Principal Mechanical Engineer

Qantas Airways; Sydney; On-site; AUD 200,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discount flights

Parental leave

Rewards program

Wellbeing app

Job summary

Qantas Airways in Mascot, NSW, seeks a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead engineering guidance for the Airbus fleet, manage airworthiness programs, and prioritise fleet issue resolution. This role requires deep technical leadership and effective communication with suppliers and regulators.

You will mentor engineers, oversee technical documentation, and balance deadlines with safety and operational performance across a complex fleet.

Qualifications

• Professional Engineering degree in Aeronautical or Mechanical or equivalent.
• 10+ years in commercial aircraft mechanical systems, preferably Airbus.
• Design signatory experience is advantageous.
• Strong airworthiness knowledge (EASA/ CASA) and regulatory understanding.
• Proven ability to translate complex technical information for diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate continuing airworthiness instructions and authorize engineering instructions.
• Coordinate fleet airworthiness issues ensuring certification compliance.
• Act as primary contact for mechanical engineering issues in the fleet portfolio.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to engineers and technical staff.
• Liaise with manufacturers, regulators and stakeholders to resolve fleet issues.
• Prepare detailed technical documentation, reports and presentations.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Technical communication

Mentorship

Problem solving

Project coordination

Education

Professional Engineering degree (Aeronautical/Mechanical) or equivalent

Job description

Founded in the Queensland outback in 1920, Qantas has grown to be Australia’s largest regional, domestic, and international airline. Qantas has a range of subsidiary businesses that support the overall operations of the Group. The Qantas Group’s main business is the transportation of customers and freight using two complementary airline brands — Qantas and Jetstar — operating regional, domestic, and international services.

Company Description

Founded in the Queensland outback in 1920, Qantas has grown to be Australia’s largest regional, domestic, and international airline. Qantas has a range of subsidiary businesses that support the overall operations of the Group. The Qantas Group’s main business is the transportation of customers and freight using two complementary airline brands — Qantas and Jetstar — operating regional, domestic, and international services.

Job Description

• Manage mechanical aspects of Qantas Airbus fleet
• Covered under the Professional Engineers EA
• Permanent full-time position located at the Qantas Corporate Campus in Mascot

Qantas Engineering keeps us at the forefront of aviation, caring for and maintaining both the Qantas fleet and aircraft for our customers across the Asia-Pacific region. Working with state-of-the-art equipment and resources, our shared commitment to professional excellence continues to keep our customers safe.

Our experience sets us apart. Our team is made up of people who understand our business inside and out, fresh faces with brand new perspectives, and experts from different fields who challenge us to do things differently.

As the Principal Mechanical Engineer in Airbus Technical Services Team, your role involves delivering professional engineering guidance, exercising mature professional engineering judgement, and identifying, prioritising, and managing fleet issue resolution. You will need to manage multiple conflicting deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.

Effective communication and problem-solving skills will be crucial in working with suppliers and manufacturers to resolve issues and influence them to maximise commercial and operational benefits to Qantas.

Your responsibilities will also include:

• Evaluating Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness and developing and authorising engineering instructions to address airworthiness and operational requirements.
• Evaluating and coordinating fleet airworthiness issues to ensure compliance with certification, airworthiness and regulatory requirements.
• Serving as a primary contact for mechanical engineering issues in the fleet portfolio and providing technical support and expertise to resolve maintenance program and modification program issues.
• Providing leadership and mentorship to professional engineers and technical staff, fostering the development their technical skills and broader professional development.
• Liaising with manufacturers, suppliers, regulators, and internal airline stakeholders to effectively address tactical and operational fleet asset management issues.
• Analysing technical issues and preparing detailed technical documentation, reports, and presentations for internal stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and customers.

To be considered for this role you will have:

• Professional Engineering degree qualifications in Aeronautical, Mechanical, or equivalent.
• Over 10 years of industry experience, including significant experience in commercial aircraft mechanical systems, preferably with the Airbus fleet in an operator's environment.
• Design signatory experience would be highly favourable and advantageous.
• Comprehensive understanding of initial airworthiness (preferably EASA) and continuing airworthiness (preferably CASA) processes.
• Proven ability to translate complex technical information clearly and concisely, and to communicate effectively with suppliers, manufacturers and internal airline stakeholders.
• Strong sense of ownership, work ethic, and drive to get the job done.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and mentor professional engineers and technical staff.

Why Qantas?

You’ll join a team where creativity and passion are encouraged. Our people come together to allow us to dream big and deliver successfully.

There are many different opportunities across our team, which means you’ll be able to grow both personally and professionally at Qantas. Your development is a priority for us – so that you can maintain the high standards our customers have come to expect and can continue to develop over time. You’ll be supported from day 1 with on-the-job training and coaching as well as our formal training opportunities. While you may start in this role, we’ve got a great track record of supporting our people to take your career in so many different directions, the destinations are endless.

The Qantas employee benefits program offers amazing benefits that extend well beyond travel.

• We love to travel: Enjoy heavily discounted air travel within Australia and across the globe, both for you and your family and friends, as well as exclusive deals on accommodation and holidays.
• We have flexible leave options: Make use of leave and flexible working opportunities including 18 weeks paid parental leave (plus superannuation payments on all paid and unpaid parental leave until your child turns 1) and additional purchased leave options for eligible employees.
• We’ll give you access to thousands of rewards: Through our partnerships we can offer you discounts across shopping, food and wine, insurance, health and wellbeing, leisure and entertainment. You can also take advantage of our salary packaging program including motor vehicles, eligible portable electronic devices and professional memberships.
• We’ll support your wellbeing: Whether it’s learning to better support your own and others’ mental health, our interactive wellbeing app or your very own tailored nutrition plan.

Qantas is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application. Your personal information will be kept confidential in compliance with relevant privacy legislation.

Applications close:Thursday 29th of October 2026.