At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage aircraft maintenance plans to ensure safety and compliance while optimising schedules.
- Company: Join Virgin Atlantic, a leading airline with a commitment to safety and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible shifts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diversity and supports your individual needs.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on aviation safety and efficiency in a dynamic role.
- Qualifications: Experience in aircraft maintenance planning and strong organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: On-site at VHQ, Crawley
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week. Shift pattern: 4 days on, 4 days off
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Competitive
Closing Date: 6th July 2026
We review applications on a rolling basis and may close the advert early if we receive a high volume of applications.
In a nutshell
At Virgin Atlantic, our fleet is one of the youngest and most fuel‑efficient in the sky — and keeping it safe, compliant and ready to fly takes careful planning behind the scenes. As Maintenance Planning Engineer, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring our aircraft maintenance programme is delivered efficiently, safely and in full compliance with regulatory requirements. Working closely with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain and Maintenance providers, you’ll balance maintenance requirements with the flying programme, helping maximise aircraft availability while ensuring safety remains at the heart of every decision. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex planning challenges and seeing the direct impact of their work on the operation.
Day to day
- Managing maintenance plans to ensure fleet compliance with approved maintenance programmes and regulatory requirements at all times
- Producing optimised maintenance schedules, balancing operational demands, resource availability, location constraints and safety‑critical requirements
- Compiling and maintaining maintenance work packages and supporting documentation, ensuring checks are delivered accurately and on time
- Monitoring maintenance activity and compliance, adapting plans in response to operational changes and evolving maintenance requirements
- Working closely with Engineering teams, MRO providers, Hangar and Line Maintenance teams to resolve technical and planning queries
- Supporting continuous improvement initiatives, maintaining planning procedures and ensuring effective use of engineering systems and tools
About you
A highly organised and analytical engineering professional, the ideal candidate enjoys working in a fast‑paced operational environment, balancing competing priorities while maintaining an unwavering focus on safety and compliance.
- Experience in aircraft maintenance planning, supported by an engineering apprenticeship, aircraft engineering degree or equivalent qualification
- Strong understanding of CAA Part‑M and Part‑145 regulations, with the ability to apply regulatory requirements in a practical operational environment
- Knowledge of planning and managing safety‑critical maintenance activities, with a strong focus on compliance and risk management
- Excellent organisational and time‑management skills, with the ability to respond effectively to operational changes and tight deadlines
- Strong communication and stakeholder‑management skills, comfortable working across multiple departments and building effective working relationships
If you’re looking for a role where your planning expertise helps keep our fleet flying safely, efficiently and reliably, we’d love to hear from you.
Be yourself – Our differences make us stronger
Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our colleagues. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world – no matter your age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We celebrate difference and everything that makes our colleagues unique by upholding an inclusive environment in which we can all thrive. So that everyone at Virgin Atlantic can be themselves and know they belong.
To make your journey with us accessible and individual to you, we encourage you to let us know if you’d like a little extra help with your application, or if you have any individual requirements at any stage along your recruitment journey. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our team, recruitment@fly.virgin.com feeling confident that we’ve got your individual considerations covered.
Engineer – Maintenance Planning – LHR in Crawley employer: Virgin holidays
At Virgin Atlantic, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values safety, compliance, and innovation. Located at our vibrant VHQ in Crawley, our Maintenance Planning Engineers enjoy a competitive salary, flexible shift patterns, and the opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams across the aviation industry. We are committed to fostering employee growth through continuous improvement initiatives and an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive and contribute to our mission of keeping our fleet flying safely and efficiently.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineer – Maintenance Planning – LHR in Crawley
✨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 Virgin holidays for a Engineer – Maintenance Planning – LHR. 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 Engineer – Maintenance Planning – LHR in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Virgin holidays, 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 Virgin holidays, 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 Virgin holidays
✨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 Virgin holidays.
✨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 Virgin holidays. 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 Virgin holidays love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
