Lead Planning Engineer - Base

Air Arabia; Sharjah; On-site; AED 391,000 - 614,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Arabia in Sharjah seeks a Base Maintenance Planning Manager to lead the planning, control, and execution of base maintenance while ensuring safety and airworthiness compliance. You will liaise with CAMO, MCC, AMOS, hangar operations, OEMs and authorities to ensure timely, cost-effective maintenance.

The role emphasizes data-driven decisions, workforce allocation, and continuous improvement to optimise heavy maintenance programs and drive efficiency and safety in operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aircraft/Aeronautical/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or equivalent with experience.
• Training on Human Factor and Safety is required; familiarity with CAMO and airworthiness rules.
• Experience with Civil Aviation Authority regulations and maintenance programs.

Responsibilities

• Develops monthly heavy maintenance plans including A checks, inspections, cabin mods, major repairs.
• Coordinates daily with short-term planning for streamlined processes.
• Provides weekly MH analysis reports to management for hangar planning.
• Aims for cost control without compromising safety and airworthiness.
• Oversees AMOS, regulatory bodies, OEMs, MCC in daily Continuing Airworthiness activities.
• Uses data from multiple sources to analyze performance and improve efficiency.
• Supports fleet Continuous Airworthiness and work-scope development.
• Analyzes trends to develop cost-effective solutions and proactive changes.
• Monitors daily progress of heavy maintenance events and flags risks.
• Identifies opportunities for cost reduction and planning improvements.
• Coordinates with technical records for maintenance traceability and archiving.

Skills

Planning & scheduling

Leadership

Data analysis

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aircraft/Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Aircraft License

Human Factor / Safety training

Tools

AMOS

Job description

Job Purpose

The successful candidate will lead and manage the Base Maintenance Planning function, ensuring effective planning, control, and execution of all base maintenance activities while maintaining full compliance with regulatory, safety, and airworthiness standards. The role drives maintenance efficiency through optimised planning, data-driven decision-making, effective workforce allocation, and continuous improvement initiatives. The position acts as a key liaison between CAMO, MCC, AMOS, Hangar Operations, OEMs, and regulatory authorities to ensure the timely and cost-effective completion of maintenance checks.

Key Result Responsibilities

• Develops, publishes, and manages the Monthly Heavy Maintenance Plans Covering A checks, structural inspections, cabin modifications, and major repair programs, MISC inputs.
• Daily coordination with short term planning for streamline process in Planning.
• Provides weekly reports for base maintenance MH analysis to the Management for the Hangar Inputs.
• Provides solutions towards cost control / reductions without compromise on safety and the standards of Air Arabia
• Responsible for AMOS, Regulatory bodies, OEMs, MCC etc. in all daily activities regarding Continuing Airworthiness, this would include data collation, performance review, management reporting and corrective measures.
• Utilizes data gathered from different sources to conduct analysis, evaluate carried tasks, and facilitates actions for improving the efficiency of Airworthiness Functions.
• Support Continuous Airworthiness for the Fleet and in the development of associated work scopes.
• Analyses data and technical performance reports and trends, highlights findings to develop cost effective solutions and implement proactive changes.
• Overseas daily progress of ongoing heavy maintenance events, highlights risks/delays, and recommends corrective actions.
• Identifies opportunities for cost reduction, task optimization, and planning improvements without compromising safety or quality.
• Coordinates with technical records for all Hangar maintenance activities, ensuring traceability, completeness, and timely archiving.

People Management

• Provides direction, coaching and guidance to team members for their career and professional development.
• Creates a conducive working environment to build and sustain a performance driven, engaged, and committed team.
• Ensures people management responsibilities are handled effectively in line with company procedures.

Qualifications (Academic, Training, Languages)

• Bachelor’s degree in Aircraft/ Aeronautical/ Aerospace/ Mechanical/ Electronics/ Electrical Engineering or Aircraft License alternately a higher diploma or certificate in a relating field from a recognized university or engineering college combined with needed experience and exposure.
• Training certificates or workshops on “Human Factor” and “Safety” are a must. Training in Aircraft General Familiarization. Experienced in aircrafts airworthiness programs requirements and regulations, such as CAMO (Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization).
• Very good experience in aircraft maintenance programs systems, software and techniques and their relation to the Continued Airworthiness Program.
• Familiar with rules and regulations of Civil Aviation Authorities, pertaining to the Engineering Maintenance, policies, procedures, and manuals.

Work Experience

• With 8+ years of experience in Maintenance planning role, out of which at least 4 years' experience supervising maintenance planners.
• Experience with Airbus 320 family aircraft is highly desirable.