Description
AirTanker is seeking an accomplished aviation maintenance leader to step into the pivotal role of Head of Base Maintenance, overseeing Base Maintenance operations for the Voyager A330 fleet. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced maintenance professional to take ownership of a complex, high‑profile environment where safety, compliance, innovation, and leadership excellence are paramount.
Why AirTanker?
AirTanker is a vital part of the UK’s defence capability, delivering air-to-air refuelling and air transport services to the RAF and MOD. We operate at the intersection of military precision and commercial innovation. As Head of Base Maintenance, you’ll lead all Base Maintenance activity for the Voyager A330 fleet—ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient delivery of A and C Checks. Your leadership, technical oversight, and ability to coordinate across Engineering, CAMO, and Line Maintenance will drive operational readiness and fleet reliability. Through strong decision‑making and a focus on continuous improvement, you’ll ensure AirTanker maintains world‑class maintenance standards.
What's in it for you?
* Leadership Impact: Drive the strategic direction of Base Maintenance operations, influencing fleet availability, safety, and long‑term engineering performance.
* Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work closely with CAMO, Line Maintenance, and operational stakeholders, developing strong partnerships across engineering disciplines.
* Team Development: Lead, mentor, and grow a multi‑disciplined civilian and military workforce, strengthening leadership and people‑management capability.
* Strategic Exposure: Engage at senior levels across the business, contributing to engineering strategy, operational planning, and organisational development.
* Comprehensive Benefits: Including private medical insurance, bonus scheme, EV scheme, contributory pension, and more
* Adventure & Belonging: Battlefield tours, adventure training, and family fun days
What you'll be doing
* Oversee all Base Maintenance activities ensuring full compliance with UK CAA Part 145 / MRP 145 regulatory requirements.
* Establish, maintain, and continually develop all Base Maintenance elements of the Maintenance Organisation Exposition (MOE) and associated procedures.
* Lead the performance, quality and delivery of Base A and C Checks, ensuring efficient inputs aligned with operational requirements.
* Manage and develop a multi‑disciplined team of military and civilian maintenance professionals—driving performance, competency, workforce planning, and a strong safety culture.
* Coordinate resource utilisation across Base and Line Maintenance, maintaining seamless handovers and supporting operational demands including deployed operations.
* Act as the Nominated Deputy Part‑145 Post Holder, ensuring robust continuing airworthiness oversight.
* Champion continuous improvement, embedding simple, effective process flows and maximising the use of Envision and other key systems.
* Build strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, CAMO, and Primary Sub‑Contractors to deliver high‑quality maintenance output.
* Promote a proactive “Just Culture” and uphold AirTanker’s values of Safety, Integrity, Commitment, One Team, and Innovation
What you'll bring
* Extensive leadership experience within a UK CAA Part 145 approved Base Maintenance organisation, managing multi‑disciplinary engineering teams.
* Degree‑level education or a Part‑66 Licence (or equivalent).
* Strong capability in developing processes, driving continuous improvement, and enhancing maintenance performance.
* Experience in MoD aviation environments (desirable).
* Experience on A330 aircraft (desirable).
AirTanker is a flexible and responsive world leading aviation service provider. Our capability spans across end-to-end maintenance, military and civil flying programmes, training and major aircraft upgrades.