Volantes Technical Recruitment Ltd

Volantes are delighted to be bringing this newly created Leadership role to the market on behalf of our long-standing, well-established fixed-wing client.

Our client is seeking a dynamic leader to join their engineering department, based at their Glasgow Head Office.

If you are not already from the area, then we are able to support you with relocation.

With this role, there is also the option of remote working 1 day per week.

Although based in Glasgow, there will be an element of travel involved when it comes to overseeing all of their UK bases.

The Director of Engineering is responsible for leading the engineering and technical operations of the company’s fleet in compliance with UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards.

The newly appointed Director of Engineering would be reporting directly to the CTO, managing engineering teams and collaborating across departments to support the company’s strategic and operational goals.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management

We want you to come in & lead and manage the engineering department, overseeing operations, planning, and technical personnel.
Develop and support staff through mentoring, training, and performance management.
Ensure that teams are fully compliant with CAA, EASA, and airline standards in their work procedures & processes.

Regulatory Compliance

Ensure compliance with UK CAA, EASA regulations, and relevant aviation laws.
Serve as the primary point of contact with UK regulatory authorities during audits, inspections, and investigations.
Monitor changes to aviation regulations and implement required changes within the department.

Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering

We would be looking for you to develop, implement, and oversee scheduled maintenance programs, ensuring fleet reliability and safety.
Ensure all maintenance activities comply with the client’s continuing airworthiness management organisation (CAMO) requirements, along with outsourced maintenance events.
Coordinate with maintenance control and operational departments to manage maintenance schedules, AOG (Aircraft on Ground) situations, and ensure efficient fleet utilisation.

Safety and Quality Assurance

Lead the management of the safety management systems (SMS), ensuring all engineering practices & procedures prioritise safety and meet the company’s quality assurance & compliance objectives.
Conduct regular independent safety and compliance audits, ensuring that any findings are raised and promptly addressed and corrected.

Technical Innovation and Fleet Management

Identify and implement new technologies and processes that enhance fleet performance, reduce operational costs, drive efficiency, and improve environmental sustainability.
Oversee the integration of new aircraft into the fleet, including modifications and certification processes with the CAA and EASA requirements.
Collaborate with aircraft manufacturers, suppliers, and MROs (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) to resolve technical issues, implement upgrades, and optimise aircraft performance.

Budget and Cost Control

Manage the engineering department’s budget, ensuring cost-effective maintenance operations without compromising safety and regulatory compliance.
Review and negotiate contracts with third-party maintenance providers to secure the best service and pricing.
Implement strategies to reduce maintenance costs while maintaining fleet reliability and on-time performance.

Strategic Planning and Cross-Departmental Collaboration

Participate in long-term strategic planning for the company’s technical operations, ensuring alignment with broader business goals.
Work closely with flight operations, logistics, finance, and other departments to ensure a coordinated approach to fleet maintenance and technical operations.
Provide technical expertise and support to other departments, particularly with flight safety and performance.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time performance, maintenance costs, and aircraft reliability.
Use data analysis to drive improvements in operational efficiency and fleet performance.

Stakeholder and Vendor Management

Build and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders, including the CAA, EASA, aircraft manufacturers, and third-party MRO providers.
Ensure third-party maintenance providers adhere to the company’s safety and performance standards.

Training and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in aircraft engineering and maintenance, including significant leadership experience.
Proven experience with UK CAA and EASA regulations and compliance requirements.
Licensed Aircraft Engineer with a Part-66 certification or equivalent (desired).
Experience in managing large, diverse teams and complex technical projects.
Experience with regional aircraft types.
Familiarity with aviation maintenance software systems (e.g., Oases, AMOS).
Knowledge of Lean or Six Sigma methodologies for process improvement.
Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.

More about this job

Aircraft Maintenance Manager: Job, Scale and Profession in Skill and Prospects

Aviation sector is considered to be a booming industry in the world. As airline expand and new aircrafts and the need that safe air travel be offered around the world, the need to offer this service to people with qualified professional has also grown. The aircraft Maintenance Manager is perhaps one of the most important persons in this sector.

As the title reveals, it is not only a position about aircrafts maintenance, it is management of people in teams, in accordance with the international aviation standards, it is also about the safety. In this blog, we will talk in detail about the functions, responsibilities, skills, requirements, job opportunities, pay, and future prospects of a maintenance manager of aircraft.

The Aircraft Maintenance Manager is who?

An Aircraft Maintenance Manager is a well-trained aviation professional who supervises maintenance of aircraft inspection, repairing and servicing. They chart the group of technicians and engineers to make sure each aircraft is fit to fly and ready to pass the aviation regulations.

In the most uncomplicated terms, they are the flight safety watchdogs. In the absence of them, the airlines would not be able to operate safely.

They guarantee that:

Aircraft are periodically checked.
There are schedules of maintenance followed.
The faults are determined and rectified in time.
Personal safety and compliance is never compromised.

The reason why This Role is vital in Aviation

Air travel is regarded as being one of the safest modes of commutations but the fact that it is secure is attributed to the presence of a firm maintenance. Aircraft maintenance manager plays a critical position since:

Safety of the Passengers First – Safe and comfortable conditions of all parts of an aircraft are a prerequisite.
Regulatory Compliance – Airlines have to adhere to the rules of aviation like the FFA, EASA or GCAA rules.
Operational Efficiency – Properly maintained aircraft means fewer wastes of time in delayed and cancelled flights.
Cost Control – When maintenance is done regularly we are able to avoid expensive repair.
Reputation of Airlines – Good fleet maintenance creates customer confidence.

One flight expert remarked that, airlines do not sell tickets, but sell safety.

Responsibilities of an Aircraft Maintenance Manager

The role of an aircraft maintenance manager will differ according to the magnitude of an organization or an airline. But generally these involve:

Creating and monitoring the schedule of maintenance of the entire planes.
Liaising with engineers, technicians and ground staff.
Authorization of maintenance before an aircraft resumes service.
Control of demand and supply of spare parts.
Having records that can be scrutinized in terms of maintaining maintenance.
Making sure safety laws on aviation are being followed.
Junior staff training and mentoring.
Carrying out audits and safety inspection.
Planning to get certificates with the aviation authorities.
Emergency repairs, unscheduled maintenance.

They also in most instances attend high level airlines executive meetings to discuss the operations efficiency and safety.

The Required Skills by an Aircraft Maintenance Manager

In order to excel in this position, one requires technical, management, and soft skills to do so. Among the most valuable skills:

Good Technical Knowledge – High knowledge of the process of aircraft systems, engines, and avionics.
Leadership Skills – Ability to lead technician and engineer teams.
Problem-Solving – Rapid conclusions to a crisis.
Communication – Clear contact with the pilots, engineers and authorities.
Time Management – Management of the maintenance schedules without causing the delay on flights.
Attention to Detail – The most minor mistake can be risky.
Familiarity of Aviation Laws – Familiarity with international and local Aviation laws.
Crisis Management – Dealing with problems of uncertainty in a composed manner.

Qualifications Needed

Schooling, training and experience take years to become an Aircraft Maintenance Manager. The standard qualifications are:

Bachelors degree in Aerospace engineering or Aviation Technology or Mechanical engineering.
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Licence of an authorised aviation body (FAA, EASA, ICAO).
Longevity as a maintenance aircraft engineer or technician of several years.
High level of aviation regulations and training in aviation safety.
Quality Assurance, Aviation Safety Management, or Project Management are some of the potential certifications that can contribute.

Other managers go as far as to acquire a Master’s in Aviation Management as a capacity-building program.

Career Path Way to Become an Aircraft Maintenance Manager

The career path to this job normally takes the following steps:

Education – Begin with Bachelor degree in mechanical or aeronautical engineering.
Licensing – Acquire Aircraft Maintenance Engineer license.
Experience – Gain some years of work experience as a technician or an engineer in an aircraft.
Supervisory Role – Apply to the roles of supervisory experience.
Managerial Promotion – In case of robust skills and experience, you can go to the managerial level.

The journey is a slow one that needs tolerance, devotion, and unending study.

Employers and Industries

Aircraft Maintenance Managers are required in many industries, such as:

Commercial Airlines
Cargo Airlines
Military Aviation
Helicopter Services
Aircraft Manufacturing Companies Healthy growth can be observed in Aircraft Manufacturing Companies because of following strategies
Operators of Private Jets
Aerospace and Defense Contractors
Airport Authorities

Major airlines (Emirates, Qatar Airways, British Airways, American Airlines, Lufthansa and Saudi Airlines), MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) among others are the employers.

Aircraft Maintenance Manager Salary

The pay varies with location, employers and with experience. On average:

Entry Level (Supervisor Agrowed to Manager): 60-80,000 per annum
Mid-Level: 90,000-120,000 dollars yearly
Senior Level (10+ years of experience): 130,000-160,000 a year

Managers in other regions such as the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar) also get:

Free rooms
Transport allowance
Health cover
Yearly air tickets

This renders aviation as one of the most fulfilling industries.

High Level of Career Growth

Aircraft Maintenance Managers may expand back into:

Director, Maintenance
Chief Engineer
Director in Quality Assurance
Maintenance and Engineering Vice president

Some even end up in the field of consultancy or go abroad to international aviation organizations with the world experience.

The role struggles

This occupation is both rewarding and has challenges

Excessive working hours and in cases of emergency.
Time-tradeoffs to fly at a set schedule without jeopardizing safety.
Requirement of on-going training due to changing technology.
Heavy responsibility – a single error can endanger the lives of hundreds of people.
Tough auditing and control measures.

Yet these obstacles can turn into the advantage of passionate representatives of the aviation world to verify their abilities.

Future of Aircraft Maintenance Manager

The prospects are great. As the world air transportation expands, modern planes are introduced, and safety standards become more important, there will be a greater number of skilled managers.

New trends are:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) based paragraph maintenance.
Inspection and repair robotics.
Eco-friendly air travel.
Greater interest in cybersecurity of aviation systems.

With airlines spreading all over the world the Aircraft Maintenance Manager is one of the most admired and high-remunerated professions within the spheres of aviation.

Q As the aircraft maintenance manager what can I expect?

Q1 What do you need to do in order to be an aircraft maintenance manager?
You will require an engineering degree or aviation technology, an AME license, and the experience of several years in the maintenance operations of the aircraft.

Q2 Is the job stressful?
Yes, it is stressful (high level of responsibility) yet effective training and collective work enable one to cope.

Q3: Are foreigners allowed to take up employment as maintenance managers in the Middle East?
Yes, several foreign professionals exist in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, assuming that they have valid licenses.

Q4: How much time does it take to attain maintenance manager?
8-12 years in the average duration to progress as technician level to rising to a position in management.

Q5: How does the maintenance manager compare with an aircraft engineer?
An engineer is oriented at working with the hands maintenance whereas a manager is in control of teams, schedules and ensures adherence.

Conclusion

Aircraft Maintenance Manager position is one of the most important positions within the aviation field. It demands expertise, direction, forbearance, dedication. The profession not only promises well payment and career advancement but also gives one fulfillment of knowing they have given the multiplying number of passengers fly safely in the skies each year.

Acquiring skills and becoming an aircraft maintenance manager is a life-changing move in the dreams of young professionals looking into a career in the aviation field. Given the right education and skill and the drive, you may be able to make it to the apex of this well regarded job.

A safe flight according to the aviation axiom, starts with flawless maintenance.

Aircraft Maintenance Manager Full Time