Chief Engineer - Aircraft

Line Up Aviation; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 12% pension contributions

Bonus incentives

Discounted PMI

Electric car scheme

Tech vouchers

Wellbeing programmes

Job summary

Line Up Aviation is recruiting a Chief Engineer to lead the maintenance function within a world-class AMO in Northern Ireland. The role reports to the Operations Manager Aircraft Maintenance and focuses on safe, compliant delivery of aircraft maintenance in accordance with international standards.

You will manage engineering teams, drive safety culture, audit closures and continuous improvement across maintenance programmes, with travel to UK and overseas as needed.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in aircraft maintenance management in a highly regulated aviation environment.
• UK unrestricted CAA Part 66 B1 or B2 Licensed Aircraft Engineer qualification, or equivalent military aircraft engineering experience.
• Strong knowledge of UK CAA, UK MAA and EASA regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the assigned Maintenance function in line with UK CAA, UK MAA, EASA and company regulatory requirements.
• Ensure maintenance activities are performed safely and compliantly.
• Provide leadership to Engineering Delivery Managers, Crew Chiefs and Team Leaders.

Skills

Aircraft maintenance management

Part 66 licensed engineer

Regulatory knowledge

Leadership and coaching

SMS & compliance

Education

Part 66 license (engineering)

Military aviation experience

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Line Up Aviation is a specialist aviation and aerospace recruitment company that has been operating worldwide for more than 35 years. We work with some of the industry's best-known companies who demand the highest standards.

• Job Title: Chief Engineer (UK unrestricted CAA Part 66 B1 or B2 Licensed Aircraft Engineer qualification, or equivalent military aircraft engineering experience.
• Location: Northern Ireland
• Work Type: Fulltime Permanent Opportunity
• Salary: (phone number removed) pa
• Benefits package: a comprehensive benefits package including up to 12% matching pension contributions, bonus incentives, discounted PMI, electric car scheme, tech vouchers, wellbeing programmes and much more.

On behalf of our global client, we are currently recruiting a skilled Chief Engineer to lead and manage an assigned Maintenance function within our clients Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO).
Reporting to the Operations Manager Aircraft Maintenance, this is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring the safe, compliant and effective delivery of aircraft maintenance activities in accordance with all applicable aviation regulations and international standards.
The Chief Engineer will play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement across the maintenance organisation. You will lead and develop engineering teams, foster a strong safety culture and ensure maintenance operations are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest professional standards.
This role offers the opportunity to work within a fast-paced aviation environment supporting critical customer operations across the UK and internationally.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the assigned Maintenance function in accordance with UK CAA, UK MAA, EASA and company regulatory requirements.
• Ensure all maintenance activities are performed safely, compliantly and within the scope of organisational approvals.
• Provide professional leadership and management to Engineering Delivery Managers, Crew Chiefs and Team Leaders.
• Drive a strong safety, quality and compliance culture throughout the engineering organisation.
• Ensure sufficient manpower, tooling, equipment and facilities are available to support maintenance operations.
• Oversee maintenance planning activities to ensure safe, effective and timely delivery of aircraft maintenance programmes.
• Ensure accurate recording and certification of maintenance activities and Certificates of Release to Service.
• Support technical investigations, occurrence reporting and root cause analysis activities.
• Lead the closure of audit findings, safety investigations and regulatory actions.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 27001 management systems.
• Develop and mentor engineering personnel to build capability, resilience and succession within the team.
• Drive performance, accountability and continuous improvement initiatives across the maintenance function.
• Manage customer and stakeholder relationships while balancing operational, regulatory and commercial requirements.
• Support both UK and overseas operations, including occasional travel and deployment requirements.
• Deliver maintenance programmes safely, efficiently and within agreed budgets.

Experience / skills / qualifications

Essential

• Extensive experience in aircraft maintenance management within a highly regulated aviation environment.
• UK unrestricted CAA Part 66 B1 or B2 Licensed Aircraft Engineer qualification, or equivalent military aircraft engineering experience.
• Strong working knowledge of UK CAA, UK MAA and EASA regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing maintenance operations within an Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO).
• Practical knowledge of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and aviation compliance frameworks.
• Understanding of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 27001 standards.
• Proven experience leading and developing engineering teams.
• Demonstrable experience driving cultural change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Excellent leadership, coaching and mentoring skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to deliver under pressure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and related business systems.
• Ability to obtain and maintain SC Security Clearance.
• Medically fit to undertake engineering duties and operational travel requirements.

Desirable

• Previous experience within military aviation or defence aviation environments.
• Experience supporting multiple aircraft fleets and maintenance programmes.
• Experience leading regulatory audits and managing corrective action programmes.
• Eligibility to obtain DV Security Clearance where required.
• Previous experience managing significant organisational change programmes.
• Experience operating within international maintenance environments.
• Knowledge of contract delivery and budget management within aviation operations.