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Remote Helicopter Mechanic Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Remote Helicopter Mechanic information

What does a remote helicopter mechanic do?

A remote helicopter mechanic is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and inspecting helicopters in locations that are far from traditional maintenance facilities, often in remote or challenging environments. Their duties include troubleshooting mechanical issues, performing scheduled maintenance, and ensuring all repairs meet aviation safety standards. These mechanics may work for industries such as oil and gas, emergency medical services, or military operations, and often travel to job sites by air or land. Strong technical skills, adaptability, and the ability to work independently are essential for success in this role.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a remote helicopter mechanic?

To thrive as a Remote Helicopter Mechanic, you need in-depth knowledge of helicopter systems, aviation maintenance procedures, and relevant FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification. Familiarity with diagnostic tools, maintenance tracking software, and specialized aviation equipment is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, self-motivation, and effective communication are essential soft skills, especially when working independently or in isolated settings. These skills ensure safe, efficient maintenance and minimize downtime for critical helicopter operations in remote locations.

What are common challenges faced by remote helicopter mechanics, and how can they be managed?

Remote Helicopter Mechanics often work in isolated locations with limited access to tools, spare parts, and technical support, which can make troubleshooting and repairs more challenging. Effective communication with headquarters, meticulous planning for required parts, and strong problem-solving skills are essential for handling unexpected issues in the field. Building a good rapport with pilots and other crew members also helps ensure smooth operations and rapid response to maintenance needs. Staying current with technical documentation and maintaining a flexible mindset are key to successfully managing these unique challenges.

What is the difference between Remote Helicopter Mechanic vs Drone Technician?

AspectRemote Helicopter MechanicDrone Technician
CertificationsFAA certifications, mechanic licensesFAA Part 107, drone operation licenses
Work EnvironmentHangars, repair shops, remote sitesIndoor labs, outdoor fields, remote locations
Industry UsageAerospace, defense, transportationPhotography, surveying, agriculture

Remote Helicopter Mechanics and Drone Technicians share certifications like FAA licenses and often work in remote or specialized environments. While both roles involve aircraft maintenance, helicopter mechanics focus on larger, manned aircraft, whereas drone technicians work with smaller, unmanned aerial vehicles. Their industries overlap in aerospace and remote operations, but their specific skills and tools differ based on aircraft size and complexity.

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Remote Helicopter Mechanic jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Remote Helicopter Mechanic job openings:

Infographic showing various Remote Helicopter Mechanic job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution.

AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT MECHANIC

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command

Portsmouth, VA • On-site, Remote

$36.32 - $42.37/hr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

29th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

Summary
You will serve as a AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT MECHANIC in the PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT of NAVFAC ENGINEERING CMD MID-ATLANTIC.
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Duties
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  • You will diagnose, locate, and repair malfunctions to the main operating mechanical components of large, complex heating, ventilation; air conditioning, and refrigeration systems (HVAC).
  • You will test for refrigerant leaks and use a refrigerant recovery/recycling station, to Environmental Protection Agency standards to safely reclaim, recycle and store the refrigerant before repairs can be made.
  • You will repair HVAC systems and components in structures such as, warehouses, hangars, hospitals, large office buildings and complexes.
  • You will conduct visual and audible examination of equipment components by applying prescribed test procedures and equipment, and by exploration of probable reasons for equipment failure.
  • You will use all trade tools and test equipment and instruments including, voltage, amperage, and ohm meters, electronic refrigerant leak detectors, micron vacuum analyzers and pumps, electronic temperature gauges, capacitor analyzers, etc.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
  • Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
  • New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a current valid United States driver's license.
  • This is a bargaining unit position.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final SECRET security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • You will be required to successfully complete a pre-appointment physical examination.
  • This position may require travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS and may include remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods of time.
  • This is a Mission Essential position. You will be required to ensure organization or facility continuity of operations and/or completion of tasks that are considered essential to the mission designated by a local or command decision.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a current CPR certification.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a current Universal Certification received from an EPA approved certifying program.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a current EPA 608 certification.
  • You will be required to complete training, obtain, and maintain a government credit card for travel and travel-related purchases.

Qualifications
Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most trade and labor occupations, you must show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the job elements and screen out listed below.
This job has a screen-out element which will be used to determine minimum eligibility for this job. Applicants who do not receive a minimum of two points on the screen-out element(s) will be found ineligible. The Screen-out Element for this position is: 1) Understanding of principles and theories of air conditioning and refrigeration such as, the refrigeration cycle, heat transfer laws, the use of refrigerant tables; how to calculate airflow, and the pressure-temperature characteristics for the different systems to locate problem; 2) Understanding of correcting malfunctions and skill to make repairs to a variety of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems; 3) Understanding of refrigeration cycle of a variety of commercial and industrial systems to locate and check elements such as those which control low side and high side pressure, the temperature of the cooling units, the temperatures of the liquid and suction lines, and the running time of the various mechanisms; 4) Understanding of HVAC systems components such as compressors which include gear, reciprocating, centrifugal, or rotary pump, and a variety of refrigerant controls such as those with low and high pressure side floats, automatic thermostatic expansion valves, capillary or choke types, and those based on volume or quantity changes. In addition, knowledge of systems which have a variety of complicated motor controls such as hermetically sealed motors and pressure controls, thermostatic motor controls (remote and double remote), full and semi-automatic defrosting controls, relays, and other controls to protect against overload or overheating; 5) Understanding of power sources are used with various combinations or pulleys, belts, horse power capacity, and tensioners and the skill to conduct visual and audible examination of equipment components, by applying prescribed test procedures and equipment, and by exploration of probable reasons for equipment failure; 6) Understanding of the analog control systems or knowledge of the direct digital controls (DDC) for the automated control of HVAC systems; and 7) Understanding of DDC devices and software including programmable logic controllers, computers and peripherals which provide a centralized computer network-oriented approach.
Applicants must meet the requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualification Handbook for Trades and Labor Occupations. Additional qualification information can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/federal-wage-system-qualifications/#url=List-of-Approved-Job-Elements
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
Additional information
This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.
Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.
A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.
During the application process you will have the ability to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions in the local commuting area. Depending on the hiring organization and the position being filled, job requirements (e.g., security clearance, travel, drug testing, financial disclosure filing, bargaining unit status, etc.) may vary. Other hiring managers filling similar positions may offer relocation expense reimbursement and/or may offer recruitment incentives for new employees, depending on funding availability and in accordance with policy. If you opt-in and are referred on a certificate, your resume will be available to other hiring managers for 180-days from the date the job announcement closes. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf
This position requires rotating shift work.
The position often requires irregular hours.
PPP applicants will be placed at the FPL, if determined Well Qualified (WQ). To receive priority consideration, the FPL must be the same grade level or equivalent of the retained grade or the grade held immediately prior to separation.
ICTAP Applicants: To be considered well-qualified and exercise selection priority as an ICTAP candidate, displaced Federal employees must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a rating in the highly qualified category (score 85) or higher. ICTAP candidates must provide copies of all of the following documentation at the time of application:?1) agency notice; 2) most recent performance appraisal; and 3) most recent SF-50 or notification of personnel action that includes position, grade level, and duty location. Applicants who do not provide this documentation will not receive consideration as an ICTAP candidate. For more information about ICTAP eligibility please review the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/
Military Spouse Preference applicants will be placed at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined Best Qualified (BQ). A BQ military spouse possesses knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies comparable to others who meet the competitive referral criteria for the specific position.
A relocation incentive is generally a single payment intended to offset some of the relocation costs experienced by the selectee. A relocation incentive may be authorized. PCS is not authorized.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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