GSE Planning Engineer

Etihad Airways; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading airline in Abu Dhabi is seeking a GSE Planning Engineer to oversee planning, scheduling, and maintenance of ground support equipment for optimum operational efficiency. The role demands strong experience in GSE maintenance within an airport environment and proficiency in SAP EAM. Ideal candidates should hold a degree in engineering and possess excellent planning and analytical skills. This position offers an opportunity to ensure compliance with aviation safety standards and enhance service reliability in a dynamic, high-volume airport environment.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years’ experience in GSE maintenance planning or engineering in an airport or ground handling environment.
• Strong working knowledge of motorized GSE (tractors, loaders, etc.).
• Good understanding of aviation safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage preventive maintenance programs for GSE.
• Plan and schedule inspections and major overhauls minimizing impact on flights.
• Monitor GSE utilization and availability.

Skills

GSE maintenance planning

Technical knowledge of motorized GSE

Planning and analytical skills

Coordination and communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, or Industrial Engineering

Tools

SAP EAM

Job description

Overview

The GSE Planning Engineer is responsible for planning, scheduling, and controlling all preventive and corrective maintenance activities for the GSE fleet supporting passenger, ramp, and cargo operations at AUH. The role ensures optimum equipment availability, regulatory compliance with UAE aviation authorities, cost control, and safe, reliable operations in a high-volume, 24/7 airport environment.

Accountabilities

• Develop and manage preventive maintenance programs for all motorized and non-motorized GSE in line with OEM manuals, IATA standards, and UAE regulatory requirements.
• Plan and schedule periodic inspections, servicing, and major overhauls, ensuring minimal impact on flight operations.
• Coordinate daily, weekly, and long-term maintenance plans with ramp, passenger, and cargo operations at AUH.
• Monitor GSE utilization, availability, and reliability to support fleet optimization and capacity planning for peak and seasonal operations at Abu Dhabi Airport.
• Ensuring adequate GSE coverage and maintenance readiness.
• Assist in life-cycle management, replacement planning, and technical evaluation of new or electric GSE.
• Maintain accurate equipment master data, maintenance plans, task lists, and BOMs in SAP EAM.
• Control work order planning, backlog management, and maintenance compliance reporting.
• Generate and analyze planning and performance reports for management review.
• Support preparation and monitoring of annual maintenance budgets for AUH GSE operations.
• Optimize manpower planning, workshop capacity, and shift coverage in line with operational demand.
• Coordinate spare parts planning and inventory optimization with stores and procurement teams.
• Monitor KPIs including GSE availability, serviceability, PM compliance.
• Identify repeat defects and support root cause analysis (RCA) and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support reliability and cost-reduction programs, including standardization and asset rationalization.
• Ensure all planned maintenance activities comply with GSE Manual OEM requirements.
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits at Abu Dhabi Airport.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, or Industrial Engineering.
• 3–5 years’ experience in GSE maintenance planning or engineering within an airport or ground handling environment, preferably in the Middle East.
• Strong working experience with SAP EAM.
• Strong technical knowledge of motorized GSE (tractors, loaders, buses, GPUs, ACUs, dollies, etc.).
• Good understanding of aviation safety standards.
• High level of planning, analytical, and data management skills.
• Strong coordination and communication skills in a multicultural environment.

Etihad Airport Services has now rebranded to Velora LLC.

About Etihad Airport Services-Ground

Etihad Airport Services Ground is the sole ground operations handler at Zayed International Airport.

EASG handles a wide variety of ground functions at the capital’s international airport, from passenger check-in and boarding to baggage handling and aircraft services.

All operations are centered around its three main prerogatives: safety and security in all its functions, world class operations for all customer airlines through maximum efficiency and a world class customer experience for all visiting and transiting guests.