Dillon James Cleavelin
Flower Mound,TX
Summary
Professional aviation technician with solid background in maintaining and repairing complex systems. Proven ability to enhance equipment reliability while working collaboratively within teams to meet dynamic operational demands. Renowned for adaptability and consistent delivery of high-quality results under varying conditions.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
UAV Maintenance Technician
Zipline, International Drone Delivery
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
07.2025 - Current
- Performed scheduled and corrective maintenance on autonomous fixed-wing and multi-rotor delivery drones, ensuring fleet airworthiness and mission readiness across high-volume operations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
- Selected for a 3-month voluntary assignment (1/2026-3/2026) supporting development of a new autonomous drone testing site in the Cascade Range, Oregon.
- Troubleshooting and diagnosing electrical, mechanical, propulsion, and avionics system faults using diagnostic software, multimeters, calipers, borescopes, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
- Utilized LINUX and Fleet Wrangler to execute firmware updates, software patches, and system configuration changes for autonomous aircraft and ground control stations.
- Replaced and tested critical drone components including motors, Power Distribution Boards (PDB), Flight Compute Assemblies (FCA), servos, batteries, propellers, antennas, and Data Log systems.
- Documented maintenance actions, repair histories, inspection findings, and component tracking within digital maintenance management systems.
- Collaborated with software engineers, flight operators, and logistics teams to troubleshoot recurring technical issues and improve fleet reliability.
- Supported rapid turnaround maintenance in fast-paced operational environments, minimizing aircraft downtime and maintaining on-time delivery performance targets.
- Ensured company compliance with FAA standards, aviation safety procedures, training, and regulatory documentation requirements during all maintenance activities.
Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor
American Airlines - DFW International Airport
DFW, TX
01.2024 - 05.2025
- Supervised aircraft maintenance technicians in the repair and return to service of American Airlines' aircraft.
- Qualified to work and signoff on American Airline fleet types – Airbus A319-100, A320-200, A321-200, A321neo.
- Boeing 737-800, 737 MAX 8, 777-200ER/300ER, 787-8/9.
- Managed workload, resources, and work relationships with internal customers, support groups, and external regulatory authorities.
- Collaborated with engineering teams to implement modifications and upgrades to enhance aircraft performance.
- Maintained accurate maintenance records and documentation in compliance with Air Force regulations.
- Ensured compliance with company policies, procedures, and safety standards.
- Conducted regular meetings to communicate objectives, review performance, and address any issues.
- Identified training and development needs for maintenance staff and provided effective coaching and feedback.
- Collaborated with airport management, FAA, TSA, and other government agencies to maintain effective work relationships.
Lead Welder
Custom Racks, LLC
Euless, TX
07.2021 - 01.2022
- Studied blueprints, sketches, and specifications, calculated dimensions to be welded and inspected materials or structures to be welded.
- Produced various forms of jig riggings for manufacturing industrial products.
- Worked with GTAW (TIG) and GMAW welding machine tools while monitoring the welding process and heading a team of welders on specific projects.
Mosquito and Vector Control Inspector
West Valley District
Ontario, CA
05.2020 - 11.2020
- Conducted vector surveillance, control operations, and public education.
- Temporary position during COVID season.
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
United States Air Force
Wrightstown, NJ
10.2012 - 11.2018
- Conducted routine and unscheduled maintenance on various aircraft systems, including airframes and engines on the KC-10 Extender.
- Performed detailed inspections to identify and rectify mechanical issues, ensuring aircraft readiness for missions.
- Utilized technical manuals and schematics to troubleshoot and repair complex aircraft systems.
- Monitored and coordinated flight line activity as Maintenance Operations Control, or MOC Senior Controller, for the final two years of my enlistment.
Education
FAA Part 107
UAV Drone Operator
05-2025
Airframe And Powerplant - Aviation Maintenance
Aviation Institute of Maintenance
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX01-2023
GTAW / SMAW - Dual-Weld Certification
Welding Certification Center
Pomona, CA06-2021
Welding
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, CA01-2020
Technical Military Training
Airforce: Aerospace Technical School
Wichita Falls, TX02-2013
High School Diploma -
Lubbock High School
Lubbock, TX01-2012
Skills
- Aircraft Maintenance and Repair
- Linux
- Fleet Wrangler
- FAA regulatory compliance and safety standards
- Mechanical / Electrical troubleshooting
- Lockout / Tagout procedures (LOTO)
- Interpreting engineering schematics and blueprints
- Welding - GTAW/SMAW
- Team leadership and supervision
- Training and development
- Military Maintenance Standards
- Familiarity with Maintenance Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- Effective prioritization
Aircraft Maintenance experience
- Zipline P2 UAV/Dock
- KC-10 Extender
- Cessna 150
- Cessna 152
- Robinson R22
- A319
- A320
- A321
- 737
- 777
- 787
Timeline
UAV Maintenance Technician
Zipline, International Drone Delivery
07.2025 - Current
Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor
American Airlines - DFW International Airport
01.2024 - 05.2025
Lead Welder
Custom Racks, LLC
07.2021 - 01.2022
Mosquito and Vector Control Inspector
West Valley District
05.2020 - 11.2020
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
United States Air Force
10.2012 - 11.2018
FAA Part 107
UAV Drone Operator
Airframe And Powerplant - Aviation Maintenance
Aviation Institute of Maintenance
GTAW / SMAW - Dual-Weld Certification
Welding Certification Center
Welding
Mt. San Antonio College
Technical Military Training
Airforce: Aerospace Technical School
High School Diploma -
Lubbock High School