David Soltis
Edwards,CA
Summary
Production professional with proven background in optimizing manufacturing operations and improving productivity. Known for strong team collaboration, adaptability, and delivering results under changing conditions. Possesses key skills in process improvement and team leadership.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Unit Deployment Manager
United States Air Force, USAF
02.2024 - Current
- Implemented innovative solutions leading to reduced costs without sacrificing quality or effectiveness of deployed forces.
- Developed comprehensive risk assessments prior to each deployment, enhancing overall safety measures during missions.
- Conducted thorough pre-deployment briefings to ensure all personnel were fully informed of mission objectives and requirements.
- Streamlined the deployment process for improved timeliness, reducing preparation time significantly.
- Reduced collation of information from running 13 reports taking 3 hours, to 1 report within 15 minutes.
Production Superintendent
USAF
08.2023 - 01.2024
- Managed operations and maintenance across 7 departments with 90 personnel, coordinating 19 specialized trades to complete 1,000+ maintenance actions supporting 241 test programs for $15 billion in aircraft assets.
- Devised Lockheed's 1st weapons bay repair strategy. Led 3-NCO pipe repair team, slashed 48 hr job by 50%, boosted MC rate 2%, & guaranteed generation of F-35's last "Medium Risk" on-board Oxygen Generation System test flight.
- Led cross-functional engineering collaboration to identify and resolve systemic hardware flaws in B-1 aircraft fuel systems, co-developed retrofit solutions for fleet-wide implementation, and eliminated recurring maintenance issues.
- Negotiated strategic partnership with Navy contractors to secure specialized electronic warfare equipment, enabling completion of critical radar and fire control testing milestones for F-22 program.
Aircraft Structural Maintenance Team Supervisor
USAF
08.2018 - 07.2023
- Supervised 21 technical personnel in structures department, overseeing 325 maintenance actions and coordinating 18 engineering requests and 52 major repairs that supported 4,200 flight operations and saved $1.1 million in assets.
- Designed and implemented emergency aircraft repair solution for F-16 structural damage, securing engineering approval within 8 hours and enabling 7 critical safety system test flights.
- Resolved training deficiencies by collaborating with external facilities to qualify 6 personnel on specialized equipment, enabling successful completion of 4 ballistic missile test missions.
- Managed complex aircraft damage repair project involving installation of 1,100+ fasteners, avoiding $150,000 in contractor costs and ensuring completion of 6 scheduled test flights.
Aircraft Structural Maintenance Craftsman
USAF
12.2017 - 07.2018
- Guaranteed customer satisfaction by addressing concerns promptly and providing expert guidance on aircraft structural maintenance matters when needed.
- Analyzed 87 technical blueprints covering 2,200 components for F-15 fuel tank development project, validated field-level manufacturing requirements, and reduced outsourcing costs by $400,000 while accelerating delivery by 2 months.
- Contributed 50 hours to STEM education initiatives, mentoring 12 high school students toward professional certifications and supporting department recognition for educational outreach excellence.
Verification Manager
USAF
11.2009 - 11.2017
- Led comprehensive verification processes for Global Hawk technical orders, ensuring 100% compliance with Air Force standards and maintaining airworthiness certification for critical unmanned aircraft systems operations
- Managed cross-functional verification teams to review and validate technical documentation updates, reducing processing time by 30% while maintaining zero-defect accuracy standards for mission-critical procedures
- Coordinated with engineers, maintainers, and subject matter experts to verify technical order accuracy and completeness, directly supporting fleet readiness and operational capability for high-value intelligence assets
- Developed and implemented quality assurance protocols for technical order verification workflows, establishing standardized procedures that improved document accuracy and reduced revision cycles by 25%
Education
Bachelor of Science - Cyber Security
Waldorf University
Forest City, IA12-2025
Associate of Arts - Aircraft Structural Maintenance
Community College of The Air Force
Montgomery, ALSkills
- Security clearance
- Operational planning
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Personnel management
- Continuous improvement
- Interpersonal communication
- Crisis management
- Organizational skills
Timeline
Unit Deployment Manager
United States Air Force, USAF
02.2024 - Current
Production Superintendent
USAF
08.2023 - 01.2024
Aircraft Structural Maintenance Team Supervisor
USAF
08.2018 - 07.2023
Aircraft Structural Maintenance Craftsman
USAF
12.2017 - 07.2018
Verification Manager
USAF
11.2009 - 11.2017
Bachelor of Science - Cyber Security
Waldorf University
Associate of Arts - Aircraft Structural Maintenance
Community College of The Air Force
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