Lead Aircraft Technician

Ifairworthy; Gatwick; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Lead a skilled engineering team

Learning and development opportunities

Collaborative working environment

Contribute to fleet safety and air‑re|

Job summary

British Airways is seeking a Lead Aircraft Technician to head a skilled team and oversee maintenance, inspections, and defect rectification to meet safety and airworthiness standards.

You will allocate tasks, supervise 10+ technicians, and provide technical guidance, signing off completed work while driving productivity and reducing aircraft downtime.

Qualifications

• 5–6 years' aircraft maintenance experience.
• Ability to interpret engineering manuals and documentation.
• Excellent communication skills and a proactive, safety-first approach.
• Flexibility to work shifts in demanding operational environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a team of 10+ technicians and Mechanics.
• Allocate and oversee maintenance tasks to meet operational targets.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and airworthiness requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and sign off completed work.
• Support improvements in productivity, efficiency, and aircraft downtime.
• Promote effective communication and teamwork across shifts.

Skills

Leadership

Technical skills

Communication

Education

Aircraft Apprenticeship

Part-66 qualifications

HNC Aeronautical Engineering

Job description

Lead Aircraft Technician

The Role

As a Lead Technician, you will lead a team of aircraft maintenance colleagues, ensuring maintenance, inspections, and defect rectification activities are completed safely, efficiently, and in line with regulatory and company standards.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and supervise a team of 10+ technicians and Mechanics.
• Allocate and oversee maintenance tasks to meet operational targets.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and airworthiness requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and sign off completed work.
• Support improvements in productivity, efficiency, and aircraft downtime.
• Promote effective communication and teamwork across shifts.

What You’ll Bring to British Airways

• Aircraft Engineering Apprenticeship, Part-66 qualifications, HNC in Aeronautical Engineering, or equivalent.
• 5–6 years' aircraft maintenance experience.
• Strong technical, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering manuals and documentation.
• Excellent communication skills and a proactive, safety-first approach.
• Flexibility to work shifts and in demanding operational environments.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to lead a skilled engineering team.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment.
• The chance to contribute to the safety and reliability of the British Airways fleet.

Great journeys require first-­class aircraft. That’s why we’ve our world class engineering function is so important to the British Airways customer experience. On our team, you get to work in unrivalled facilities on one of the most diverse fleets around: 300 aircraft from 747s (the 'queen of the skies') to new A320neos and A350s. Get ready to push your engineering skills to ensure our customers fly in the safest, most reliable aircraft in the skies.In return for keeping our fleet at the forefront of the sector, you’ll receive great rewards and lots of scope to develop your engineering skills and progress your career.

At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work.

Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.