At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead aircraft maintenance, ensuring airworthiness and managing customer relationships.
- Company: Join Tatenhill Aviation, a trusted name in Staffordshire's flying scene since 1987.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days annual leave, type rating support, and discounts on flying courses.
- Other info: Be part of a small, dynamic team where your ideas truly matter.
- Why this job: Shape the future of our maintenance department and make a real impact in aviation.
- Qualifications: Must hold a UK CAA or EASA Part 66 B1 licence with hands-on experience.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
About Tatenhill
Tatenhill Aviation has been part of the Staffordshire flying scene since 1987. From our base at Tatenhill Airfield — six miles west of Burton-upon-Trent — we run a busy CAA‑approved flight training organisation, offer aircraft hire and hangarage, and operate a commercial maintenance and continuing airworthiness department serving both our own fleet and a diverse range of privately owned aircraft. We’re a small, hands‑on team where good people get to make a real difference. Our maintenance department is a UK CAA Part CAO approved operation, and we are now actively investing in growing it — building new systems and processes, progressing towards Part-145 approval, and expanding the range and volume of work we take on.
The Opportunity
This is a senior hands‑on engineering role with genuine scope to shape how a busy GA maintenance operation runs. We are growing our capability, investing in new systems, and progressing towards Part-145 approval — and the engineer who joins now will be at the centre of that, with real input into the standards and working practices we build. We are looking for someone ambitious rather than comfortable. GA offers something most engineering roles do not: variety, direct relationships with aircraft owners, and the satisfaction of working on aircraft you care about — alongside a straightforward Monday‑to‑Friday, days‑only working pattern with no shifts and no nights.
What you’ll do
At the core of the role is your B1 certification authority — signing the Certificate of Release to Service and taking responsibility for the airworthiness of every aircraft that leaves our hangar. Everything else flows from that. A significant part of the work is customer aircraft. Private owners, flying clubs, and operators from across the region bring their planes to us for annual inspections, 50‑hour services, engine work, defect investigations, and pre‑purchase surveys. You will manage that work from booking‑in to handback, keeping owners well informed and the standard high. The variety of types and the directness of those client relationships is one of the best parts of working in GA. Alongside customer work, you will maintain our own training fleet — Cessna 152s, 172s, and PA‑28s — and work with the CAMO team on continuing airworthiness and ARC renewals. You will also play an active role in implementing new systems and working practices as we develop the department, and in our progression towards Part-145 approval. There is a junior team around you. You will help develop them — not through formal programmes, but by working alongside them and holding the standard. Your paperwork, your approach to defect investigation, your attitude to the job: all of it sets the tone.
What you’ll bring
- Essential
- A current UK CAA or EASA Part 66 B1 licence, with at least Full Group 3 type ratings
- Solid hands‑on experience on general aviation piston aircraft
- High personal standards — your documentation is as good as your engineering
- Clear communicator, comfortable dealing directly with aircraft owners and keeping them well informed
- Ambitious about quality — motivated to improve how things are done, not just maintain the status quo
- Self‑directed and dependable — manages their own workload and follows through without being chased
- Right to work in the UK and able to commute to Tatenhill five days a week
- Desirable
- B1.1 (turbine) ratings in addition to B1.2
- Experience conducting or assisting with ARC reviews
- Experience with structural repairs, aircraft rebuilds, or restoration work
- You fly yourself, or have done — you understand what getting an aircraft back quickly means to an owner
- Experience in a small or independent MRO, flying school, or GA maintenance environment
- Familiarity with CAA Part CAO or CAMO requirements and continuing airworthiness processes
- Any involvement in regulatory approval development (Part-145, Part-CAO, or equivalent)
- Experience with MRO or maintenance management software
What we offer
- 31 days annual leave including 23 days plus 8 statutory bank holidays
- Type rating support training into additional ratings relevant to the fleet and to your development
- A real progression pathway — as the department grows, so does the seniority and scope of this role
- Monday to Friday, 08:30 – 17:30
- Staff PPL course or aircraft hire discount — a meaningful reduction on PPL courses or self‑fly hire rates at Tatenhill, for engineers who want to fly
- Tatenhill Membership— access to the full Tatenhill member community and facilities
- A small team where your work is visible, your judgement is trusted, and your ideas can actually change how things are done
B1 Licensed Aircraft Engineer employer: Tatenhill Aviation
Tatenhill Aviation is an exceptional employer for B1 Licensed Aircraft Engineers, offering a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of a growing general aviation maintenance operation. With a supportive work culture that values hands-on contributions and direct relationships with aircraft owners, employees benefit from a clear progression pathway, generous annual leave, and the chance to influence new systems and practices in a small, dynamic team. Located just six miles from Burton-upon-Trent, Tatenhill provides a fulfilling work-life balance with a straightforward Monday-to-Friday schedule, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land B1 Licensed Aircraft Engineer
✨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 Tatenhill Aviation for a B1 Licensed Aircraft Engineer. 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 B1 Licensed Aircraft Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Tatenhill Aviation, 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 Tatenhill Aviation, 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 Tatenhill Aviation
✨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 Tatenhill Aviation.
✨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 Tatenhill Aviation. 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 Tatenhill Aviation love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
