Chief Licensed Aircraft Engineer

Matchtech Group; Poole; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech Group is seeking a Chief Licensed Engineer to lead a senior aircraft maintenance function across the UK and international operations. You will ensure safe, compliant delivery of maintenance programmes, and provide leadership to Engineering Delivery Managers, Crew Chiefs and Team Leaders.

The role requires extensive UK CAA Part 66 B1/B2 licensing, strong regulatory knowledge, and a track record of driving safety culture, ISO compliance, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in aircraft maintenance management within a highly regulated aviation environment.
• Unrestricted UK 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.
• Practical knowledge of Safety Management Systems and aviation compliance frameworks.
• Understanding of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 27001 standards.
• Proven experience leading, coaching and developing engineering teams.
• Demonstrable experience delivering cultural change and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Aviation maintenance management

Leadership & people management

Regulatory knowledge (CAA/MAA/EASA)

Communication & stakeholder management

SC security clearance eligibility

MS Office proficiency

Education

CAA Part 66 B1/B2 License

Equivalent military aircraft engineering experience

Job description

This senior permanent role is responsible for ensuring the safe, compliant and effective delivery of maintenance activities across UK and international operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the assigned aircraft maintenance function in accordance with UK CAA, UK MAA, EASA and company regulatory requirements
• Ensure all maintenance activities are delivered safely, compliantly and within the scope of organisational approvals
• Provide professional leadership 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 to ensure the safe, effective and timely delivery of aircraft maintenance programmes
• Ensure the accurate recording and certification of maintenance activities, including 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 across the maintenance function
• Manage customer and stakeholder relationships while balancing operational, regulatory and commercial requirements
• Support UK and overseas operations, including occasional travel and deployment requirements
• Deliver maintenance programmes safely, efficiently and within agreed budgets

Essential Requirements:

• Extensive experience in aircraft maintenance management within a highly regulated aviation environment
• Unrestricted UK 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
• Practical knowledge of Safety Management Systems and aviation compliance frameworks
• Understanding of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 27001 standards
• Proven experience leading, coaching and developing engineering teams
• Demonstrable experience delivering cultural change and continuous improvement initiatives

• Strong communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent organisational and time management abilities, with the capacity to deliver under pressure
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and related business systems
• Ability to obtain and maintain SC Security Clearance
• Medical fitness to undertake engineering duties and operational travel requirements

Desirable Experience:

• 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
• Experience managing significant organisational change programmes
• Experience operating within international maintenance environments
• Knowledge of contract delivery and budget management within aviation operations

Role Benefits:

• Opportunity to lead a critical aircraft maintenance function within a highly regulated aerospace environment
• Senior leadership responsibility across safety, compliance, engineering delivery and continuous improvement
• Exposure to UK and international aviation operations
• Professional development and team-building opportunities

If you are an experienced Chief Licensed Engineer with a strong background in aircraft maintenance management, regulatory compliance and engineering leadership,