Aviation Support Engineering Manager

AALTO; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global aerospace company based in Farnborough is seeking an Aviation Support Engineering Manager to translate operational requirements into effective engineering solutions. This role involves managing GSE and infrastructure assets while ensuring compliance and safety. Candidates should have significant experience in aviation support engineering with strong technical skills, as well as a proven track record in stakeholder management. Join a company that values your well-being and offers competitive benefits, including a rewarding bonus scheme and a comprehensive pension plan.

Benefits

Short-term incentive plan

25 days of holiday

Private medical insurance

Personal pension plan

Income protection and life assurance

Employee assistance programme

Employee discounts via Perkbox

Qualifications

• Significant experience in aviation support engineering, ideally in a military or remotely deployed environment.
• Extensive management experience in GSE and infrastructure assets.
• Strong technical background in aviation and maintenance operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering oversight for powered and non-powered GSE and airport/MRO facilities.
• Develop and maintain engineering strategies and maintenance programs.
• Ensure compliance with regulations, standards, and safety management systems.

Skills

Aviation support engineering

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Communication skills

Asset management

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics

SAP

Job description

At AALTO, we take pride in building and offering an exceptional work environment that values your well‑being and rewards your dedication. We believe in recognising your hard work and commitment, which is why we provide a fantastic bonus scheme that rewards your contributions. Additionally, we understand the importance of financial security and support your future with a competitive pension plan. When you join us, you become part of a workplace that not only encourages your professional growth but also cares about your personal fulfilment and financial stability.

AALTO is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.

Welcome to AALTO, a global leader in Stratospace. Based in Farnborough, AALTO is an Airbus subsidiary that manufactures, operates, and delivers services with its solar‑powered, stratospheric platform: Zephyr.

Zephyr’s persistence enables continuous flight for months at a time. Its current flight‑time record is over 67 days in the stratosphere. From above 60,000+ft, or 20km above ground, AALTO can deliver several applications including direct‑to‑device connectivity and high‑resolution Earth observation.

AALTO operates in a new operational layer between most of air traffic and low‑Earth orbit, Stratospace. This is where high‑altitude platforms led by Zephyr deliver services to commercial and government partners. We can help monitor environments, observe borders, track natural disasters and connect unconnected communities.

Join us as we create a new domain of aerospace: Stratospace. You’ll be part of a highly‑skilled, innovative and passionate group of people – Team AALTO. Together, we can Unlock Stratospace.

Job Purpose

The Aviation Support Engineering Manager translates operational requirements into effective engineering solutions, driving asset availability, and leading continuous improvement across GSE, airport infrastructure, transportation equipment, MRO tooling and support equipment. This role is critical in ensuring safe, compliant, and reliable support to flight operations and maintenance activities in a complex and highly regulated aviation environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering oversight for powered and non‑powered GSE, hangar systems, workshops and airport / MRO facilities.
• Develop and maintain engineering strategies, maintenance programmes and lifecycle plans for support assets.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, company standards and safety management systems.
• Act as the engineering authority for GSE and infrastructure‑related technical issues, design changes and risk assessments.
• Support business case development, execute infrastructure upgrades and drive asset management programmes.
• Drive reliability, availability and cost‑efficiency, ensuring asset readiness as an operational priority.
• Coordinate closely with Procurement, Manufacturing Engineering, Logistics, Maintenance and Flight Operations counterparts.

Experience and Qualifications

• Significant experience in aviation support engineering, ideally within a military or similar, remotely deployed environment.
• Strong technical background in aviation and maintenance operations with proven track record in delivering aviation support solutions.
• Extensive experience in managing GSE and infrastructure assets.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience in aviation supply chain, material management or maintenance support.
• Solid understanding of aviation regulatory frameworks and engineering governance.
• Experience with asset lifecycle management, reliability engineering and maintenance optimisation.
• Proficiency with ERP and MRO information management systems (e.g. Microsoft Dynamics, SAP).
• Excellent problem solving and decision‑making skills with the ability to work transversely across multiple functions.

In addition to salary, we offer:

• Rewarding Excellence: Benefit from our short‑term incentive plan that rewards your hard work and dedication.
• Enjoy Your Time Off: Benefit from 25 days of holiday to relax and recharge.
• Stay Healthy: We’ve got your health covered with private medical insurance, along with dental and optical cash back.
• Secure Your Future: Take advantage of our personal pension plan to ensure a comfortable retirement.
• Peace of Mind: Our income protection and life assurance schemes are there to support you when you need it most.
• We Care About You: Our employee assistance programme is always available to provide the support you need.
• Perks Galore: Enjoy a range of employee discounts via Perkbox, because you deserve a treat!