Aircraft Engineering Assurance Manager

UK Ministry of Defence; Newark and Sherwood; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

The UK Ministry of Defence is seeking an Engineering, Logistics Assurance and Quality Management Specialist for Number 2 Flying Training School. This role focuses on maintaining safety standards for MOD gliders and involves auditing, quality management, and providing engineering guidance. The position offers hybrid working conditions and extensive training opportunities, aiming to enhance safety and efficiency in aviation practices.

Benefits

Civil Service pension with employer contribution of 28.97%

Learning and development tailored to the role

Flexible working options available

Dedicated to inclusion and diversity

Qualifications

• Experience in engineering, maintenance and assurance, especially in military aviation.
• Knowledge of QMS and relevant aviation regulations (MAA, EASA).
• Full UK driving licence required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct audits and compliance checks on gliders and maintenance activities.
• Maintain and manage the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Support volunteers in engineering processes and drive Continuous Improvement initiatives.

Skills

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

IT skills

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Royal Air Force Syerston

Job Summary

Number 2 Flying Training School (2 FTS) of the Royal Air Force supports the RAF Air Cadets’ Purpose and Vision through the provision of a safe and memorable gliding experience, and contributes to the national youth-focused Air, Space & Cyber enterprise through our Volunteer Glider Squadrons (VGS) around the UK. We are looking for a dedicated and skilled individual to join our team as an Engineering, Logistics (including motor transport) Assurance and Quality Management Specialist. This critical role focuses on ensuring the safe operation of MOD gliders by delivering high-quality engineering assurance and managing the Quality Management System (QMS) in compliance with aviation and MOD standards. Further, the incumbent will undertake general supporting functions for 2 FTS and be a focal point for Continuous Improvement (CI).

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

You will be responsible to the 2 FTS Engineering Headquarters (Eng HQ) Executive Officer and Officer Commanding Engineering Wing for performing the following duties:

• Conduct audits, inspections, and compliance checks on aircraft (gliders) and associated maintenance activities at our VGS locations around the UK, including some weekend work.
• Ensure that engineering practices meet all relevant safety, regulatory, and operational requirements.
• Maintain, develop, and manage the QMS to ensure ongoing compliance with MOD and aviation standards.
• Collaborate with our VGS, contractors, and regulatory bodies to uphold quality and airworthiness standards.
• Provide expert guidance and support our volunteers in engineering quality processes and drive CI initiatives across 2 FTS.
• Work with our VGS representatives to establish root-cause of observations and work with them to develop and execute closure action plans.
• Support operational activities, including on-site inspections, which will require weekend work although time-off in lieu will be provided.
• Travel across the UK to various VGS locations, ensuring the consistency and integrity of engineering and quality practices.
• Be a CI focal point for 2 FTS.
• Collaborate with the 2 FTS Eng HQ team to support general logistics and engineering tasks including transport co-ordination and administration.
• Lone work for periods not exceeding several days, away from base, as required to conduct balanced audit activity for all our VGS.
  
  

Duties

You will be responsible to the 2 FTS Engineering Headquarters (Eng HQ) Executive Officer and Officer Commanding Engineering Wing for performing the following duties:

• Conduct audits, inspections, and compliance checks on aircraft (gliders) and associated maintenance activities at our VGS locations around the UK, including some weekend work.
• Ensure that engineering practices meet all relevant safety, regulatory, and operational requirements.
• Maintain, develop, and manage the QMS to ensure ongoing compliance with MOD and aviation standards.
• Collaborate with our VGS, contractors, and regulatory bodies to uphold quality and airworthiness standards.
• Provide expert guidance and support our volunteers in engineering quality processes and drive CI initiatives across 2 FTS.
• Work with our VGS representatives to establish root-cause of observations and work with them to develop and execute closure action plans.
• Support operational activities, including on-site inspections, which will require weekend work although time-off in lieu will be provided.
• Travel across the UK to various VGS locations, ensuring the consistency and integrity of engineering and quality practices.
• Be a CI focal point for 2 FTS.
• Collaborate with the 2 FTS Eng HQ team to support general logistics and engineering tasks including transport co-ordination and administration.
• Lone work for periods not exceeding several days, away from base, as required to conduct balanced audit activity for all our VGS.
  
  

Person specification

Essential

The person that should apply for this role is one that has quality management and engineering experience, is proactive and able to work both individually and within a small team. The role uses different IT systems, but training will be given on these. We are therefore seeking a self- motivated and detail-oriented professional with the following qualifications and skills:

• Full UK driving licence.
• Experience in engineering, maintenance and assurance (preferably involving military aviation, gliders or light aircraft).
• Knowledge of QMS and relevant aviation regulatory frameworks (eg MAA, EASA Part M, Part 145).
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Flexibility to travel and work weekends, when required.
• IT skills including MS Office.
  
  

Desirable

• Familiarity with MOD QMS procedures and standards.
• Formal qualifications in engineering or aviation quality management.
• General engineering aptitude to support some practical tasks.
  
  

Licences

Full UK driving licence - The incumbent will be required to visit multiple remote sites that do not have suitable public transport links and they will be required to use MOD fleet cars.

Languages

English.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
  
  

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
  
  

Alongside your salary of £36,530, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,582 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Hybrid working from home (2 days) and office (3 days)
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
  
  

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV and the following:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
  
  

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

At Interview, You Will Be Assessed Against The Following

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
  
  

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: [e-mail] .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
  
  

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact

• Name : For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Wing Commander Sam Bennett.
• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: [e-mail].