Supervisor (Mechanical (GFP)-Rotary
Serco Limited About the role
Location: RNAS Culdrose, Helston, TR12 7RH
Salary: Competitive salary plus excellent benefits
Schedule: 38 hours per week
As a Supervisor Aircraft Engineer (Mechanical) in our Serco Defence team, you'll play a key role in ensuring Merlin Aircraft or Off Aircraft Workshop activities are delivered safely, effectively, and to the high standards required by the Ministry of Defence. Your work will help ensure aircraft critical to national defence remain available, airworthy, and dependable - making a meaningful impact on colleagues, communities, and national capability. You’ll help create impactful solutions by supporting operational output, maintaining safety and regulatory compliance, and helping colleagues grow through guidance, training, and mentoring. Your contribution will directly support our purpose - to impact a better future through trusted work that touches lives.
What you’ll do as a Supervisor Aircraft Engineer (Mechanical)
- Ensure employees are authorised to carry out contracted tasks in line with Customer Regulations and Procedures.
- Make sure all contracted engineering tasks follow current policy, regulatory standards, and statutory requirements.
- Monitor work to ensure tasks are completed safely, correctly, and within required timelines.
- Flag business risks, customer complaints, and quality concerns to Departmental Management.
- Support the development of colleagues by identifying training needs and providing mentoring when requested.
- Promote compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, environmental procedures, the Serco Naval Air Command Unit Manual, Customer Regulations, and the Serco Management System.
Does this sound like you?
You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have:
Essential
- Recognised supervisory qualification(s) on any aircraft type, supported by experience on mechanical aircraft systems/components.
- Recognised supervisory qualification(s) supported by experience from a related industry.
Desirable
- At least 6 months’ experience working on Merlin aircraft or relevant components within the last 24 months.
- A Service Certificate of Competency or successful completion of the Serco Supervisory Management and Documentation Course and CofC Board.
- Strong supervisory experience with solid knowledge of Merlin systems, support equipment, planning processes, and technical publications.
- A good understanding of health and safety, COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health), tool control, and quality practices.
- Completion of a Maintenance Human Factors Course.
Vetting and checks:
This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, depending on the nature of the role, you will need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.
Discover all you need to keep growing
We're one of the top 1% of international employers, so you can have confidence you'll be part of a highly supportive culture with leaders you can count on to help you achieve your goals. From mentoring and training to our focus on internal progression, we're proud to offer clear development opportunities - and the support and tools to help you seize them.
What we offer
- Holidays: 29 days plus bank holidays (and the option to buy up to five additional leave days each year)
- Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (including L3 Team Leader and L5 Operations Manager apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
- Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
- Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
- Charity: Tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
- Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds.
Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.
Your tasks
Lead and mentor a team ensuring aircraft maintenance meets high safety standards.
Your profile
Supervisory qualifications in aircraft engineering and relevant experience required.
What's also included
Enjoy competitive salary, 29 days holiday, and extensive training opportunities.
Tech stack & ways of working
Supervisor (Mechanical (GFP)-Rotary employer: Serco Limited
Serco Limited is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Waterlooville where innovation meets national security. With a strong focus on employee development through comprehensive training programs and a generous benefits package including 25 days of holiday and a contributory pension scheme, Serco fosters a culture of collaboration and growth, making it an ideal place for Electronics & Hardware Engineers to thrive and contribute meaningfully to defence technology.
Your perspectives
Make a real impact on national defence while developing your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Serco Limited.
Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Serco Limited love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Serco Limited and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise
In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples
Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications
Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role
Don’t forget to customise your CV for Serco Limited and the Supervisor (Mechanical (GFP)-Rotary role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco Limited
Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Serco Limited.
Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Serco Limited.
Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Serco Limited, making you a more appealing candidate.
