At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team maintaining aircraft for the iconic Red Arrows aerobatic team.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in engineering and defence.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, pension schemes, and health consultations.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aviation while developing future professionals.
- Qualifications: Experience in aircraft maintenance and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40057 - 48959 £ per year.
Location: Lincolnshire, England
Compensation: £41,871 + £4,500 Shift Allowance + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Lead the engineering team behind one of the world's most iconic aerobatic display teams. At Babcock, we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as an Aircraft Maintenance Team Leader at RAF Waddington, near Lincoln, Lincolnshire.
The role:
As an Aircraft Maintenance Team Leader, you'll play a critical role in supporting the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows. Working within a unique operational environment, you'll lead and manage a team of aviation professionals responsible for maintaining aircraft airworthiness and ensuring the highest standards of safety, performance, and engineering excellence.
This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced aviation leader to combine technical expertise with people management responsibilities while supporting one of the most recognised aviation teams in the world. You'll contribute directly to operational success, lead continuous improvement initiatives, and help develop the next generation of aircraft maintenance professionals.
Day-to-day, you will be:
- Leading and managing aircraft maintenance personnel to ensure safe and effective engineering operations.
- Maintaining the highest standards of workmanship and regulatory compliance within a Military Aviation Authority approved environment.
- Supporting personnel management activities, including absence management, welfare support, and team development.
- Monitoring engineering competency and experience records to ensure personnel remain compliant and current.
- Coordinating manpower support and engineering resources for UK and overseas detachments.
This role is full time and based on site at RAF Waddington. Shift patterns operate Monday to Friday with a mixture of early and late shifts, with exact timings discussed during the interview process.
Essential experience:
- Significant supervisory or management experience within an aircraft maintenance environment.
- Strong knowledge of aviation engineering operations and airworthiness requirements.
- Experience working with Quality Management Systems and Air Safety Management Systems.
- Senior leadership or management experience with responsibility for people, performance, and operational delivery.
- Experience promoting Health, Safety and Environmental standards and driving a positive safety culture.
Qualifications:
- City & Guilds Level 3 qualification in an aircraft-related discipline, or equivalent.
- Level 4 Diploma or NVQ Level 4 in Management and Leadership, or equivalent experience.
- Experience supporting Hawk aircraft or comparable fast-jet platforms (desirable).
Security Clearance:
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) security clearance for this role. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held.
What we offer:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
- Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
- Employee shopping savings portal
- Payment of Professional Fees
- Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
- Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement.
- ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity.
Babcock is a global FTSE 100 organisation with over 26,000 people working together to make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we’re building a future that lasts — not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance.
We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.
Closing date: 14/08/2026
Aircraft Maintenance Team Leader employer: Babcock International
Babcock International is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the Rosyth site in Scotland, where you can contribute to impactful construction and infrastructure projects. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we provide ongoing training and development opportunities, alongside a collaborative culture that prioritises safety and compliance. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and supports your career advancement in the engineering field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Aircraft Maintenance Team Leader
✨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 Babcock International for a Aircraft Maintenance Team Leader. 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 Aircraft Maintenance Team Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Babcock International, 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 Babcock International, 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 Babcock International
✨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 Babcock International.
✨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 Babcock International. 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 Babcock International love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
