At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a diverse engineering team in developing the A220 wing and drive digital transformation.
- Company: Join Airbus Belfast, a leader in sustainable aerospace innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, profit share, flexible hours, and a contributory pension.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of flight while tackling exciting technical challenges.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering with extensive leadership experience in an engineering environment.
The predicted salary is between 61816 - 75552 £ per year.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
- Financial Reward: Competitive salary, annual profit share, contributory pension, share options
- Work / Life Balance: 36 hour week, flexible working around core hours and Friday afternoons off
Step into a pivotal leadership role at Airbus in Belfast as the Head of Engineering for A220 Wing Development, where you will guide a diverse team managing a complex and growing engineering portfolio. As a critical integration leader, you will oversee everything from major industrial modifications and test facility support to pioneering digital transformation initiatives across the wing. This is a unique opportunity to shape the strategic direction of the A220 Wing team, offering an exciting blend of technical challenges, innovative problem-solving, and high-level stakeholder collaboration.
HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE TEAM
- Industrial and Plant Modifications: Deliver Major and Minor Modifications to support development projects and help address Major In-service Problems.
- Test Support: Provide critical assistance to the test facilities ensuring that products meet performance, quality, and reliability standards.
- REACH Projects: Assess and deliver modifications to support the removal of hazardous substances.
- Team Leadership: Lead the team to deliver on all engineering commitments, manage a team of both in-house staff and offload suppliers, and foster an inclusive culture of collaboration and accountability.
- Project and Financial Management: Provide clear project plans, manage resource allocation, monitor financial plans, and control budgets for your portfolio.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a key representative for the A220 wing team, managing relationships with Chief Engineers, Programme, and other key stakeholders.
- Lead Integration: Take the lead on all engineering integration activities within your perimeter.
- Resource Management: Support the Head of Engineering with resource discussions with both Analysis & Design Skill Group Leaders.
- Digital Transformation: Actively engage with the digital transformation in wing engineering to pave the way for new ways of working.
- Problem Solving: Integrate technical inputs from various sources, identify clear priorities, and make informed decisions and recommendations.
ABOUT YOU
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that sufficient detail is provided to demonstrate how they meet essential job criteria, as this alone will be used for vetting purposes.
- A degree (BEng/BSc) in Engineering and a minimum of 10 years' experience in an engineering environment OR a relevant qualification such as HNC in Engineering and a minimum of 15 years' experience in an engineering environment.
- Proven Leadership: You have a proven track record of leading a large engineering or project team (multi-skills team made of Integrators, Static Stress, F&DT, Design and Systems Installation engineers) and delivering on time, cost, and quality.
- Clear Communicator: You can listen, understand, and communicate information clearly, both verbally and in writing. You are able to understand complexity and communicate simplicity.
- Project Manager: You are confident in Project Management principles and can manage multiple topics simultaneously, working to challenging deadlines.
- Influential Leader: You can deliver on commitments through persuasion, negotiation, and influence, and you can make or influence decisions in a complex network of stakeholders.
- Strategic Thinker: You have a creative and strategic mindset and can foster innovation and free thinking.
- Lifelong Learner: You have a strong interest in developing yourself and others and can seize opportunities to grow toward the Wing Architect development path.
- Desirable: Previous experience working in Aerospace.
CLOSING DATE: 9th October 2026
ABOUT US
Join Airbus Belfast - Pioneering Sustainable Aerospace for a Safe and United World. As a premier centre of excellence for advanced aerostructures, our Belfast team drives the complete wing lifecycle - from concept design to in-service support - for the world’s leading aerospace manufacturer. To support major multi-million-pound site investments and expanding operations, we are recruiting talented engineers to scale world-class aerospace innovation into the future.
WHAT WE DO
Global A220 Wing Nerve Centre: Our specialist engineering teams drive the continuous design and technical development of the advanced composite A220 wing. With over 1,100 firm orders from 30+ global customers and 500+ aircraft flying across 25 international operators, Belfast is accelerating production ramp-ups to meet record global demand. By leveraging cutting-edge digital tools, advanced composite materials and automated manufacturing processes, our engineers are actively advancing performance, passenger experience and structural capabilities for the world's most popular single-aisle aircraft in its class.
Iconic Commercial Programmes: Our expertise spans the entire Airbus commercial family, delivering critical innovations from the record-breaking A350-1000 fuel tank integration that enabled the longest flight in history, to the primary structural backbone for the A350F- the world’s most eco-efficient cargo aircraft.
Shape the Future of Flight: To fuel our long-term growth, we are expanding our engineering team in Belfast and seeking specialists across key disciplines, including structural design, stress analysis, aircraft integration and materials & processes.
HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOU
Many of our staff work flexibly in many different ways, including part-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need and we'll always do our best to accommodate your request. Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments for the selection process - you can share this with your Talent Acquisition Partner if you are invited to interview. Examples may include (but not exclusive to) accessible facilities; auxiliary aids; room layout, etc. Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence. As a Disability Confident Employer, Airbus UK will offer an interview to any applicant that considers themselves to have a disability or long-term condition under the Equality Act 2010 and meets the minimum criteria of the role (as set out in the job advert). To 'opt in', just select the option during your application submission and your application will be considered accordingly. Airbus Group is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religious belief.
Head of Engineering - A220 Wing Development employer: Airbus
Airbus Belfast Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises safety, quality, and employee growth. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements and opportunities for continuous improvement in their roles. Located in Belfast, the company fosters collaboration across teams, ensuring that every Tool Maker can contribute meaningfully to innovative projects while developing their skills in a high-precision manufacturing context.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering - A220 Wing Development
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Airbus for a Head of Engineering - A220 Wing Development. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering - A220 Wing Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Airbus, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Airbus, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Airbus
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Airbus.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Airbus. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Airbus love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
