Aircraft Performance Engineer

Air New Zealand Limited; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff Travel benefits

FlexiLeave

Learning & development

Discounts and perks

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Air New Zealand Limited seeks a Performance Engineer to join its Continuing Airworthiness Engineering team in Christchurch. You will analyze aircraft reliability and operational data to identify trends and opportunities to improve fleet performance and maintenance efficiency.

You will use AI, Python and SQL to automate analyses, develop predictive models and design clear dashboards for engineers, maintenance and leadership, translating insights into measurable operational improvements.

Qualifications

• Experience in aircraft reliability engineering or related technical discipline.
• Strong analytical skills with large datasets.
• Proficiency in AI, SQL and Python for automation and modelling.

Responsibilities

• Analyse aircraft reliability and operational data to identify trends and opportunities to improve fleet performance.
• Lead reliability investigations and root cause analysis with practical solutions.
• Use AI, Python and analytical tools to automate analyses and build predictive models.
• Design reports, dashboards and visualisations for technical and operational stakeholders.

Skills

AI

Python

SQL

Data analytics

Reliability engineering

Dashboards

Education

Engineering qualification

Aviation data analytics

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.

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 whńa
• 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.

Applications close Sunday 25th October 2026.

Additional Information

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.

Whăia 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.\"