Aircraft Lead

Company Overview

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas. These include airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special air missions, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. We own the whole stack: designing, building, and operating turnkey capabilities that give our partners decisive, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats.

Our operating model is built around three interlocking pillars. The Support Groups provide a global shared-service – spanning people, finance, platform, operations, legal, and engagement. This frees up our Core Groups, who develop and own mission capabilities end-to-end, to focus entirely on delivery. The Market Groups apply a regional lens, ensuring that our agile and adaptable capabilities remain aligned to the wicked problems that matter most to our partners across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.

At the heart of our model is a simple but powerful idea: be a true partner with skin in the game. Our partners need effects, not just equipment. By owning the full stack – from the lab to the field – we are able to drive a continuous cycle of innovation that keeps our partners ahead. It's a fast-moving, intellectually demanding environment where talented people are given real responsibility, work on problems that matter, and contribute to an enterprise that is growing quickly and deliberately.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, with facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, as well as Continental Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Group Overview

Aerospace Engineering Group (AERO) is responsible for developing and delivering Metrea’s aviation engineering and integration capabilities, focusing on aircraft modification, system integration, and technical project management. AERO takes mission requirements and transforms them into operational assets by designing, engineering, and integrating new systems and technologies. The group manages aviation project lifecycles, from concept to testing, ensuring aircraft modifications meet performance, safety, and airworthiness standards. With a unified structure, AERO leverages its engineering expertise and project management capabilities to enhance Metrea’s aviation fleet, supporting a range of specialized operations through innovation and technical excellence.

Position Summary

The Aircraft Lead role is a working lead position where you will be responsible for hands‑on troubleshooting, modification, maintenance and integration of complex ISR mission systems while directing a team of technicians in a Part 145 repair station aligning with Part 21 capabilities. This role focuses on planning and sequencing personnel from different specialties in the installation of concurrent aircraft modifications and mission equipment in accordance with the Repair Station Manual/Quality Control Manual (RSM/QCM), OEM data, and applicable FAA regulations.

What You'll Do

Lead day to day execution of ISR integration and maintenance work packages from induction through return to service.

Contribute to work scope definition and execution planning by evaluating project requirements, determining personnel and tooling needs, and estimating labor hours for modification and maintenance tasks.

Perform and provide direct technical guidance in troubleshooting, aircraft inspections, and aircraft maintenance.

Order parts and track part statuses to meet aircraft delivery timelines.

Mentor technicians, enforce safe work practices and housekeeping, and ensure all maintenance, alterations, and tests are performed and recorded in full compliance with the repair station’s procedures and relevant data.

Interpret engineering drawings, STCs, and installation packages, and provide feedback to engineering on discrepancies and design improvements.

Coordinate functional checks, ground tests, and post‑mod verification of avionics and ISR systems, ensuring proper configuration and performance to ensure delivery of a fully functional mission platform.

Perform other duties, responsibilities, and projects assigned by management.

What You Bring

Minimum 5 years of aircraft maintenance experience.

Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience within an FAA Part 145 and/or Part 21 environment.

Hands on experience in aircraft modification, military integration programs, or special mission aircraft.

Working knowledge of aircraft drawings and redline procedures.

Demonstrated experience with standard enterprise IT utilities.

Familiarity with ISO9001, AS9100, and process improvement systems.

Preferred

Working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 21 and adjacent processes, including design, fabrication, prototyping, and conformity processes.

Proficiency with digital maintenance/production systems (AMOS, Corridor, Veryon, etc.), including electronic task cards.

Background in rapid prototyping or “one‑off” integrations where requirements evolve during installation and test.

Experience standing up new modifications or transitioning prototype installs into repeatable production packages.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

Airframe and Powerplant License.

Must be able to pass pre-employment background check and FAA DOT drug test.

Valid driver’s license.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical plan options

HSA/FSA accounts

Dental and vision coverage

6% employer 401(k) match

Fully paid parental leave for all new parents

Generous PTO

Life and disability insurance Long-term and Short-term disability coverage

AD&D Coverage

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Subsidized gym membership / plans through Wellhub

Work Authorization / Security Clearance

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Must be a US citizen

Position may require passing a government-administered background check.

Employment is contingent on meeting all clearance and adjudication requirements.

AAP/EEO Statement

Metrea Aircraft Integration Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time non-exempt position with typical working hours from Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Hours and work shifts may change in accordance with department and business needs. Non-Exempt employees may be required to work over 40 hours per week with approval from the department manager.

Work Environment

This job operates primarily in a hangar or flight line environment, with exposure to varying weather conditions, loud noise, and aircraft systems. The role may require standing, bending, climbing, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Technicians must adhere to strict safety protocols and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Occasional travel and overtime may be required to support operational demands.

Travel

0 – 10%.

Our Firmware

At Metrea, our single core value is Rooted in Humility, and our four cornerstone attributes are Entrepreneurial, Systematic, Discerning, and Over-Deliver. These form what we call our Teammate Firmware. Just like technical firmware connects software and hardware, our Firmware is the constant interface between our mission and our people. It defines how we show up, how we work together, and how we solve complex problems.

Our team Firmware creates a web-like, hyper-collaborative, dynamically hierarchical way of working that helps us adapt quickly, communicate openly, and distribute decision-making to where expertise actually lives. It enables groups to self-organize around hard problems, shift fluidly as priorities evolve, and operate with the trust, curiosity, and discipline required in a complex mission space. This foundation allows us to deliver elegant, effective solutions and uphold our purpose: protecting our precious inheritance.