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Permanent

Chief Licensed Aircraft Engineer

Matchtech
Christchurch
money-bag Negotiable
Posted: 28 September 2026 (Today)
Closing date: 28 October 2026
Ref: 225656413

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



Key Responsibilities:

  • 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


Essential Requirements:

  • 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


Desirable Experience:

  • 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


Role Benefits:

  • 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.

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