Weekend Explosives Expert Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Crucially, the incumbent is certified as a Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI) and Quality Assurance Safety Observer (QASO), serving as the definitive sign-off authority for explosive handling, arming/dearming, ejection seat maintenance, and critical airworthiness certifications, ensuring strict compliance with NAMP instructions and DCMA regulations.

• Perform and supervise Organizational 'O'-level maintenance on F/A-18E/F armament suspension equipment, bomb racks (BRU-32, BRU-55), missile launchers (LAU-127, LAU-115), and the M61A2 20mm automatic gun system.
• Execute advanced inspection, testing, rigging, removal, and installation of the SJU-17 NACES (Navy Common Ejection Seat), canopy jettison assemblies, explosive cartridge-actuated devices (CADs), propellant-actuated devices (PADs), and OBOGS (On-Board Oxygen Generation Systems).
• Function as a qualified Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI). Review, inspect, verify, and formally sign off on maintenance work performed by junior technicians, validating that all clearances, tolerances, and steps adhere strictly to NAVAIR technical manuals.
• Act as a certified Quality Assurance Safety Observer (QASO) for explosive handling operations. Formally monitor, inspect, and approve all weapon loads, flight line arming/dearming sequences, and explosive transportation, holding ultimate authority to stop operations for safety discrepancies.
• Enforce the Navy's Explosive Handling Qualification and Certification Program (OPNAVINST 8023.24 series), leading team loading protocols and managing the safe storage, handling, and accountability of explosive materials and CADs/PADs.
• Accurately document all maintenance actions, parts usage, inspections, and time-tracking data within the Optimized Organizational Maintenance Activity (OOMA) and Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS).
• Strictly execute and enforce the Navy's Tool Control Program (TCP) and Foreign Object Damage (FOD) prevention programs, conducting inventory checkouts and workspace evaluations to prevent catastrophic flight line failures.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 6+ years of tactical military aircraft maintenance experience, with a mandatory requirement of at least 4 years directly dedicated to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet platform.
• Must have previously held, or be immediately qualified to regain, formal F/A-18E/F Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI) and Quality Assurance Safety Observer (QASO) certifications.
• Must possess and maintain an active Department of Defense (DoD) Secret Security Clearance throughout employment.
• Expert-level understanding of the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP / COMNAVAIRFORINST 4790.2 series), NAVAIR 11-140 ordnance manuals, and NAVAIR 13-1-6 series egress/environmental manuals.
• Prior U.S. Navy or Marine Corps senior enlisted background (E-5 or above) within the Aviation Ordnance (AO) or Aviation Structural Mechanic - Safety Equipment (AME) ratings is highly desirable.
• Proven mastery in interpreting dense electrical schematics, complex pneumatic drawings, system blueprints, and Technical Directives (TDs) to guide safety-critical troubleshooting.

Physical Requirements & Environmental Conditions:

• Willingness and capability to work in high-intensity, safety-critical master jet base environments characterized by extreme ambient noise from running GE F414 turbofan engines.
• Flexibility to work variable shifts (days, nights, or weekends) in direct support of the VFC-12 adversary operational flight window and detachment tempos.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds independently, perform sustained overhead tasks, bend, kneel, and climb high maintenance stands or cockpit access ladders safely.
• Ability to work long periods outdoors on the NAS Oceana flight line, exposed to coastal Virginia seasonal weather variables (freezing winters, high humidity summers).
• Ability to maneuver inside confined aircraft voids and cockpit tubs to perform intricate mechanical component rigging and system hookups.