Engineering job at JMC Aviation - Head of Engineering Operations

Head of Engineering Operations

Job Description:

Job Title: Head of Engineering Operations
Location: Exeter
Employment Type: Permanent

Benefits:

Competitive Basic Salary
Company Quarterly Bonus Scheme (following successful completion of a probationary period)
Company stretch bonus opportunities, offering up to an additional 25 bonus
Full-time hours (8.30am – 5.30pm / 9.00am – 6.00pm)
Team BBQs and staff days, incorporating family and partners
A strong benefits package including:
Private Healthcare
Life Cover
Income Protection
Cycle to Work Scheme

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
The Role:

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
Essential:

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.

Desirable

B1/B2 licence desirable but not essential.

Why Work with JMC Aviation?
At JMC Aviation, 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

How to Apply
Submit your up-to-date CV, along with copies of right to work documents to megan.collyerjmc-aviation.com

Compliance & Equal Opportunities
JMC Aviation is committed to equal opportunity and diversity in the workplace. All applicants will be considered based on merit, qualification, and business need, regardless of age, gender, nationality, or background. We operate in full compliance with global aviation recruitment regulations.
GDPR
In applying for the above position and sharing your personal data with JMC Aviation Limited, you acknowledge that your personal data will be processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy (found on our website).

Job Ident #: 73409

Company Details

JMC Aviation

Unit 1003
1243 Islington Ave
Etobicoke, Ontario M8X 1Y9 Canada
www.jmc-aviation.com/north-america/

As a trusted provider of global aviation manpower and talent services, we are responsible for supplying more than 1200 highly skilled engineers every week. We have airline, MRO and manufacturing clients all over the globe.

(Job and company information not to be copied, shared, scraped, or otherwise disseminated/distributed without explicit consent of JSfirm, LLC)

Job Info

Location

Exeter, England, United Kingdom

Type

Permanent

Company Details

JMC Aviation

Unit 1003
1243 Islington Ave
Etobicoke, Ontario M8X 1Y9 Canada
www.jmc-aviation.com/north-america/