Craig Darby

Experience

• 

  Defence Materiel Organisation

  Sept 2002 - Dec 2003

  Minor Project Manager

  • Led and managed multiple Minor Projects to replace or improve capability of the FA-18 Hornet• Scoped and developed project startup documentation, financial plans, procurement approach and in service support plans. • Established equipment support contracts • Managed project budgets, procurement of equipment, logistic support contracts and project related services. • Managed manufacturing of components and aircraft installation phases• Scoped and developed analysis papers and delivered briefs to senior executives on future capabilities Show less

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  Royal Australian Air Force

  Jan 2004 - Oct 2012

  • Responsible for providing logistic, maintenance and engineering support to F/A-18 Hornet operational and deeper level maintenance units (approx 650 pers) within Australia and various deployed locations overseas.• Program management of a continuous improvement program across the organisation focusing on cost reduction and improved performance using LEAN and Six Sigma principles• Monitor and advise on aviation safety occurrence reports. Coordinate investigations of adverse trends in safety occurrences.• Develop initial overseas deployment plans through the conduct of site surveys and liaison.• Provide SME advice on F/A-18 squadron operations and maintenance planning and execution to senior management.• Develop processes and procedures for the conduct of safe and efficient maintenance. Review and maintain current processes and procedures. Show less • Leadership and command of 130 maintenance and logistics personnel maintaining and operating up to 17 F/A-18 Hornet aircraft• Short and long term maintenance and operations planning• Daily coordination of operations• Quality management of aircraft and technical equipment maintenance to schedule• Process development and review to meet operational and legislative requirements • Management of the operations ground safety program including hazardous substance management plan• Planning and execution of unit deployments to conduct away base operations• Materiel Defect and Maintenance Deficiency investigation and reporting• Investigation and reporting of aviation safety occurrences Show less • Responsible for Avionics related engineering and maintenance issues• Administrative management of 45 maintenance personnel• Engineering risk management• Investigation of safety related incidents and management of safety incident reporting• Planned and managed frontline aircraft operations• Maintenance managed shifts on a rotational basis• Deployment planning and execution• Chaired quality and safety management meetings for the unit• Managed internal quality audit program and resolved external audit non compliance findings Show less

  • Staff Officer Engineering and Logistics

    Jan 2011 - Oct 2012

  • Senior Engineering Officer

    Jan 2008 - Dec 2010

  • Simulator Manager

    Apr 2007 - Dec 2007

  • Executive officer

    Jan 2006 - Apr 2007

  • Avionics Maintenance Officer

    Jan 2004 - Dec 2005
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  Arrium Mining Consumables

  Oct 2012 - May 2014

  Site Work Management & Contractor Systems Coordinator

  Implementation of improved work management & contractor management systems.

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  Helmsman-International

  Jun 2014 - Dec 2015

  Consultant
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  Murray Consulting Solutions

  Dec 2015 - now

  A General Manager Engineer with a proven track record of strong leadership and achievements. Key competencies include:• Project Management• Engineering Management • Maintenance Management• Strategic and organisational reform Over 28 years of experience as an Engineering and Maintenance Manager within the Royal Australian Air Force, Steel Industry and Royal Australia Navy. Performed managerial roles in many areas including aviation engineering, test & evaluation and maintenance management, project engineering and logistics and organisational reform and change. Most recent roles have included implementation of an effective project governance model for Royal Australian Navy ship repair, project management of maintenance system change in a Mining consumables manufacturer, Logistics Engineering Manager for Classic Hornet and Senior Engineering Manager of Hornet Squadron.Studying towards Master of Project Engineering Management with Southern Cross University since 2017 on part-time online basis. Show less • Engineering Manager for Lead In Fighter Capability Assurance Program (LIFCAP) major avionic upgrade to Hawk aircraft. Led the LIFCAP April 16 Airworthiness Board which was widely commended for its successful submission, results and presentation. • Provided engineering and flight test coordination support for the LIFCAP T&E program (Developmental, Acceptance and Operational T&E phases).• Led the development of LIFCAP Compliance Findings including EMC, equipment installations and production of key engineering products including drafting and approval of non-significant design acceptance decisions and drafting of significant design acceptance recommendation decisions for Chief Engineer. • Maintained LIFCAP engineering and flight test compliance against new Defence Aviation Safety Regulations – amending key LIFCAP plans as required. Show less

  • Director

    Nov 2020 - now

  • Managing Consultant

    Aug 2017 - May 2022

  • Consultant

    Dec 2015 - Jul 2017