Operations and Maintenance Supervisor

Company: Virginia Commercial Space
Location: Wattsville
Posted on: March 20, 2026

Job Description:

SUMMARY General Description: The Operations and Maintenance Engineering Supervisor provides support to the Deputy Director of Technical Operations in all activities as required to keep MARS facilities, Launch Pads, Airfield and support teams at an operationally ready state. Responsibilities and Duties: Provides direct oversight of O&M Engineers. Supports Technical Operations Director with process development improvements.Manages staff to ensure adequate support for testing, maintenance and launch activities.Works under direction of both Director and Deputy Director of Technical Operations to execute Operations strategy.Supports engineering tasks on an as needed basis. This can include participating in scheduled work, authoring Work Orders/Instructions, and reviewing papers for engineers.Manages staff training program requirements, provides verification of personnel readiness for operation.Provides recommendations to ensure staffing plans and development are aligned with the organization’s operational commitments and strategic plan.Coaches, supports, and motivates a high performing team.Establishes and executes all operation plans including material, manufacturing, integration and test activities both internally and in collaboration with external departments/groups.Reviews and coordinates technical support to disposition constraints to near term and long-range program milestones in accordance with the operational constraints document/directive(s).Collaborates with others to improve processes, tools, documentation and management techniques to maximize engineering process execution excellence and quality.Collaborates with design engineering to resolve technical issues related to MARS operations and maintenance.Manages resources to effectively meet organizational goals and customer requirements as required.Supports mission management functions including direct customer interface & represents VSA/MARS, presenting deliverables at program technical reviews, proposal reviews, or other technical meetings. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this title. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified. They are not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of supervisors to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision. EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS General Education College: Bachelor's Degree preferred or 10 years of related experience with at least 5 years working as an engineer supporting design changes, document authoring, non-conformance resolution. Major: Engineering or Science Job-Related Experience: 5 years directly related to operations and maintenance of aerospace, chemical processing, pressure systems, or similar operations environment. Advanced degree in engineering desired. A minimum of 5years of direct, practical work experience with space launch systems. Experience in a supervisory/managerial role of an engineering staff is desired. Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is strongly preferred. Licenses, etc.: Must possess a valid driver’s license. Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. They must have field experience in the operations and maintenance of aerospace systems; experience with cryogenic and pneumatic systems as well as launch pad experience is preferred. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Position requires a strong technically orientated operations management background with a focus on pace launch ground systems with directly related work experience. Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills for the resolution of operational anomalies. Must have or have ability to develop understanding of launch range command, control, and communications systems and their interface with the launch pad. Must have or have ability to develop understanding of space launch pad fluid, high pressure gas, hydraulic, electrical and control, safety, and structural systems.While required work travel is rare, must be able to travel in support of launch activities.Must be able to maintain mental clarity and efficiency in work in a stressful operational environment.Must be able to work well with demanding customers to deliver confidence in ability and promote long-term business relationships.Must be able to understand, follow, and promote OSHA safety guidelines in the workplace.A 90-day probationary period is required of all newly hired and re-hired employees. Must be able to maintain secured access to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport and supporting facilities. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding engineering disciplines and industry practices as applied to the operation of technical facilities. Familiar with design, construction, activation, operation, and decommissioning of complex systems. Understand operational support functions such as logistics, procurement, contracts, equipment maintenance, quality assurance-related process control systems, safety programs related to industrial operations, and environmental regulations as applied to support functions. Interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Interprets drawings, specifications, blueprints, schematics, diagrams and sketches.Skills Proficient with Microsoft Office or related programsEffective verbal and written communication skillsOrganization and attention to detailSharePoint experience preferred.Abilities Read, analyze and interpret complex documentsRespond Effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaintsPrepare technical presentations as either an informative lesson for department and broader company or for pitching technical system/configuration changes to those who have decision making authority.Work with and apply mathematical concepts, such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situationsDefine problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions that facilitate efficient disposition and documentationAbility to work with employees at all levels of the organizationAbility to provide the highest level of customer service to both internal and external customersAbility to communicate complex information to non-technical individuals in a more accessible way. Competencies: LeadershipProblem Solving Project ManagementAdaptabilityResponsibilityCreativityAnalytical SkillsCritical ThinkingEmotional IntelligenceCultural Awareness and CommunicationThe demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In certain situations, employee may be asked to respond to emergencies, during work hours or outside of work hours, based on the needs of the Authority. Physical Demands: Regularly required to sit. use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel and talk or hear. Frequently required to reach with hands and arms. Occasionally required to stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawlThe employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 40 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Mental/Sensory: Conveys information and ideas clearly, both orally and in written English. Anticipates, prevents, identifies, and solves problems in the workplace. Assimilates complex information. Listens to, comprehends, and clarifies concerns and issues raised by colleagues and clients. Emergency situations may present unpredictable scenarios, not anticipated this job description.Emotional: Works well in stressful, high-pressure work environment. Maintains composure and objectivity. Is respectful. Works with diverse personalities and levels. Exercises a high degree of discretion when handling confidential data, documents, correspondences, and other information. Handles multiple priorities and adapts to frequent change. Work Environment: The employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. The employee is frequently exposed to risk of radiation and vibration. Work environment involves significant risks with exposure to potentially dangerous or extremely adverse conditions which require a range of safety and other precautions, e.g. fieldwork on launch pads, near high pressure and cryogenic systems, near extremely energetic materials. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, outdoor weather conditions. extreme cold (non-weather) and extreme heat (non-weather). The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Must be able to obtain and maintain eligibility for issuance of a NASA credential. Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check and drug test. PI46422af643d6-25448-40014530

Keywords: Virginia Commercial Space, Suffolk , Operations and Maintenance Supervisor, Energy / Utilities , Wattsville, Virginia