DOD Skillbridge Production Supervisor

About Us:

ST Engineering MRAS is a world-leading manufacturer of complex aerostructures including nacelle systems and specialized structural components of the airframe. It supplies and supports these products for engine makers, airplane manufacturers and aircraft operators. Located on Maryland's Chesapeake Bay near Baltimore, MRAS has a 1.4-million sq. ft. facility situated on 180 acres – where the company and its predecessors have designed, built, and equipped civil and military aircraft for over 95 years. In addition to MRAS' design, development and manufacturing capabilities, the company provides technical support, spares, and other services for its products. 

SkillBridge Supervisor – Composite Bonding & Thrust Reverser Operations

Job Description

Location: ST Engineering MRAS – Middle River, Maryland
Program: DoD SkillBridge Supervisor Training Program
Focus Areas: Composite Bonding & Thrust Reverser Assembly
Reports To: Production Manager / Operations Leadership

Position Introduction:

Launch your leadership journey as a SkillBridge Supervisor with ST Engineering MRAS! This exciting 12-week developmental opportunity allows transitioning service members to gain hands-on leadership experience in aviation manufacturing while mentoring fellow service members and supporting production teams in composite bonding and thrust reverser assembly. You’ll build skills in technical oversight, workforce leadership, and operational excellence while ensuring work meets OEM, regulatory, and MRAS quality and safety standards—preparing you for a successful career in aerospace manufacturing.

Position Overview

The SkillBridge Supervisor is a developmental leadership role designed to onboard, mentor, and supervise transitioning service members entering the aviation manufacturing environment at ST Engineering MRAS. This supervisor will support production teams specializing in composite bonding and thrust reverser assembly, ensuring adherence to OEM specifications, regulatory requirements, and MRAS quality and safety standards. Over the 12-week SkillBridge period, the supervisor will gain technical oversight capabilities, workforce management skills, and operational fluency within MRAS facilities.

Primary Responsibilities

Orientation & Organizational Alignment (Weeks 1–2)

• Gain foundational knowledge of MRAS history, culture, and nacelle/thrust reverser product lines.
• Understand MRAS organizational structure across engineering, production, and MRO segments.
• Conduct facility walk-throughs to identify composite labs, autoclave bonding stations, and thrust reverser assembly bays.
• Learn and enforce FAA/EASA Part 145 regulatory compliance, fall protection rules, tool control expectations, and safety protocols.
• Review HR policies and supervisor responsibilities, including team management, performance documentation, and operational compliance.
• Assess intern and technician strengths to align talent with bonding or thrust reverser pathways.

Technical Foundations (Week 3)

• Interpret and apply MRAS Quality Assurance Manuals, inspection procedures, and documentation requirements.
• Ensure proper material traceability, documentation integrity, and regulatory adherence.
• Oversee tool audits, material handling processes, and controlled-area usage.
• Validate technician completion of safety certifications and equipment training.
• Become familiar with program-specific platforms such as CF6-80C2/E1, LEAP-1A, and GEnx systems.

Composite Bonding Leadership (Weeks 4–7)

Technical Oversight

• Supervise vacuum bagging, cure cycles, and autoclave processes.
• Identify composite defects such as delamination, porosity, and nonconformance.
• Ensure accurate blueprint reading and GD&T compliance.
• Guide adhesive application, surface prep, corrosion prevention methods, and repair techniques.
• Ensure all composite work adheres to OEM repair manuals and FAA standards.

Supervisory Duties

• Assign daily tasks based on technician skill level and workflow priorities.
• Conduct in-process inspections and ensure alignment with bonding standards.
• Enforce chemical handling procedures, PPE requirements, and safe work zones.
• Provide performance coaching, on-the-job instruction, and corrective feedback.
• Validate documentation accuracy related to operations, rework, inspection findings, and defect tracking.
• Coordinate with engineering and quality teams to resolve bonding-related issues.

Thrust Reverser Assembly Leadership (Weeks 8–11)

Technical Oversight

• Gain component-level familiarity with CF6, LEAP, and GEnx thrust reverser systems.
• Supervise installation, torque application, fastener verification, and mechanical operations.
• Coordinate wiring/actuation integration and interpret technical drawings.
• Lead emergency response drills related to thrust reverser deployment failures.
• Conduct quality checks, final fit inspections, and regulatory documentation reviews.

Supervisory Duties

• Manage assembly line workflow and ensure timely production execution.
• Coach team members on torque standards, system integration, and troubleshooting techniques.
• Enforce lockout/tagout procedures and equipment handling practices.
• Elevate unresolved issues to engineering and participate in technical decision cycles.
• Lead final inspection readiness and coordinate cross-functional support with logistics, planning, and customer support.

Training & Evaluation (Week 12)

• Assign final technical tasks for SkillBridge interns to demonstrate operational readiness.
• Conduct performance reviews evaluating safety, technical proficiency, quality, and teamwork.
• Participate in employment transition discussions and full-time placement recommendations.

Daily Operational Rhythm

Minimum Qualifications

• Transitioning military service member eligible for DoD SkillBridge
• Mechanical, aviation, or aerospace maintenance experience preferred
• Familiarity with technical publications, safety programs, and maintenance documentation
• Strong leadership, communication, and mentoring abilities

Program Outcome

Upon successful completion, the SkillBridge Supervisor may transition into a full-time leadership position supporting production, composite bonding, or thrust reverser assembly operations at ST Engineering MRAS.

It takes diverse talent to solve real-world problems.  ST Engineering is deeply committed to building a workplace community where inclusion is valued, and everyone feels welcomed.  We’re proud to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status, or any other legally protected grounds. So, bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It’s through our differences that innovative changes are made.

ST Engineering is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. To request an accommodation, please contact our Talent Strategies team at 571-771-0101, or by email at stena.careers@stengg.us.