**Title:** F-16 Machinist Lead **Location:** Iraq-Balad **Job Number:** 16559 ****PENDING CONTRACT AWARD**** **Summary** The F-16 Machinist Lead is responsible for overseeing and performing precision machining operations on F-16 aircraft components to support maintenance, repair, and modifications. This role requires extensive knowledge of machining techniques, materials, and F-16 specifications to ensure all work adheres to military standards. The Machinist Lead directs a team of machinists, coordinating tasks, providing training, and ensuring quality control. **Essential Duties and Responsibilities** + Supervise a team of machinists, assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and ensuring compliance with F-16 technical specifications and safety standards. + Perform precision machining operations on F-16 aircraft components, including cutting, milling, grinding, and shaping parts from metals and composites. + Oversee setup and operation of CNC machines and manual tools, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to technical manuals and engineering drawings. + Inspect and verify finished parts meet quality standards and exact specifications, using precision measuring tools such as calipers, micrometers, and coordinate measuring machines (CMM). + Collaborate with engineers, technicians, and maintenance teams to troubleshoot and resolve complex machining issues. + Manage production schedules, ensuring timely completion of parts and repairs to support F-16 maintenance timelines. + Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and training to junior machinists to improve skills and knowledge of F-16 machining processes. + Maintain and monitor inventory of machining materials, tools, and equipment, coordinating with supply chain teams to restock as needed. + Implement and uphold safety procedures and protocols, maintaining a clean and organized work environment. + Document machining processes, modifications, and repairs, ensuring records are accurate and accessible for future reference. + All other duties as assigned. Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. + Must be able to obtain and maintain a US Secret security clearance. + In order to obtain a secret clearance, qualified candidates must have US Citizenship. + Ability to pass physical screening requirements **Education and/or Experience** + High school diploma or equivalent; a technical degree or certification in machining or a related field is preferred. + Minimum of 5 years of experience in precision machining, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role; experience with F-16 or military aircraft components is highly desirable. + Expertise in operating CNC machines, lathes, mills, and other machining tools for metal and composite materials. + Proficiency in reading and interpreting technical drawings, engineering schematics, and F-16 technical manuals. + Strong knowledge of F-16 aircraft specifications, materials, and military machining standards. + Demonstrated experience with precision measuring tools and quality control procedures. + Excellent organizational and leadership skills, with the ability to manage and develop a team. + Knowledge of safety standards and best practices in a machining or aircraft maintenance environment. + USAF 7 level in aircraft maintenance **Work Conditions** Position is located OCONUS and in an austere environment; work is being performed on the flight line, limited hangar or aviation field environment. **Physical Requirements** + Must be able to lift and parts, tooling and other awkward items sometimes weighing greater than 50 lbs, including up and down stairs. + Requires intermittent standing, walking, sitting, squatting, stretching, and bending throughout the workday. + Must be able to see and hear, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met. **Compensation and Benefits:** + Competitive compensation package. + 90/30 Rotation + Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage. + 401(k) retirement plan with company match. + Professional development and career advancement opportunities \#LI-PI1 #LI-ONSITE AAR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.