Engineering Technician in Carterton

Location: RAF Brize Norton, Carterton, Oxfordshire, OX18 3LX

Salary: Salary Dependent on Responsibilities, Skills & Experience

Schedule: FT/Perm/40 hours per week (Mon-Fri)

Shift Pattern: 2 weeks Day Shifts (08:00–17:00), 1 week of 4 Evening Shifts (Mon–Thu, 16:00–02:00)

About the Role

Due to a contract upgrade, we are growing our engineering team. We want to hear from you if you have experience or qualifications in:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Fabrication Engineering

Experience in aircraft environments is beneficial but not essential. This is a hands-on engineering role supporting the structural integrity, reliability, and serviceability of RAF Brize Norton’s C-17 Globemaster aircraft. You will carry out structural assessments, structural engineering repairs, metallic component work, and fabrication of parts. Tasks take place both in the engineering workshop and on the aircraft, including working at height and in confined spaces.

At RAF Brize Norton— the RAF’s largest operational base — Serco has delivered multi-activity engineering support since 1997. As part of this team, you will contribute directly to air mobility operations that enable global RAF commitments. For the successful candidate, Serco will provide an intensive two-week specialist aircraft structural hand-skills course, followed by additional on-the-job training within our workshop. This development programme covers riveting, precision engineering hand skills, working to tight tolerances, and sheet metal fabrication, ensuring you gain the practical capability required to excel in the role.

Main Accountabilities

As an Engineering Structures Technician, you will:

• Conduct structural and mechanical assessments, damage evaluations, and fault finding.
• Perform engineering repairs, including component changes, structural restoration, corrosion treatment, fabrication, and precision re-work.
• Operate workshop machinery, mechanical tools, and fabrication equipment.
• Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical manuals.
• Use engineering IT systems to access technical data, update maintenance records, and manage workflows.
• Produce accurate engineering documentation ensuring full traceability.
• Collaborate with colleagues and other specialist engineering teams to deliver high-quality outputs.
• Ensure all work meets compliance, certification, and airworthiness standards.

What You Need to Do the Job

Practical experience in mechanical, structural, fabrication, or precision engineering. A recognised Engineering or Aviation Engineering BTEC/ONC/NVQ, equivalent qualification, or a relevant military engineering course. Aircraft experience is advantageous, but engineers from other industries are strongly encouraged to apply.

What we offer

• Metal fabrication and repair hand skills course with On-the-job-training.
• Salary: Competitive salaries with annual reviews.
• Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme.
• Holidays: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Training and development: We offer a wide range of learning opportunities with over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.

Due to the nature of the organisation, all employees of Serco are required to be security cleared to SC level. If successful in your application, we would support you with the SC process. As a guideline only, you would normally need to have been a UK resident for the last 5 consecutive years. Further confirmation can be found on the National Security Vetting (NSV) website.

If you have not been a UK resident for the last 5 consecutive years, please be prepared to request an Overseas Criminal Records Check for these countries as you will be asked to provide this for referencing and security checks if you are successful.

All prospective employees of Serco specifically those who apply for safety sensitive roles, may be subject to drug and alcohol testing. At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. As a proud Disability Confident Leader and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard, disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.