Flight Test Maintenance Manager

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (DHC) is a storied name in the aerospace industry, recognized worldwide for its pioneering contributions to aviation and its unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and reliability. Headquartered in Calgary, AB, DHC currently has approximately 1,400 employees across British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, as well as in markets and distribution hubs world-wide.
Established in 1928, De Havilland Canada has a rich history marked by the development of some of the most iconic and versatile aircraft ever built. These aircraft have served a variety of roles—from bush flying to commercial aviation—and are celebrated for their rugged durability, operational versatility, and excellence in performance.
Over the decades, De Havilland Canada has evolved to meet the changing needs of the aviation industry. Today, we are more than just an aircraft manufacturer; we are a comprehensive aerospace company with capabilities that span design, production, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. Our operations are supported by a team of skilled engineers, technicians, and industry professionals who are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of craftsmanship and innovation.
The Flight Test Maintenance Manager is responsible for the operational leadership, technical oversight, and process development of all maintenance, modification and developmental activities supporting De Havilland’s Flight Test Vehicle (FTV) program. Based in Calgary, this position leads multidisciplinary teams supporting Dash 8 Classics, Q400s, CL-series Water Bombers, Twin Otters, and Sherpa aircraft, both onsite and at remote flight test locations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage all flight test maintenance activities for De Havilland FTVs, ensuring safety, compliance, and operational readiness.
- Develop, document, and build standardized processes and procedures to support consistent flight test maintenance practices across programs.
- Coordinate closely with Flight Test Engineering, Flight Operations, and Quality Assurance to maintain aircraft configuration and test readiness.
- Oversee scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, modifications, and instrumentation support for flight test programs.
- Plan and direct offsite flight test maintenance operations, including manpower, tooling, and logistics.
- Troubleshoot technical issues arising during development and certification testing; coordinate engineering support and corrective actions.
- Ensure compliance with CAR 573 AMO requirements, Transport Canada regulations, and internal company policies.
- Foster and maintain a proactive Safety Management System (SMS) culture through reporting, analysis, and risk mitigation.
- Supervise, mentor, and develop AMEs and support staff assigned to flight test operations.
- Act as the primary maintenance liaison to the Person Responsible for Maintenance (PRM) and key stakeholders.
- Responsible for maintenance within the 604 operation

Additional Accountabilities
- Lead daily coordination meetings with engineering, production, and flight test teams.
- Build and refine maintenance processes to improve efficiency, documentation accuracy, and communication flow.
- Support configuration control, flight readiness reviews, and airworthiness documentation.
- Participate in Transport Canada, internal QA, and customer audits and respond to findings.
- Drive continuous improvement in flight test maintenance practices, reliability, and turnaround time.
- Provide input into strategic planning, infrastructure development, and future flight test capability expansion.

Qualifications and Experience
- Valid Transport Canada AME License (M2 preferred) or equivalent technical qualification.
- Minimum 15 years of aircraft maintenance experience, including 5 years in leadership roles within an AMO or flight test environment.
- Proven flight test experience (development, certification, or experimental aircraft) is essential.
- Strong knowledge of one or more of the following Dash 8 Classics / Q400, CL-215/415, Twin Otter, and Sherpa aircraft.
- Demonstrated experience in process development, documentation, and improvement within maintenance or test programs.
- In-depth understanding of Transport Canada CARs, airworthiness control, and SMS principles.
- Proficiency with MRO/ERP systems, planning tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to work flexibly in dynamic test environments and travel for offsite support as required.

Personal Attributes
- Confident, accountable leader with high technical and professional integrity.
- Process-oriented thinker who takes initiative to build and improve systems.
- Strong communication with proven team-building and mentoring skills.
- Analytical, detail-focused, and calm under pressure in complex test operations.
- Committed to safety, compliance, and delivering operational excellence.

Why work at De Havilland?
De Havilland Canada is a Canadian-owned and operated aircraft manufacturer d