How to become an Aircraft Engineer

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by Nathan Baldwin on

Aircraft Engineers are some of the most highly skilled practitioners in the aviation industry. The role can often incorporate multiple disciplines and skillets in areas such as: aircraft aerodynamics, navigation communications, electrical or electronics engineering etc. 

As a result engineers can often be expected to work on the development of new equipment as well general maintenance. Ultimately their role is relevant to every part of an aircraft's life, from development to maintenance.

 

What qualifications will I need?

Aircraft Engineer, or as they are sometimes referred to, Aircraft Technician roles require practitioners to possess a wide range of skills and relevant qualifications. Typically, the aviation authorities state that in order to become a licensed Aircraft Engineer, candidates must have at least a foundation degree or higher national diploma in engineering or an equivalent subject.

Having a qualification such as this will allow you to progress within your career to gain practical experience and attain an industry recognised qualification. A category B license is a common qualification that almost every Aircraft Engineer must attain. This qualification is awarded by the Civil Aviation Authority CAA. Qualifications such as these are industry recognised and are important to have for when you want to progress within your career.

 

What are industry recognised licenses?

‘Part 66’ refers to European legislation for certifying licensed aircraft engineers in EASA member states, including the UK. It consists of three categories:

Category A – this basic license allows the holder to carry out basic inspections and maintenance to identify simple rectifications. This is a standard qualification typically attained at the early stages of an Aircraft Engineers’ career.

Category B – the category B qualification is arguably the most important qualification to attain for industry practitioners. The standard licence for practitioners consists of two categories: 

B1 (mechanics – engines, air-frames etc.) and B2 (avionics – instrumentation, electrical/ electronic equipment).

Category B licences require more in-depth aircraft maintenance knowledge than category A.

Category C – this license is typically awarded to senior engineers or engineers who hold a B1 or B2 license. It allows the holder to issue certificates of release to service following base maintenance on any aircraft (when the aircraft is stripped down for complete service and overhaul).

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How will I progress within my career?

As the role of an Aircraft Engineer can be so varied, many engineers choose to specialise in one aspect of the role and become specialists in that area later in their career. Focusing on a certain area can sometimes make it easier to progress within your career.

Here are some common specialist careers:

  • Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
  • Aircraft Engineering Technician
  • Aeronautical Engineer
  • Airworthiness Engineer
  • Electronics Technician
  • Weapons Technician

 

Average salary of an Aircraft Engineer

The average salary of an Aircraft Engineer in the UK can vary depending on level of experience and area of specialisms. For entry level engineers or apprentices, the average salary in the UK is around £20,000 whilst for more experienced engineers the average salary is around £30,000 - £35,000.

For specialist engineers with around ten years’ experience, the average salary is around £50,000 - £60,000.

 

Apply for Aircraft Engineer Jobs today

At Morson we specialise in recruiting for some of the UK's most exciting Aerospace Engineering jobs, we ensure that every candidate we place is best suited for the role. Our wealth of experience and expertise has allowed us to build strong working relationships with many organisations, enabling us to recruit for a variety of exciting and exclusive Aircraft Engineering jobs.

Whether you are just starting off in your Aerospace career or are an experienced engineer who would like to progress, at Morson we can help find the right role for you. Search all of our available Aerospace jobs here.

 

Cx Jobs

Integrated Support Engineers (AW101/159/LYNX Bulletins)

A leading Aerospace and Defence client based in Yeovil Somerset are recruiting for several Technical Authors/ Intregrated support/ILS/Service Bulletin engineers. Backgrounds from AW101/159/LYNX would we welcomed, ideally with some level of experience of technical publications.The primary role of the Integrated Support Engineer Airworthiness/Bulletins is to support the Principal Engineer Airworthiness and Service Bulletins Co-ordinator in the effective delivery of airworthiness documentation across the business spectrum from our supply base to end customer to ensure corrective actions are controlled and instigated, resulting in formal company airworthiness documentation is issued to ensure LHD in service aircraft fleet is maintained in an airworthy manner .Ensure the work is performed in accordance with departmental procedures DPR.CSU.15.12 KEY JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES%ofTimeEmployees· You are responsible for ensuring that activities under your control are undertaken in accordance with the requirements set out in the AWL SHE Policy, Health & Safety Operating manual, Health, Safety & Environment Management System Manual (HSE MSM). These documents identify your key responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Environmental Protection Act and other relevant HS&E legislation.·Specific responsibilities for Employees are detailed within HSE MSM Section 8.7 - Employees Main Activities· Produce Technical Instructions as a consequence of airworthiness data from all areas of the business to manage the correct mitigating actions are controlled to ensure the customer base is informed in a timely manner of all airworthiness information and required corrective actions as appropriate.· Maintain and as required liaise with all stakeholders to successfully close the issuing of aircraft inspections or modification instructions to reduce the cost of ownership of the aircraft, and control the implementation of product enhancements.· Manage your individual activities, its dependencies to ensure completion of the related tasks against priorities from an airworthiness perspective and aircraft delivery, to ensure the LMW fleet is delivered and maintained in an airworthy manner.· Provide and maintain complete workload status reports to ensure performance metrics can be produced.· Support the business with the expert technical process knowledge for the delivery of the correct airworthiness technical information in a timely manner to limit the amount of business exposure. Thus reducing the overall operating costs of the business by ensuring a cost effective solution is promulgated to the customer base, whilst maintaining fleet availability.·Ensure the associated Technical Instructions are developed in accordance with all relevant departmental procedures and company operating system, and ensure any recommendations for continued improvement are highlighted to the management team.· You are responsible for taking reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work and to co-operate with managers, supervisors and others to enable the company to meet its statutory obligations for health, safety and environment. 10% 90% ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCEEducated to at least HNC level in a relevant aviation related subject. Alternatively, to have completed a recognized engineering apprenticeship followed by a period of employment in all aspects of aircraft maintenance and overhaul, sufficient to gain the necessary practical experience for the job roleAircraft engineering and/or aircraft Technical Publications experience.Knowledge of Air Publication specifications e.g. ASD Spec 1000D, MilSpec1388 LSAR, DADS, DAvP 70/77, ATA02/90, ATA100, etc. An understanding of Airworthiness and Flight Safety regulations and requirementsKnowledge of technical authoring and production tools e.g. Framemaker, Eagle Publishing System (EPS) and CAPS2000.Good understanding of LMW Helicopter productsExcellent understanding of engineering drawings and use Dassault Enovia, with an understanding of the configuration management system and process.Good inter-personal skills.Keyboard skills, a working knowledge of computers and computer system applications.Written communication skills, the ability to document results from the audits performed and documenting validation reports and plans.Highly self-motivated and able to work as part of an integrated team as well as independently

 PMO Lead

Our client BAE Systems Barrow is recruiting Project Support Office Leads to lead a team in achieving programme goals and performance targets. Candidates MUST be proficient userS of EVM tools and techniques. For the foreseeable future this will likely be remote working rather than on site at Barrow. The Project Support Office Lead will be accountable for interpretations of data and information, acting as an enabler in the decision making process.The role involves but is not limited to the following:Work with the Project Control's management team in defining Project Controls Processes/Organisation for the Programme/ Projects.Provide support into Control Account Managers with the most complex accounts to enable effective management of costs, schedule, risks and opportunities and resources across whole Projects.Provide analysis of Earned Value Management (EVM) Data and variance reporting to the CAM populationLead and manage the production of various Project/Programme reports, using a variety of Software/Reporting Techniques and accountable for robust metrics and management reports required for the CAM Review process and CSR Reviews. Provide support, expertise and advice on data analysis and forecasting to Senior Management. Provide expertise in project planning, monitoring and control tools, techniques and procedures to Programme teams and Cost Account Managers.Lead improvement initiatives within the organisation in particular assist in establishing a robust project control culture within the business. Lead on System/Process development and creation, distribution and analysis of ad hoc reports.Accountable for supporting the CAM's in defining the work content of the control account (Statement of work) to support resource estimating. Accountable for providing timely inputs to the Company BRP Process to ensure required resource is available to carry out the defined scope of work. Accountable for analysis and reporting on cost and schedule performance in line with monthly CAM reviews and support completion of arising actions. Ensure integrity of overall Project data.Ensure general governance for all Project Controls processes; including Work Packages [Open/Close/Data Validation etc] at appropriate - authorised level and; regular cost and schedule baseline maintenance and support through the Performance Measurement Baseline Change Request (PMBCR) process. Accountable for production of Programme Information, analysing, identifying and communicating areas for continuous improvement. Lead, develop and motivate any reporting and assigned staff through good communication and honest open management techniques in keeping with company values, policies and procedures and Take responsibility and accountability for the performance management of the team [including PDR's, ESM, performance reviews etc] in line with the company process. Work with Cost Engineering and Finance in the development of accurate estimates in support of bids, annual budgets or cost to completion and analyse "spend to date" data. To be able to access, have a clear understanding of and apply the Quality and HS&E Management System documentation e.g. Process Instructions, Workmanship Standards, Risk Assessments etc. applicable to particular work scope and to obey all HS&E rules.Key Attributes Foundation Degree / HNC / HND / Certificate in Project Management or equivalent level of qualification Highly skilled in the use of Microsoft packages LCM Awareness Proficient user of EVM Tools and TechniquesRecognising the RESTRICTED nature of the work, suitable candidates will be SC cleared or eligible for this level of clearance. SC must be in place before start date.Please do not apply if your experience does not match the job spec above but please visit our website to view other roles.Due to the volume of CVs received if you have not had a response within 48 hours please take it that your application will not be progressed.

 Finishing Operative

Looking for 4 finishing operatives able to install: * plasterboard, * a wraptite membrane * and a sealant strip to the inside of a commercial building in SW London

 SPC - Site Person in Charge - Rail Construction

Working on a project to replace sidings and increase the number of roads, a civils gang to support the site manager and construction team to ensure that the daily operation and safety of the site is kept correct and in line with the safe systems of work. At times there will be a requirement to assist the track gang in the planned works on site. The majority of these works is planned for Monday to Friday 07:30 to 15:30Essential* Hold ICI-LU Licence* Hold LU Basic Track Awareness(BTA)* Hold Site Person In Charge (SPC)Desirab;e* Previous Experience in construction projects and the construction environment* Previous Experience in working with machinery and on track vehicles* All trained/Competent in Cat Scanning RD 8000* All trained/Competent in Banksman/Slinging* All trained/Competent in working from height* All trained/Competent in Disc Saw & Concrete Saw cutting* All trained/Competent in Belle Mixers/ Concrete Mixing* All Hand Arm Vibration trained* At least 1 No. First Aider* All fully face fitted staff
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