mentor faculty and support continuous improvement of instructional practices.
Promote consistent instructional standards and effective teaching methods throughout the program.
Foster a collaborative, professional, and safety-focused learning environment.
Support student recruitment, retention, completion, and career preparation initiatives.
Advise and mentor students regarding academic progress, professional development, and aviation maintenance career pathways.
Support students preparing for FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification examinations.
Monitor student success indicators and use program feedback to support continuous improvement.
Address student concerns related to program expectations, policies, and training requirements.
Develop and maintain relationships with aviation maintenance employers, repair stations, airlines, and other aviation industry organizations.
Seek industry feedback to support curriculum relevance, equipment decisions, and program improvement.
Represent CMU Tech at aviation maintenance professional events, workforce meetings, and industry activities as appropriate.
Support internship, employment, and workforce development opportunities through industry relationships.
Oversee daily operations of the A&P Mechanic Program, including instructional scheduling, laboratory activities, resources, and program needs.
Manage and maintain aviation maintenance training facilities, aircraft, tools, equipment, and instructional resources.
Ensure laboratory and training environments meet FAA, university, and safety expectations.
Develop equipment inventory, replacement, and acquisition plans.
Manage relationships with vendors and aviation equipment suppliers.
Participate in long-term planning for program growth, facilities expansion, technology improvements, and resource development.
Develop, manage, and monitor the A&P Mechanic Program budget.
Plan and prioritize expenditures related to equipment, instructional resources, facilities, and operational needs.
Identify future resource requirements to support program growth and maintain industry relevance.
Ensure responsible stewardship of program resources.
Support efforts to increase program visibility, enrollment, and community awareness.
Participate in outreach and recruitment activities that promote aviation maintenance education and career opportunities.
Support program assessment, reporting, and continuous improvement activities.
Use feedback from students, faculty, FAA requirements, and industry partners to improve program effectiveness.
Contribute to establishing CMU Tech’s A&P Mechanic Program as a leading aviation maintenance education program.