Aircraft Performance Engineer

Air New Zealand; Auckland; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Air New Zealand is seeking a Performance Engineer to join the Continuing Airworthiness Engineering team. You’ll analyse aircraft reliability and operational data to identify trends and opportunities to improve fleet performance and maintenance effectiveness.

You’ll apply AI, Python and SQL to automate analyses, develop predictive models and build dashboards that translate complex data into clear actions for engineers and leaders.

Qualifications

• Experience in aircraft reliability/maintenance engineering or related discipline.
• Strong analytical/problem-solving skills with large datasets.
• Practical AI/SQL/Python experience for automation and analysis.
• Experience creating reports, dashboards and visualisations for decisions.
• Relevant qualification in Engineering, Aviation or Data Analytics; predictive analytics valued.
• Strong communication and ability to link technical work to business outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Analyse aircraft reliability and operational data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Lead reliability investigations and root-cause analyses to boost availability and maintenance effectiveness.
• Use AI, Python and analytics tools to automate analyses and build predictive models.
• Design reports and dashboards translating complex data into actionable insights for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance and operations to optimise programmes and processes.
• Present recommendations that influence change and support regulatory/OEM reporting.

Skills

Analytical skills

Python/SQL

Dashboards reporting

Communication skills

Education

Engineering/Aviation/Data Analytics degree

Tools

SQL

Python

Job description

Kia ora!

We're looking for a Performance Engineer to join Air New Zealand's Continuing Airworthiness Engineering team. In this role, you'll use data to solve complex engineering challenges, uncover opportunities for improvement, and help shape decisions that enhance aircraft reliability, operational performance and maintenance efficiency. Your work won't stop at identifying insights. You'll collaborate with engineers, maintenance teams and operational leaders to turn analysis into meaningful, measurable outcomes.

Air New Zealand is on an accelerated journey to become the world's leading digital airline. As part of our Engineering team, you'll combine reliability engineering, data analytics and emerging technologies to improve how we maintain and operate one of the most modern fleets in the region. You'll have the opportunity to influence enterprise-wide decisions while helping deliver safe, reliable and efficient operations for our customers.

How you'll make an impact

• Analyse aircraft reliability and operational data to identify trends, emerging issues and opportunities to improve fleet performance
• Lead reliability investigations and root cause analysis, developing practical solutions that improve aircraft availability, operational reliability and maintenance effectiveness
• Use AI, Python and analytical tools to automate analysis, develop predictive models and create repeatable engineering solutions
• Design reports, dashboards and data visualisations that translate complex information into clear, actionable insights for technical and operational stakeholders
• Partner with Engineering, Maintenance and operational teams to optimise maintenance programmes, improve processes and support informed decision making
• Present recommendations that influence change, support regulatory and OEM reporting requirements, and deliver measurable operational improvements.

What we're looking for

• Experience in aircraft reliability engineering, maintenance engineering, maintenance planning, aviation performance analysis, or a closely related technical discipline
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience investigating complex engineering or operational issues using large or complex datasets
• Practical experience using AI, SQL, Python or similar analytical tools for automation, modelling or advanced data analysis
• Experience developing high-quality reports, dashboards and visualisations that enable informed business and engineering decisions
• A relevant qualification in Engineering, Aviation, Data Analytics or a related discipline. Experience with predictive analytics, statistical modelling or reliability engineering methodologies will be highly regarded
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to connect technical detail to operational and commercial outcomes.

If you meet the majority of the criteria and are excited by the opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.

Why join Air New Zealand?

We want our people to live their best lives and access great benefits that support their lives outside work.

• Generous Staff Travel benefits for you, your friends and whānau
• FlexiLeave, giving you the option to purchase up to four additional weeks of leave each year
• A strong learning culture with development opportunities that help you grow your career
• Access to a wide range of work perks, including discounts on hotels, retail, banking, insurance and more
• Health and wellbeing support, including our Employee Assistance Programme, wellbeing resources and access to discounted medical cover.

Ready for take-off?

If you're motivated by solving complex engineering problems, enjoy turning data into action, and want to help shape the future of aircraft reliability through innovation and collaboration, we'd love to hear from you. Join a team where your ideas will influence how we improve performance across our fleet while contributing to the future of one of New Zealand's most iconic organisations.

Applications close Sunday 25th October 2026.

At Air New Zealand, we are proudly committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and believe in creating a truly inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves and thrive. Our people are our greatest asset – because while everything else we do in our operation can be replicated by our competitors, it is our people that truly set us apart. We are firm believers in celebrating the differences and diversity of thought our people bring to their roles.

Whāia te pae tawhiti kia tata. Ko te pae tata whakamaua, kia tina.

"Seek to bring distant horizons closer. Once near, seize them and make them your reality."