Chief Licensed Aircraft Engineer in Christchurch, Dorset

This senior permanent role is responsible for ensuring the safe, compliant and effective delivery of maintenance activities across UK and international operations.

• Lead the assigned aircraft maintenance function in accordance with UK CAA, UK MAA, EASA and company regulatory requirements
• Ensure all maintenance activities are delivered safely, compliantly and within the scope of organisational approvals
• Provide professional leadership to Engineering Delivery Managers, Crew Chiefs and Team Leaders
• Drive a strong safety, quality and compliance culture throughout the engineering organisation
• Ensure sufficient manpower, tooling, equipment and facilities are available to support maintenance operations
• Oversee maintenance planning to ensure the safe, effective and timely delivery of aircraft maintenance programmes
• Ensure the accurate recording and certification of maintenance activities, including Certificates of Release to Service
• Support technical investigations, occurrence reporting and root cause analysis activities

• Lead the closure of audit findings, safety investigations and regulatory actions
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 27001 management systems
• Develop and mentor engineering personnel to build capability, resilience and succession within the team
• Drive performance, accountability and continuous improvement across the maintenance function
• Manage customer and stakeholder relationships while balancing operational, regulatory and commercial requirements
• Support UK and overseas operations, including occasional travel and deployment requirements
• Deliver maintenance programmes safely, efficiently and within agreed budgets

• Extensive experience in aircraft maintenance management within a highly regulated aviation environment
• Unrestricted UK CAA Part 66 B1 or B2 Licensed Aircraft Engineer qualification, or equivalent military aircraft engineering experience
• Strong working knowledge of UK CAA, UK MAA and EASA regulatory requirements
• Experience managing maintenance operations within an Approved Maintenance Organisation
• Practical knowledge of Safety Management Systems and aviation compliance frameworks
• Understanding of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 27001 standards
• Proven experience leading, coaching and developing engineering teams
• Demonstrable experience delivering cultural change and continuous improvement initiatives

• Strong communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent organisational and time management abilities, with the capacity to deliver under pressure
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and related business systems
• Ability to obtain and maintain SC Security Clearance
• Medical fitness to undertake engineering duties and operational travel requirements

• Experience within military aviation or defence aviation environments
• Experience supporting multiple aircraft fleets and maintenance programmes
• Experience leading regulatory audits and managing corrective action programmes
• Eligibility to obtain DV Security Clearance where required
• Experience managing significant organisational change programmes
• Experience operating within international maintenance environments
• Knowledge of contract delivery and budget management within aviation operations

• Opportunity to lead a critical aircraft maintenance function within a highly regulated aerospace environment
• Senior leadership responsibility across safety, compliance, engineering delivery and continuous improvement
• Exposure to UK and international aviation operations
• Professional development and team-building opportunities

If you are an experienced Chief Licensed Engineer with a strong background in aircraft maintenance management, regulatory compliance and engineering leadership, apply now to take on this senior opportunity in Northern Ireland.