The Deputy Aviation Operations Manager (DAOM) will join an exciting team as part of the Field Area within the Antarctic Support Contract (ASC). The DAOM is responsible for working with the ASC Aviation Operations Manager (AOM) to manage the logistics, planning, and coordination associated with the United States Antarctic Program (USAP)'s on-continent fixed wing, helicopter and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) operations consisting of:
• 3 rotary wing aircraft
• 4+ LC-130 Hercules
• 3+ Twin Otters
• 1+ Basler
• 10+ UAVs
Works directly with the National Science Foundation (NSF), Aviation Management Directorate, McMurdo / South Pole area management, the scientific research community, military airlift provider the New York Air National Guard (NYANG), NSF contract airlift providers Kenn Borek Air (KBA) and Pathfinder Aviation Antarctica (PAA), US Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of Aviation Services (OAS), Naval Information War Center Atlantic - Polar Programs (NPP) and other entities to efficiently plan and utilize these resources.
As a leader in the Field Area this position reports to the ASC AOM; while deployed, this position is the most senior Aviation Operations staff member and is responsible for leading a team of aviation supervisors, advising Leidos and NSF leadership on all matters related to Science Aviation, LC-130 Hercules resources, and small fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Assumes authority and responsibility of AOM role if/when needed. Works cooperatively and collaboratively with other ASC areas and departments, key NSF administration, aviation contractors, and science grantees to ensure the effective execution of requirements.
Don't miss this opportunity to join a dynamic team and make a difference. Apply now!
This position is seasonal, and requires deployment to Antarctica (~4 months). This individual will only be employed during the deployment timeline. This position requires successful completion of physical and dental examinations, as required by the NSF for deploying to Antarctica. Failure to meet these requirements will result in withdrawal of employment offer or other employment action.
Due to contract requirements, US Citizenship is required.
Must obtain a Public Trust security clearance prior to start date. This process could take up to 4 months.
The anticipated annual salary range for this role is $117,000 - $132,000, along with a percentage increase during deployment. Total compensation for the role is prorated based on the amount of pay periods worked during deployment.
The Challenge:
- Leads the ASC Science Aviation work center when deployed. Provides direct operational oversight of the fixed wing supervisor and helicopter operations supervisor; assumes authority and responsibility of AOM role if/when needed.
- Serves as the ASC POC for NSF's Science Aviation contracts in collaboration with the Aviation Operations Manager; ensures that all resource planning is compatible with the guidance therein.
- Coordinates with ASC Science Planning team on out-year planning when needed; is responsible for executing the allocation of NSF's rotary and fixed wing resources for science support.
- Coordinates with South Pole, McMurdo, Peninsula, and Field Operations for all aviation requirements and ensures an integrated aviation plan.
- Develops and manages annual and out-year operational budgets in conjunction with the Aviation Operations Manager and Field Area Manager.
- Creates and manages use of data management tools for all aviation resources to accurately and quickly provide planned, actual, and historical numbers to colleagues and customers.
- Ensures USAP logistical requirements and flight hour forecasts per airframe are in alignment with seasonal science and operational plans. Monitors and reports on flight hour and other data in-season and ensures executed plans stay within allocations.
- Coordinates with Antarctica New Zealand (ANZ) and other national programs as required to identify their aviation requirements for shared aircraft resources.
- Collaborates with Field, McMurdo and South Pole Science implementation. Attends science planning meetings and is responsible for understanding each groups' requirements and interdependency for scheduling.
- Oversees execution of seasonal aviation plans as identified in Research Support Plan (RSP) documents and project plans; ensures program requirements are met. Collaborates with Aviation Operations Manager and ASC Science Planning team as needed for Allocated Resource Summary and out-year schedule data review and alignment.
- Works directly with the NYANG to refine ASC requirements and coordinate with NYANG capabilities as season changes occur. Collaborates with the NYANG and NSF to provide feedback for updated NYANG Antarctic Planning Calendar (APC) documents.
- Coordinates with OAS, NSF and Aviation Operations Manager in-season as necessary to respond to emerging issues; ensures accurate data gathering for end-of-season input to plan for the annual aviation Program Management Review (PMR).
- Ensures in-season operations align with the NSF deliverable Annual USAP Air Operations Planning Summary; coordinates with Aviation Operations Manager and others if/when change management is necessary.
- Oversees all on-ice schedule creation to ensure priorities are in line with the season plan. Coordinates flight priorities with ASC and elevates to NSF when required. Works with the NSF to establish flight priorities and allocation/re-allocation of flight hours.
- Maintains effective communication with pilots, field parties and/or field camps. This responsibility includes relaying all changes in support requirements to relevant agencies.
- Oversees in-season integration of continental-based UAV operations with fixed wing and helicopter schedules. Coordinates closely with NPP, NSF, and OAS to address challenges if/as they arise.
- Leads biweekly Air Operations Planning Board (AOPB) meeting and oversees biweekly Helicopter Operations Planning (HOP) meeting. Maintains oversight of progress against planned fixed wing and helicopter flight schedules and hours, coordinates internal and interagency stakeholder discussions to resolve resource and scheduling issues, and ensures integration of on-continent and intercontinental fixed wing airlift plans.
- Directs all aviation data management to include but not limited to: geographic coordinates documentation, statistical information regarding intra-continental flights including planned vs. actual missions, passenger and cargo movements, causes for flight delays, aborts or cancellations, and fuel cache inventory.
- Responsible for ongoing development and implementation of a strategic fuel cache management plan in collaboration with ASC Operations management and Leidos subcontractor Maytag. Collaborates with ASC Operations and other colleagues to ensure aviation fuel cache availability for planned science.
- Interacts with the National Science Foundation, their sub-contracting agencies, military personnel and other agency officials in a professional and tactful manner.
- Responsible for implementing and maintaining a safe workplace program and ensuring that safety is the highest priority in the workplace.
What Sets You Apart:
- Bachelor degree in management, air transportation, or a related field, or demonstrated ability to perform the job responsibilities; 5 years in aviation operations or other related field.
- Strong analytical skills
- Ability to work in a fast paced, high stress environment, work independently, and display strong organizational and strategic thinking skills
- Ability to communicate effectively in in the work environment
- Leadership experience
- Strong Microsoft Office suite skills
You May Also Have:
- Experience working within USAP Aviation Operations or closely associated USAP functional area
- Experience in aviation logistical support or passenger and cargo movement, to include documentation, expediting, and tracking
- Experience with polar field work, science support, or remote logistical support
- DOI Interagency Aviation Training (IAT)
- ICS 200 certified
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
July 23, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $92,300.00 - $166,850.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
