Senior Engineer - Mechanical Systems

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Job Description

Job details

Salary: Up to 79,500 per annum plus circa £2,000 in Design Authorisation Pay subject to design signatory experience.

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30

Location: Heathrow (at least one day per week) / Gatwick / Hybrid

Closing date: 5th December 2025

In a nutshell

We're seeking a talented and experienced Mechanical Systems Design & Development Engineer (Part CAMO) from the Airline/Aviation industry.

This is a Fleet Technical Management Senior Engineer role and a fantastic opportunity to join our expanding Mechanical Systems Engineering team, providing technical expertise in support of the Virgin Atlantic (VAA) Aircraft Fleet.

Day to day

• You will be responsible for specification and implementation of fleet maintenance and modification policies, investigation of Mechanical Systems defects and formulation of corrective actions to maintain maximum safety, system integrity and reliability at optimum cost.
• You will be providing both Line and Hangar Maintenance with solutions to tasks that are beyond the scope of those laid out in the readily available manuals. You will be responsible for the review of manufacturer's, internal company, and regulatory requirements; making technical recommendations and implementing actions to ensure aircraft are compliant with regulations and perform to their optimum.
• You will also be responsible for investigation of fleet wide defects and reliability issues together with the formulation of corrective actions to drive performance, maintain safety, compliance, reliability, and product delivery in a timely manner at optimum cost.

About you

• We're seeking a Part CAMO Senior Mechanical Systems Design & Development Engineer, with an airline/aviation background. Somebody who is innovative and places safety as their top priority.
• We're looking for candidates who already have several years' experience in a very similar role, and hold a Degree/HND in an Aeronautical or Aviation Engineering related subject or a background as a licensed B1 Aircraft Engineer.
• You will have broad technical experience with aircraft Mechanical Systems, gained within an airline or OEM engineering/field service department. Knowledge of CAA, EASA and other National Airworthiness Authority Regulations and experience of Part CAMO and Part 21.
• You must be thorough, detailed and analytical in approach to work, with an ability to provide innovative solutions to problems.
• You will have strong, demonstrable negotiation and interpersonal skills with excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• You'll need to be flexible, with the ability to adapt and respond to changing demands whilst working under pressure, working well on your own and in a team environment.

Be yourself - our differences make us stronger

Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our colleagues. That's why we're proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world - no matter your age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We celebrate difference and everything that makes our colleagues unique by upholding an inclusive environment in which we can all thrive. So that everyone at Virgin Atlantic can be themselves and know they belong.

To make your journey with us accessible and individual to you, we encourage you to let us know if you'd like a little extra help with your application, or if you have any individual requirements at any stage along your recruitment journey. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our team, (recruitment@fly.virgin.com) feeling confident that we've got your individual considerations covered.

At Virgin Atlantic, our leaders empower teams to thrive through collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Explore our Leadership Recipe and discover the 20 core ingredients that define what it means to lead with us, driving our mission to be the most loved travel company and achieve sustainable profit. Want to learn more?

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Responsibilities

Budget accountability:
No budget accountability associated with this role

Core responsibilities:
Full rounded professional with In-depth knowledge within subject area and basic knowledge of related disciplines. ;Solve complex problems, taking a new perspective on existing solutions.;May lead projects and act as a resource for colleagues with less experience.;Can work with little direction from line manager.

Key responsibilities:
Technical Support To provide immediate specialist technical support and rectification action in response to operational problems, incidents and AOG situations in compliance with the company's Part 21 Design Approval and to minimise operational disruptions and cost. • Ensure the ultimate safety and Airworthiness of the operation within the framework of the Regulatory Authority and Legislation requirements, whilst optimising cost. • Constantly review and develop long term aircraft fleet reliability to meet future requirements and minimise disruption to the operation. Develop maintenance policies to ensure optimum safety and reliability whilst controlling and reducing costs. • To provide, as part of a team, technical support service to VAA Operation and Hangar, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Responding to operational problems, incidents and AOG situations, providing solutions to problems beyond the scope of the manufacturers documentation requiring specialist knowledge, and technical judgement, with the ability to make instant decisions under pressure. • To review and investigate own fleet experience through maintenance feedback, delays, AOG incidents to prevent reoccurrence as justified. • To design, compile and issue Special Checks and Additional Engineering Requirements (AER's) to assess aircraft status for reliability and safety issues, and to ensure accomplishment of additional work to provide solutions to on-going technical problems • Assist, when required, in developing the capability of the Company's EASA Part 21J Design Approval to maximise utilisation. • Represent, when required, the company on a technical basis at industry working groups/meetings. • Recommend; provide justification and define programmes for modification, inspection and repair of aircraft and/or fleet, in order to improve safety, reliability and operability, as well as maintaining value and minimising costs. • Provide technical support, guidance and approval for aircraft acquisitions and returns. • Work Closely with Flight Operations in definition and support of onboard equipment and software. • Work Closely with Engineering Safety and Flight Safety to provide and assess Flight Data and system performance. • Provide Avionics technical support, guidance and advice to other departments within VAA and those within the Fleet Technical Group. • Generate and initiate ideas and projects to improve efficiency and minimise costs.. Main Duties • The compilation and Technical Verification of modifications, Design Office Instructions and technical reports. • The Compilation and approval of Maintenance Instruction Deviations (MIDAs) as required by Line and Hangar maintenance. • Involvement in the development of the Company EASA Part 21J Design Approval, working towards Certification Verification Status. • To assess Pireps and reliability alerts and decide upon appropriate action to ensure continued fleetwide reliability. • Assess all relevant Regulatory Authority requirements and Directives and implement appropriate action to ensure continued compliance with Airworthiness Requirements. • Review manufacturers communications, including Service Bulletins, All Operators Wires, Telexes, Service Letters and In Service Activity Advisories to assess operational impact on safety, reliability and commercial implications. Implement action plans and maintenance policies. Approval signatory for TDA closure. • To assess and recommend technical changes to the Approved Maintenance Schedule, to improve safety, reliability and to reduce maintenance and operation costs. • Work closely with OEMs and vendors to solve safety and operational reliability issues • Ensure all ASRs/MORs, are all acted upon in a timely manner, working closely with the necessary departments and external contacts to perform this and ensuring no compromise in the aircraft safety margins. • Assess and close all DDs within the timeframes specified in the MEL and/or management. • Closed all TDAs within the timeframes stated in the Engineering department Procedures. • Stay abreast of future avionic requirements, helping to support Virgin in ensuring that these requirements are realistic in nature and will not be financially detrimental. • Manage projects in area of responsibility to their conclusion, in response to technical and non-engineering requirements (originating from Flight Ops, Airline, etc). • Ensure adequate transfer of technical information to all relevant departments by compiling, and approving, Technical Bulletins, reports of significant events, meetings, conferences, etc. • Provide technical assistance to departments responsible for negotiating contracts for the repair and overhaul of major components. • Provide support of the pool spares provider contract, ensuring timely completion of associated SB agreements and technical queries. • Provide technical assistance to departments responsible for pursuing warranty claims and support programmes with the manufacturers and contracted repair agencies of aircraft and major components. • Provide technical representation on behalf of Virgin Atlantic Engineering at industry meetings, vendors and third party maintenance organisations. Represent the Fleet Technical Group at formal project meetings, including planning and chairing of meetings with manufacturers on specific problems or issues. • To deputise for the Principal Avionics Engineer in all areas of their responsibility and accountability. Training and Development • Review personal training needs as required. • Have specific vendor training on key systems under their responsibility. • Maintain technical training levels, keeping up to date with changes in Avionic philosophies, design and airworthiness regulations (EASA/JAA/CAA/FAA/ Eurocontrol/Eurocae/ARINC). • Assist in the training of new starters, Apprentices, Graduates, Undergraduates etc. . Communication Ensure adequate transfer of technical information to all relevant departments by compiling Technical Bulletins, reports of significant events, meetings, conferences, etc • Represent Fleet Technical Group at project meetings, including planning and chairing of meetings with manufacturers, OEM's on specific problems or issues. • Regular liaison and communication with Fleet Technical Group Avionics team members on operational issues with VAA Fleet implications. • Provide the main point of contact between OEMs Technical support and the airline

Line management responsibilities:
No line management responsibilities identified for this role

Qualifications

• An engineering degree/HND in a discipline relevant to aviation or an EASA B2 Licence (or equivalent). . • An engineering degree/HND in a discipline relevant to aviation or an EASA B2 Licence (or equivalent).
• A minimum of five years experience in airline or manufacturers design/development engineering.
• Must have a good knowledge of aviation industry including its structure and regulation.
• Strong demonstrable negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Must be thorough, detailed and analytical in their approach to work.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Must have the ability to work well on their own initiative.
• Must be flexible and have the ability to adapt and respond to changing work demands whilst working under pressure.
• The ability to analyse problems and recommend a course of action and/or provide innovative solutions.
• Must be computer literate, having a working knowledge of the various company computer systems.
• Must be able to make clear and unambiguous decisions, passing these on in situations of extreme pressure.
• Must be a team player.