Mechanical Trade Lead

Role Overview

The Mechanical Trade Lead will serve as an experienced Mechanical Technician and supervisor reporting directly to the Forward Deputy Maintenance Manager (FDMM). This role requires thorough knowledge of approved maintenance data and competence in overseeing personnel executing maintenance tasks under the organization's regulatory framework.

The individual will act as deputy for the FDMM and Rectification Controllers during their absences, assuming their responsibilities as necessary.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the daily deployment of mechanical trade personnel and equipment in forward maintenance, aligning with policies set by the Maintenance Manager to ensure the safe availability of serviceable aircraft for flight operations.
• Inform the FDMM promptly about any engineering or supply challenges that might compromise flight safety or disrupt the flight schedule.
• Alert the FDMM to any procedures or systems that could jeopardize the quality or safety of the forward maintenance logistics effort.
• Ensure all team members are adequately trained, authorized, and maintain required currency levels for their duties, keeping meticulous training and authorization records.
• Supervise comprehensive handovers of technical and managerial information via the Trade Diary to the succeeding shifts.
• Guarantee completion of mandatory training requirements such as Human Factors and Certificate of Competency courses.
• Facilitate timely training and authorization of new mechanical trade personnel to enable effective performance of their duties.
• Maintain incident team readiness for mechanical maintenance during flight operations.
• Organize manpower shift schedules to fulfill the flight program and oversee personnel administrative submissions such as leave planning.
• Monitor the submission of Technical Publication Request Forms (TPRFs) to ensure data accuracy and currency.
• Inspect mechanical facilities to identify and report defects to Support and Training Management.
• Assess performance standards of mechanical personnel and ensure proper use of approved data in forward maintenance.
• Coordinate between Mechanical Trade Desks, Maintenance Operations, Squadron Operations and Fleet Planning for appropriate aircraft allocation and integration of maintenance and operational activities.
• Conduct scheduled oversight checks across all forward mechanical maintenance areas and report findings to the FDMM.
• Perform weekly quality audits on mechanical trade standards and practices, both physical and electronic.

Additional Duties

• Serve as the mechanical trade point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
• Execute assignments as directed by the FDMM.
• Collaborate with the FDMM on strategic mechanical reviews, challenge existing practices, and support initiatives to enhance efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Work with Forward Maintenance Managers to compile and distribute mechanical flight safety and ground incident reports alongside required follow-up documentation.
• Coordinate with training and support management to complete mechanical quality assurance (QA) audit reports within deadlines.
• Identify and report mechanical malpractices affecting aircraft airworthiness to the FDMM or relevant authorities.

Key Performance Accountabilities

• Manage regulatory compliance by setting delivery objectives, overseeing progress, and implementing performance improvement plans.
• Ensure mechanical trade team adherence to Part 145 Exposition procedures, company standards, and applicable policies, initiating changes as needed.
• Promote Human Factors, error management, risk mitigation, and safety assurance practices within the team.
• Assure proper documentation of Part 145 mechanical activities and maintain accurate airworthiness records.
• Support quality management system assurance, facilitate audit processes, address findings promptly, and implement corrective actions.
• Demonstrate understanding of applicable airworthiness, ITAR, EaPW, ISO and other regulatory frameworks and maintain compliance.
• Adhere strictly to all contractual obligations related to the role.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Must hold essential authorisations including Asset Manager, coordination of Aircraft and Maintenance Work Orders (MWOs), managing PMDS data transfers and issue resolution, independent inspections, aircraft towing (Typhoon), and assessor responsibilities for general and trade-specific certifications.
• Completion of an Engineering Apprenticeship preferably in Aeronautical Engineering or an equivalent military apprenticeship/qualification.
• Minimum academic qualifications include City & Guilds 2675 or 2661 in Aeronautical Engineering and Maintenance or equivalent.
• Aircraft platform training pertaining to operational aircraft is required.
• At least 2 years prior supervisory experience before undertaking this role.
• Instructional skills for on-the-job training delivery.
• Extensive technical knowledge and competency in the field, with an understanding of team integration and continuous improvement practices.
• Completion of Typhoon Mechanical Trade 'Q' Course or equivalent certification.
• Compliance with risk assessments, Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) policies, and procedures.
• Completion of Human Factors, Explosives & Pyrotechnics (E&PW), ITAR awareness standard courses.
• Proficient IT skills.
• Possession of a valid driving license.