Heritage Aircraft Engineer

Air Leasing Ltd; Sywell; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Leasing Ltd, at Sywell Aerodrome, Northamptonshire, is seeking an Aircraft Engineer to maintain, base and restore WWII fighter aircraft. You’ll work hands-on across a diverse fleet, including Spitfires, Mustangs, Hurricanes, Hawker Fury, and more.

Occasional travel may be required. Flexibility in hours with some weekend work during the summer display season; a proven maintenance/restoration background on WWII aircraft and a valid UK driving licence are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience maintaining and/or rebuilding WWII fighter aircraft.
• Hands-on skills across sheet metal, aircraft systems and paint finishing.
• Full UK driving licence and fluent English.

Responsibilities

• Carry out line maintenance on WWII fighter aircraft.
• Support restoration and rebuild projects, including sheet metal work and paint finishing.
• Prepare aircraft for flight in support of our flight experiences and airshows.
• Complete all technical paperwork accurately and in line with approvals.
• Work closely with the team to keep the fleet serviceable during the summer season.

Skills

WWII aircraft maintenance

Sheet metal

Aircraft systems

Paint finishing

Full UK driving licence

Fluent English

Job description

Aircraft Engineer: WWII Warbird Maintenance & Restoration

Location: Sywell Aerodrome, Northamptonshire (occasional travel)

Salary: Dependent on experience

Hours: Flexible, with some weekend work during the summer display season

About Us

Air Leasing Ltd is a small, family-run business that operates, maintains and rebuilds some of the rarest WWII aircraft flying in Europe. We hold CAA A8-24 and A8-25 approvals, and our fleet flies a busy schedule of passenger flight experiences, airshows, events and film work.

The Fleet

You’ll be working hands‑on with a collection that includes:

• Spitfires
• Mustangs
• Hurricane
• Hawker Fury
• Thunderbolt
• Tempest
• Lockheed 12A
• Trojans
• Harvard
• Stearman
• Buchons
• ME109s

And the fleet is still growing.

The Role

You’ll take on line maintenance, base maintenance and full restoration work across the fleet. One week you could be preparing a Spitfire for a passenger flight, the next you could be deep into a rebuild. No two days are the same.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out line and base maintenance on WWII fighter aircraft
• Support restoration and rebuild projects, including sheet metal work, systems and paintwork
• Prepare aircraft for flight in support of our flight experience and airshow schedule
• Complete all technical paperwork accurately and in line with our approvals
• Work closely with the team to keep the fleet serviceable through the busy summer season

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience maintaining and/or rebuilding WWII fighter aircraft
• Hands‑on skills across sheet metal, aircraft systems and paint finishing
• A genuine team player who’s happy to go the extra mile
• Flexibility around working hours, including weekends during the summer
• Full UK driving licence
• Fluent English
• Ability to pass a DBS check if required for airside pass applications

Desirable

• Licences are not essential but would be a strong bonus

Why Join Us?

• Keep some of the most iconic aircraft in aviation history in the air
• Join a small, supportive, family‑run team where your work genuinely matters
• See the results of your work at airshows and events across the season

  Why Join Us?

  • Keep some of the most iconic aircraft in aviation history in the air
  • Join a small, supportive, family‑run team where your work genuinely matters
  • See the results of your work at airshows and events across the season
  • Flexible working arrangements, open to discussion with the right person