Lead Maintenance Mechanic - Promotional

Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; we embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals:

• Advance Airport Development
• Transform the Customer Experience
• Optimize Ongoing Business
• Cultivate Our Culture

Here, culture starts with each of us. Our workplace is shaped by mindsets that guide how we show up for one another: believing the best in people, collaboration, empathy, listening, and thoughtful decision-making. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way, we invite you to apply today and help us connect our community to the world.

At SAN, we take pride in fostering employee growth and development. This position is exclusively available to current SDCRAA employees, reflecting our commitment to internal advancement, all other applications will not be considered. 

Why You'll Love Working at SAN:

• Location:  Facilities Management Department (FMD) Administration Building, located on San Diego International Airport campus’s north end and sits adjacent to the rental car facility, providing one-of-a-kind views of our runway, along with several outdoor terraces and courtyards for employees to engage with nature. 
• Salary: The hiring salary for Lead Maintenance Mechanic is starting at $39.86. The full pay range for Lead Maintenance Mechanic is $39.86 - $53.95. 
• Benefits: You will enjoy 14 paid holidays, 18 – 33 days of vacation (PTO), parental and child care benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, tuition reimbursement, ensure your future with our retirement plan options including our comprehensive pension plan and 457 defined contribution plan. Plus, take advantage of our annual employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account, designed to support your personal development and growth activities—and much more!
• Wellness: Take advantage of multiple on-site gyms with regular fitness classes, outdoor working areas, fitness discounts for all levels and goals, monthly fruit deliveries, rewards for volunteer time, financial wellness advisors, and a campus with easy access to some of San Diego's best walking trails.
• Application Deadline: March 23, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date.

About the Job:

The Facilities Management department is looking for a Lead Maintenance Mechanic to supervise and support a team of Maintenance Mechanics and other staff responsible for the design, fabrication, installation, maintenance, and repair of tools, machinery, metal structures, vehicles, and facilities. This role combines advanced journey-level mechanical and welding expertise with hands-on leadership to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with plans, specifications, and regulations. 

The position plans and coordinates maintenance and fabrication projects, assigns and reviews work orders, and determines the materials, equipment, and personnel required to complete tasks. The Lead Maintenance Mechanic also supports the development and implementation of preventive and predictive maintenance programs, inspects work activities, and ensures adherence to safety standards and operational procedures. 

In addition to technical oversight, this role provides leadership through staff supervision, training, performance evaluation, and coaching. The position collaborates with internal departments, contractors, and external partners, responds to operational or emergency situations, and assists with budgeting, purchasing, recordkeeping, and reporting. Strong independent judgment, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and efficiency are essential for success in this role. 

What You’ll Do:

• Maintenance Supervision: Supervises and coordinates maintenance staff and contractors performing fabrication, welding, installation, and repair of metal structures, vehicles, and facilities while ensuring compliance with safety standards and project specifications. 
• Work Order Management: Plans and manages maintenance activities and work orders, determining material, equipment, and personnel requirements and supporting preventive and predictive maintenance programs. 
• Team Leadership: Leads and develops team members by assigning work, evaluating performance, providing coaching and technical training, and promoting safe work practices. 
• Operations Administration: Supports operational planning and administration by managing records, budgets, purchasing, and project costs while coordinating with internal departments and responding to operational or emergency needs. 
• Operational Driving: Operate and drive Authority vehicles to complete maintenance repairs throughout the campus.  

The Skills You Need:

1. Leadership & Influencing Skills – Engages and motivates individuals and teams to deliver results by defining work objectives, setting expectations, and recognizing achievements; ensures high productivity and commitment of team members by maintaining effective communication and relationships. 
2. Change Management - Identifies and implements available tools, techniques, and behaviors necessary to support change efforts that require the adoption and realization of change to achieve business outcomes and initiatives; adapts to evolving situations and effectively addresses resistances and concerns.  
3. Project Management – Accurately assesses project scope, budget, and timeline by determining required process steps and resources needed to achieve defined outcomes and objectives; monitors and verifies task completion and resolves coordination issues to assure efficient, timely completion. 
4. Relationship & Interpersonal Skills – Cultivates interpersonal rapport and trust, both up and down, by exhibiting consistency and reliability; demonstrated awareness of others’ needs, listens for issues or conflicts and coaches’ others to relevant and meaningful solutions. 
5. Influence – Communicates and writes proficiently to gain others’ support for ideas, proposals, projects, and solutions; articulates clear rationale in discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of various options, is assertive while exhibiting flexibility.   
6. Integrity - Exercises diplomacy and discretion in dealing with highly sensitive, complex, and confidential issues and situations. 
7. Leveraging Technology - Effectively uses and generates information electronically integrates technology solutions and systems. 

The Experience You Need to Have**:

• Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent;  
• Four years of journey-level welding, metal fabrication and machine shop experience. 

Licenses, Certificates, and Special Requirements :

• Maintain a valid driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Authority’s vehicle insurance policy. 
• An Authority approved welding certificate must be obtained within the first 6 months of employment and maintained at all times thereafter. 
• Successful completion of a fingerprint-based background investigation, training, and testing required for employment and operation and of Authority and San Diego County physical security, surveillance, radio and telecommunications equipment.

*Driving is an Essential Function

This role requires regular driving as a critical part of performing work-related duties, specifically involving the operation of Airport Authority vehicles. A valid California driver’s license is required, along with strict adherence to all traffic laws and safety regulations. Applicants must maintain an acceptable driving record to operate Authority vehicles. Compliance with Airport Authority vehicle use policies, including safety protocols and reporting requirements, is mandatory. Applicants must acknowledge that driving Airport Authority vehicles is an essential function of this role. 

**Don’t meet every requirement? That’s okay. At San Diego International Airport, we value your unique experience and your willingness to learn. Some roles require specific qualifications or degrees, but others don’t—and we're always open to individuals committed to growth and excellence. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply. And if it’s not the right fit, we’ll keep you in mind for future opportunities. We may have the perfect spot for you to land.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Physical & Mental Demands

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter).

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law.