Chief Engineer - Helicopters

Callum Devaney; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aviation recruitment firm is seeking a Chief Engineer – Helicopters in New Zealand, focusing on technical oversight and mentorship in rotary maintenance. This pivotal role combines hands-on maintenance with leadership responsibilities. Ideal candidates will have a B1.3 licence, at least 7 years of experience, and proven skills in training engineers. Competitive salary and career advancement opportunities are available.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in aviation maintenance.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience training and mentoring engineers.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety investigations and internal/external audits.
• Provide expert troubleshooting and technical advice.
• Coach and train engineers to build technical capability.

Skills

Diagnostic skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Current B1.3 licence with ratings

Inspection Authorisation

Job description

Oaklands Global are currently seeking a Chief Engineer – Helicopters to provide technical oversight, training, and mentorship across a high-performing rotary maintenance operation.

This is a pivotal role designed for a hands-on engineer who also thrives on developing people, solving complex technical challenges, and ensuring the highest standards of safety, compliance, and quality across helicopter maintenance and projects. As Chief Engineer, you’ll play a key part in supporting the Engineering Manager to meet operational goals, customer expectations, and regulatory requirements. Your time will be divided between hands-on maintenance and providing leadership, technical support, and on-the-job training to the engineering team. You’ll also be the go-to technical contact for complex aircraft issues and customer queries.

Responsibilities

Operational Delivery & Performance

• Foster and maintain a strong safety and quality culture within the maintenance and project teams.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory frameworks, technical data, and company procedures.
• Lead or support safety investigations and internal/external audits.
• Oversee tooling calibration and maintenance requirements.
• Carry out maintenance and project work as a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer when required.

Technical Support & Training

• Provide expert troubleshooting and technical advice to engineers and customers.
• Coach, train, and mentor engineers to build technical capability across the team.
• Review technical data, drawings, and publications to ensure correct interpretation and use.
• Work with leadership to identify knowledge gaps and develop targeted training initiatives.
• Recommend and implement process and systems improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
• Act as the lead contact for complex technical queries, ensuring issues are resolved promptly and effectively.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote and maintain adherence to safety and compliance standards.
• Identify hazards, incidents, and non-conformances and ensure timely reporting through the Safety Management System.
• Support continuous improvement in workplace practices and documentation.

New Capability

• Provide technical oversight for major capital investment projects and maintenance capability development.
• Contribute to future product and service strategies.

Requirements

• Current B1.3 licence with ratings (Ideally BK117)
• MUST be CAA or EASA
• Inspection Authorisation highly desirable.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in aviation maintenance.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience training and mentoring engineers.
• Excellent diagnostic, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• A collaborative, safety-focused mindset with strong stakeholder management ability.

Why Work With Oaklands Global?

We are the world’s leading aviation and aerospace recruitment and executive search firm, trusted by the most respected names in the industry to deliver results with integrity, discretion, and excellence.

With over 50 years of combined experience, we don’t just fill roles, we shape careers and give our clients a competitive talent advantage. We take immense pride in the quality of our searches and are committed to representing only the very best candidates to the very best businesses.

At Oaklands Global, every application is handled with the utmost professionalism and complete confidentiality. If this opportunity interests you, please apply in confidence to Callum Devaney. Whether or not your profile is shortlisted, you will hear from us, because we believe in treating every candidate with respect and care.

We’re not just here to help you land your next role. We are here to elevate your career.