Aircraft Maintenance Shift Leader

Job Specification

Position: Shift Manager – Line or Base Maintenance
Location: Middle East
Department: Aircraft Maintenance
Role Type: Permanent
Ref: VR/05575/JF

Shift Manager – Aircraft Maintenance

The Role

We are currently seeking experienced Aircraft Maintenance Shift Managers to join a leading aviation organisation in the Middle East.

Opportunities are available across both Line Maintenance and Base Maintenance, and candidates with strong experience in either environment are encouraged to apply.

The Shift Manager will be responsible for leading and coordinating maintenance activities during the assigned shift, ensuring aircraft maintenance is completed safely, efficiently and in accordance with regulatory, company and customer requirements.

This is a senior operational position requiring strong technical knowledge, leadership capability and the ability to manage engineers, technicians and maintenance activities in a fast-paced aircraft maintenance environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage aircraft maintenance activities throughout the assigned shift.
• Supervise and coordinate teams of licensed engineers, mechanics and technicians.
• Allocate manpower and resources effectively to meet operational and maintenance requirements.
• Ensure all maintenance activities are carried out in accordance with approved procedures, regulatory requirements and company standards.
• Monitor aircraft maintenance progress and ensure tasks are completed within required timescales.
• Coordinate closely with Maintenance Control, Planning, Quality, Engineering and other operational departments.
• Ensure aircraft defects, technical issues and maintenance findings are appropriately managed and resolved.
• Support troubleshooting and technical decision-making where required.
• Maintain oversight of aircraft technical status throughout the shift.
• Ensure effective shift handovers and continuity of critical maintenance activities.
• Monitor productivity, workmanship and compliance across the maintenance team.
• Ensure correct use and availability of tools, equipment, materials and maintenance documentation.
• Support aircraft recovery and AOG situations when required.
• Ensure maintenance records and documentation are completed accurately and correctly.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure Human Factors principles are followed.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures, Quality requirements and applicable aviation regulations.
• Support internal and external audits as required.
• Manage performance and development of personnel within the maintenance team.
• Provide coaching, guidance and technical support to engineers and technicians.
• Liaise with customers and third-party organisations where maintenance is being performed under contractual or SLA requirements.
• Ensure aircraft are released from maintenance in a safe, compliant and airworthy condition.

Line Maintenance Responsibilities

For the Line Maintenance Shift Manager position, responsibilities may additionally include:

• Managing daily operational aircraft maintenance requirements.
• Coordinating aircraft defects, troubleshooting and rectification activities.
• Working closely with Maintenance Control to maximise aircraft availability.
• Managing scheduled and unscheduled line maintenance activities.
• Supporting AOG and short-term maintenance requirements.
• Coordinating aircraft movements between operational and maintenance environments.

Base Maintenance Responsibilities

For the Base Maintenance Shift Manager position, responsibilities may additionally include:

• Managing planned aircraft maintenance checks and work packages.
• Monitoring maintenance check progress against planned milestones.
• Coordinating manpower and resources across multiple maintenance work areas.
• Ensuring outstanding and critical maintenance tasks are effectively controlled and handed over.
• Working closely with Planning, Production and Quality teams to achieve maintenance programme targets.
• Ensuring aircraft are completed and returned to service in accordance with the approved maintenance programme.

Experience & Requirements

• Minimum 9 years' experience within aircraft Line and/or Base Maintenance.
• Minimum 3 years' experience in a supervisory, leadership or management position.
• Demonstrable experience independently leading aircraft maintenance teams.
• Strong understanding of aircraft maintenance procedures, regulatory requirements and airworthiness standards.
• Previous experience managing engineers, mechanics and technical personnel.
• Strong knowledge of maintenance planning, technical documentation and maintenance control processes.
• Good understanding of Quality, Safety and Human Factors requirements.
• Strong communication, leadership and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a high-pressure operational maintenance environment.
• Experience working within an airline or MRO environment is highly desirable.

Licence & Aircraft Experience

• EASA Part-66  equivalent Aircraft Maintenance Licence background is highly desirable.
• B1 and/or B2 Licensed Engineers with management experience are encouraged to apply.
• Airbus A320 Family experience is strongly preferred.
• Additional commercial aircraft type experience will also be considered.

Candidate Profile

We are particularly interested in candidates currently working as:

• Shift Manager
• Maintenance Shift Manager
• Aircraft Maintenance Manager
• Line Maintenance Manager
• Base Maintenance Manager
• Maintenance Supervisor
• Senior Licensed Aircraft Engineer
• Lead Aircraft Engineer
• Production Supervisor
• Hangar Supervisor

Candidates with extensive aircraft maintenance experience who have progressed from a licensed engineering background into team leadership or operational management will be particularly well suited to the position.