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Job Summary: Shop Lead/Foreman (GSE Technician IV)
Akima, LLC, through its subsidiary Pegasus Aviation Services, is hiring a Shop Lead/Foreman (GSE Technician IV) to oversee ground support equipment (GSE) maintenance at the Anchorage airport. This is a high-level technical and supervisory role responsible for managing maintenance programs for a diverse fleet of motorized and non-motorized equipment, including both gasoline and diesel systems. As a Lead, you will bridge the gap between hands-on repair and operational management, coordinating the activities of Tech I, II, and III mechanics while ensuring all aircraft ground support meets strict safety and reliability standards.
Key Responsibilities
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Operational Oversight: Lead safe and efficient GSE repair operations; coordinate maintenance activities across shifts for junior technicians.
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Technical Expertise: Troubleshoot, repair, and overhaul power-plants, drive-trains, and complex electric/hydraulic systems; read and interpret technical schematics.
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Reliability Management: Use performance tracking systems to identify trends and proactively address equipment reliability through predictive maintenance.
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Emergency Response: Coordinate and assist with emergency repair calls during active shifts to minimize operational disruptions.
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Specialized Airport Duties: Operate aircraft de-icing equipment and lead the team during de-icing events, often in high-pressure, time-constrained situations.
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Compliance & Safety: Ensure the team maintains accurate data entry for all work completed and strictly adheres to safe ground handling procedures.
Required Qualifications & Skills
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Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial maintenance; specific experience with automotive and diesel systems is required.
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Leadership: Proven ability to supervise and coordinate the work of other technicians in a fast-paced environment.
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Physical Capability: Ability to lift 60 pounds comfortably and occasionally move up to 70-100 pounds with assistance.
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Technical Literacy: Proficient in reading and interpreting safety rules, maintenance instructions, and complex electrical/hydraulic diagrams.
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Driver’s License: Must possess a valid driver’s license.
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Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen or show proof of right to work in the U.S.
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Background: Must successfully complete a background investigation, including FBI fingerprints and a pre-employment drug test.
Compensation & Total Rewards
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Hourly Pay: Well-qualified candidates earn up to $40.00 per hour. Lead-specific pay is determined based on experience (DOE).
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Sign-On Bonus: Qualified candidates may be eligible for a sign-on bonus of up to $3,000.
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Health & Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, including optional critical illness and hospital indemnity insurance.
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Financial Security: 401(k) plan with company matching, basic and voluntary life insurance, and AD&D coverage.
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Perks: Access to the NASA Federal Credit Union, commuter benefits, nationwide pet insurance, and various employee discounts (AT&T, Dell, Microsoft, etc.).
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Development: Tuition, training, and certification reimbursement programs are available to support professional growth.
About the Company: Akima (Pegasus Aviation Services)
Akima is an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC) owned by more than 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders.
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Mission-Driven: Your work directly supports the Iñupiat people of northwest Alaska, contributing to the survival of a culture that has thrived for over 10,000 years.
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Values: The company operates on the core Iñupiat values of honesty, integrity, and treating everyone with dignity and respect.
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Global Reach: While rooted in Alaska, Akima is a major federal contractor, ranking #31 on the 2025 Washington Technology Top 100 list.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
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Environment: This is an on-site role at the Anchorage airport. You will be exposed to all types of Alaskan weather, including extreme cold, snow, and wind.
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Schedule: As the airport never sleeps, you must be willing to work nights, weekends, holidays, and varying schedules.
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Noise: Work areas can have high noise levels; hearing protection is provided and required.
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Travel: Some roles may require travel up to 25% of the time to other Pegasus locations (such as Fairbanks, Juneau, or Honolulu).
Interview Preparation Insights
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Leadership Style: Be prepared to discuss how you manage a team under “stressful situations and tight time constraints,” specifically during winter weather events.
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Technical Deep-Dive: You may be asked to explain your troubleshooting process for a complex hydraulic failure on a piece of critical GSE equipment.
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Reliability Mindset: Focus on your experience with “predictive maintenance”—how you use data or observation to fix equipment before it breaks during a flight departure.
Category Details & Specifications Employer Pegasus Aviation Services (An Akima Company) Location Anchorage, AK (Airport Equipment Shop) Pay Rate Up to $40.00 / hour (Lead pay DOE) Experience 5 Years in Industrial Maintenance Company Type Alaska Native Corporation (ANC)
Operational Leadership & GSE Maintenance
As a GSE Technician IV, you serve as the tactical lead for the airport’s Ground Support Equipment (GSE) fleet. This role balances high-level coordination of junior technicians with hands-on repair of complex aviation machinery.
Functional Area Actionable Tasks Shift Leadership Coordinating Tech 1, 2, and 3 activities; overseeing safe shop operations. Technical Execution Overhauling power-trains, drive-trains, and hydraulic systems on gas/diesel equipment. Systems Literacy Reading and interpreting complex electrical and hydraulic schematics. Reliability Tracking Using data systems to trend equipment performance and improve predictive maintenance. Winter Ops Operating aircraft de-icing equipment and participating in active de-icing events.
Mandatory Qualifications & Physical Standards
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Age/Citizenship: Minimum 18 years old; U.S. Citizen or proof of right to work.
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Credentials: Valid Driver’s License; High School Diploma or GED.
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Technical Background: 5 years of industrial maintenance experience (Automotive/Diesel preferred).
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Physicality: Ability to lift 60 lbs comfortably (occasionally up to 100 lbs with help).
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Compliance: Must pass an FBI fingerprint background check, criminal history review, and drug test.
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Flexibility: Must work nights, weekends, and holidays in inclement weather.
The Akima Advantage: Working for an ANC
Pegasus is a subsidiary of Akima, an Alaska Native Corporation owned by 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders.
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Mission-Driven: Profits support the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for 10,000 years.
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Stability: Federal project backing provides consistent work and excellent retirement options.
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Growth: Opportunity to move from lead roles into GSE Management or specialized reliability engineering.
Comparison: Anchorage Aviation & Industrial Roles
Metric Pegasus GSE Lead Horizon First Officer Surepoint Instrument Tech Primary Skill Diesel / Hydraulics Flight Operations Electronic Calibration Hourly Pay ~$40.00 $92.72 (Flight Hour) Competitive / Contract Environment Airport Ramp / Shop Cockpit / Travel Industrial / Remote Key Metric Equipment Reliability Flight Safety Loop Accuracy Entry Bonus N/A (Competitive Base) Longevity Match ESOP Ownership -
To apply for this job please visit www.akima.com.