Head of Engineering Operations

About the Role

The Head of Engineering Operations is a senior leadership role, responsible for the overall management, operational delivery, compliance, and strategic development of the company’s global aircraft structural repair activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain overall responsibility for the planning, coordination, and execution of multiple concurrent aircraft fixed price projects.
• Oversee complex and time-critical repair, modification and routine maintenance activities, including AOG events.
• Ensure repairs are executed in accordance with approved maintenance data, customer requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Support, mentor, train, and coach Project Managers and Team Leaders (permanent and contract) in planning, execution, and customer engagement.
• Provide senior-level support during customer, engineering, and OEM coordination calls to define repair scope, schedules, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Ensure effective coordination of resources, tooling, materials, and third-party support to achieve on-time return-to-service.
• Act as the senior customer-facing authority for estimates, schedules, technical discussions, and repair progress updates.
• Ensure customer requests are converted into accurate estimates within defined timelines when required.
• Promote the company’s capabilities during emergent repair and AOG opportunities.
• Maintain and develop strong working relationships with customers, suppliers, OEMs, and third-party organisations.
• Support commercial decision-making to ensure repairs are delivered efficiently and profitably.
• Ensure full compliance with all applicable aviation regulatory requirements across operating regions.
• Maintain oversight of the Safety Management System (SMS), Quality Management System (QPulse), and relevant HR policies throughout projects.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure a safe working environment at all repair locations.
• Ensure discipline, professionalism, and punctuality are maintained across all teams.
• Oversee damage assessments, surveys, and repair scope evaluations as required.
• Provide strategic oversight of resource planning to ensure optimal deployment of personnel across multiple projects.
• Ensure effective utilisation of resources to support timely project delivery within estimated TAT.
• Guide and support Project Managers through delivery challenges, including capacity constraints, sickness, and other workforce-related issues.
• Align operational priorities across projects to maintain consistent delivery performance and organisational resilience.

Candidate Requirements

• Educated to GCSE standard equivalent
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience of heavy maintenance tasks including component replacements, repairs and modifications.
• Demonstrable senior management and leadership experience in a customer-facing engineering environment.
• Strong understanding of aviation regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to operate effectively under pressure in AOG and time-critical situations.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and strategic planning skills.

Why Work with [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk]?

At [Employer hidden], we specialise in aviation recruitment across engineering services and training to airlines, MROs and OEMs, leasing and asset management companies, and component overhaul organisations. With deep industry knowledge and a global network, we match the right talent to the right roles — contract or permanent.

• Industry-leading compliance support
• Fast onboarding and documentation assistance
• Dedicated recruitment consultant
• Placements across the globe
• Extensive experience and knowledge of the aviation sector