Senior Master Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Are you a recently retired senior enlisted leader from the aircraft maintenance community? Do you possess a career's worth of hands-on expertise that simply cannot be taught in a classroom? We are seeking a master-level expert to serve as the ultimate authority on aircraft structural integrity, bridging the critical gap between high-level engineering and practical, flight line reality.

This is not an engineering design role. This is a hands-on, advisory position for a proven leader who has "been there and done that." You will transition your unparalleled experience into a strategic role, serving as the principal technical advisor to government program leadership. You will be empowered to direct the day-to-day activities of on-site contractor support, ensuring maintenance and modifications are executed correctly, efficiently, and safely. You will be the final word on the operational feasibility of repairs, directly impacting aircraft availability and warfighter readiness.

Core Responsibilities:
Direct Mission Oversight: Serve as the principal technical advisor to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC)/EZPT-Metal Fabrication and Technologies Office (MFTO) and Corrosion Prevention and Control Office (CPCO) Chief, providing direct, embedded support and expert consultation.
Contractor Task Management: Authoritatively direct and prioritize the day-to-day activities of on-site contractor maintenance personnel to ensure seamless mission integration and immediate response to government requirements.
Technical Arbitration: Serve as the final authority to chief engineers on the operational feasibility of proposed repairs. Vet, challenge, and reject technical data packages or repair schemes that are logistically unsupportable or technically flawed from a maintainer's perspective.
Fleet-Wide Impact: Analyze maintenance data, Staff Assistance Visits (SAV) findings and Integrated Maintenance Data Systems (IMDS/G081) to identify fleet-wide trends, optimize maintenance priorities, and provide predictive intelligence to leadership for resource allocation.
Force Advocacy & Mentorship: Act as the primary liaison between program leadership and the enlisted maintenance community, gathering ground-truth feedback and advocating for the needs of the 2A7X career fields.

R2 Minimum Qualifications:

Senior Military & Leadership Experience:
Minimum 20 years enlisted USAF service.
Terminal rank of Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) or Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt).
Documented experience as a Production Superintendent or Maintenance Superintendent.

Master-Level Technical Expertise:
Demonstrated mastery across Aircraft Structures, and Advanced Composites with a vast knowledge of Metals Technology and Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI).
Minimum one-year tour as a Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL) within AFLCMC/EN or /EZ.

Security & Access:
Active Secret or Top-Secret security clearance.
Due to the requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be a U.S. citizen.

R3 Minimum Qualifications - Must meet requirements for R2 in addition to:

3 years' experience as principal technical advisor to the Metal Fabrication and Technologies Office (MFTO) and Corrosion Prevention and Control Office (CPCO) Chief, providing direct, embedded support and expert consultation.

3 years' experience directing and prioritizing daily activities of on-site contractor maintenance personnel to ensure seamless mission integration and immediate response to government requirements.

3 years' experience guiding and directing technical teams, such as Aircraft Structures, Advanced Composites, Corrosion, and Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI).

While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

R2 Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with multiple airframes (e.g., F-16, F-35, C-130, KC-135, etc.).
Formal instructor experience at a technical training unit.
FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) License.
Previous work experience at or in collaboration with University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI)
R3 Preferred Qualifications:
3 years of experience related to project support, business strategy, and technology utilization within the Advanced Technology & Training Centers.

To apply please submit a cover letter addressing each minimum qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications that you meet.

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.