Senior Engineer - Mechanical Systems

Virgin Atlantic; Hounslow; Hybrid; GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading airline in the UK is seeking a Senior Mechanical Systems Design & Development Engineer to join their technical management team. This role involves ensuring safety and compliance for the fleet, providing technical support for operations, and implementing maintenance policies. The ideal candidate will have extensive aviation experience, a relevant engineering degree, and strong analytical and communication skills. This position offers a hybrid work model.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working hours

Inclusive workplace environment

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of experience in airline design/development engineering.
• Must have EASA B2 Licence or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of aviation regulations.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and compliance for aircraft maintenance.
• Investigate fleet defects and develop corrective actions.
• Provide technical support for aircraft operations.

Skills

Mechanical Systems Knowledge

Analytical Skills

Negotiation Skills

Communication Skills

Flexibility

Education

Degree or HND in Aeronautical Engineering

Job description

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Job Description

Salary: Up to 79,500 per annum plus circa £2,000 in Design Authorisation Pay subject to design signatory experience.

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30

Location: Heathrow (at least one day per week) / Gatwick / Hybrid

Closing date: 5th December 2025

In a nutshell

We're seeking a talented and experienced Mechanical Systems Design & Development Engineer (Part CAMO) from the Airline/Aviation industry.

This is a Fleet Technical Management Senior Engineer role and a fantastic opportunity to join our expanding Mechanical Systems Engineering team, providing technical expertise in support of the Virgin Atlantic (VAA) Aircraft Fleet.

Day to day

• Specification and implementation of fleet maintenance and modification policies; investigation of Mechanical Systems defects and formulation of corrective actions to maintain maximum safety, system integrity and reliability at optimum cost.
• Provide both Line and Hangar Maintenance solutions to tasks beyond the scope of the readily available manuals. Review manufacturer's, internal company, and regulatory requirements; make technical recommendations and implement actions to ensure aircraft are compliant with regulations and perform to their optimum.
• Investigate fleet‑wide defects and reliability issues together with the formulation of corrective actions to drive performance, maintain safety, compliance, reliability, and product delivery in a timely manner at optimum cost.

About you

• Part CAMO Senior Mechanical Systems Design & Development Engineer, with an airline/aviation background. Innovative and places safety as top priority.
• Several years of experience in a very similar role, holding a Degree/HND in an Aeronautical or Aviation Engineering related subject or a background as a licensed B1 Aircraft Engineer.
• Broad technical experience with aircraft Mechanical Systems, gained within an airline or OEM engineering/field service department. Knowledge of CAA, EASA and other National Airworthiness Authority Regulations and experience of Part CAMO and Part 21.
• Thorough, detailed and analytical approach to work, with an ability to provide innovative solutions to problems.
• Strong, demonstrable negotiation and interpersonal skills with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Flexible, with the ability to adapt and respond to changing demands whilst working under pressure, working well on your own and in a team environment.

Be yourself - our differences make us stronger

Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our colleagues. That's why we're proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world - no matter your age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We celebrate difference and everything that makes our colleagues unique by upholding an inclusive environment in which we can all thrive. So that everyone at Virgin Atlantic can be themselves and know they belong.

To make your journey with us accessible and individual to you, we encourage you to let us know if you'd like a little extra help with your application, or if you have any individual requirements at any stage along your recruitment journey. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our team, [e-mail] feeling confident that we've got your individual considerations covered.

At Virgin Atlantic, our leaders empower teams to thrive through collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Explore our Leadership Recipe and discover the 20 core ingredients that define what it means to lead with us, driving our mission to be the most loved travel company and achieve sustainable profit. Want to learn more?

Responsibilities

Budget accountability: No budget accountability associated with this role.

Core responsibilities: Full rounded professional with In-depth knowledge within subject area and basic knowledge of related disciplines. ;Solve complex problems, taking a new perspective on existing solutions.;May lead projects and act as a resource for colleagues with less experience.;Can work with little direction from line manager.

• Ensure the ultimate safety and Airworthiness of the operation within the framework of the Regulatory Authority and Legislation requirements, whilst optimising cost.
• Constantly review and develop long term aircraft fleet reliability to meet future requirements and minimise disruption to the operation. Develop maintenance policies to ensure optimum safety and reliability whilst controlling and reducing costs.
• To provide, as part of a team, technical support service to VAA Operation and Hangar, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Responding to operational problems, incidents and AOG situations, providing solutions to problems beyond the scope of the manufacturers documentation requiring specialist knowledge, and technical judgement, with the ability to make instant decisions under pressure.
• To review and investigate own fleet experience through maintenance feedback, delays, AOG incidents to prevent reoccurrence as justified.
• To design, compile and issue Special Checks and Additional Engineering Requirements (AER's) to assess aircraft status for reliability and safety issues, and to ensure accomplishment of additional work to provide solutions to on‑going technical problems.
• Assist, when required, in developing the capability of the Company's EASA Part 21J Design Approval to maximise utilisation.
• Represent, when required, the company on a technical basis at industry working groups/meetings.
• Recommend; provide justification and define programmes for modification, inspection and repair of aircraft and/or fleet, in order to improve safety, reliability and operability, as well as maintaining value and minimising costs.
• Provide technical support, guidance and approval for aircraft acquisitions and returns.
• Work Closely with Flight Operations in definition and support of onboard equipment and software.
• Work Closely with Engineering Safety and Flight Safety to provide and assess Flight Data and system performance.
• Provide Avionics technical support, guidance and advice to other departments within VAA and those within the Fleet Technical Group.
• Generate and initiate ideas and projects to improve efficiency and minimise costs.
• The compilation and Technical Verification of modifications, Design Office Instructions and technical reports.
• The Compilation and approval of Maintenance Instruction Deviations (MIDAs) as required by Line and Hangar maintenance.
• Involvement in the development of the Company EASA Part 21J Design Approval, working towards Certification Verification Status.
• To assess Pireps and reliability alerts and decide upon appropriate action to ensure continued fleetwide reliability.
• Assess all relevant Regulatory Authority requirements and Directives and implement appropriate action to ensure continued compliance with Airworthiness Requirements.
• Review manufacturers communications, including Service Bulletins, All Operators Wires, Telexes, Service Letters and In Service Activity Advisories to assess operational impact on safety, reliability and commercial implications. Implement action plans and maintenance policies. Approval signatory for TDA closure.
• To assess and recommend technical changes to the Approved Maintenance Schedule, to improve safety, reliability and to reduce maintenance and operation costs.
• Work closely with OEMs and vendors to solve safety and operational reliability issues.
• Ensure all ASRs/MORs, are all acted upon in a timely manner, working closely with the necessary departments and external contacts to perform this and ensuring no compromise in the aircraft safety margins.
• Assess and close all DDs within the timeframes specified in the MEL and/or management.
• Closed all TDAs within the timeframes stated in the Engineering department Procedures.
• Stay abreast of future avionic requirements, helping to support Virgin in ensuring that these requirements are realistic in nature and will not be financially detrimental.
• Manage projects in area of responsibility to their conclusion, in response to technical and non‑engineering requirements (originating from Flight Ops, Airline, etc).
• Ensure adequate transfer of technical information to all relevant departments by compiling, and approving, Technical Bulletins, reports of significant events, meetings, conferences, etc.
• Provide technical assistance to departments responsible for negotiating contracts for the repair and overhaul of major components.
• Provide support of the pool spares provider contract, ensuring timely completion of associated SB agreements and technical queries.
• Provide technical assistance to departments responsible for pursuing warranty claims and support programmes with the manufacturers and contracted repair agencies of aircraft and major components.
• Provide technical representation on behalf of Virgin Atlantic Engineering at industry meetings, vendors and third party maintenance organisations. Represent the Fleet Technical Group at formal project meetings, including planning and chairing of meetings with manufacturers on specific problems or issues.
• To deputise for the Principal Avionics Engineer in all areas of their responsibility and accountability.

Line management responsibilities: No line management responsibilities identified for this role

Qualifications

• An engineering degree/HND in a discipline relevant to aviation or an EASA B2 Licence (or equivalent).
• A minimum of five years experience in airline or manufacturers design/development engineering.
• Must have a good knowledge of aviation industry including its structure and regulation.
• Strong demonstrable negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Must be thorough, detailed and analytical in their approach to work.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Must have the ability to work well on their own initiative.
• Must be flexible and have the ability to adapt and respond to changing work demands whilst working under pressure.
• The ability to analyse problems and recommend a course of action and/or provide innovative solutions.
• Must be computer literate, having a working knowledge of the various company computer systems.
• Must be able to make clear and unambiguous decisions, passing these on in situations of extreme pressure.
• Must be a team player.