Lead Mechanic in Darlington

Lead Mechanic in Darlington

Darlington Full-Time 40000 - 49015 £ / year (est.) On-site
Willis Aviation

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Perform aircraft maintenance and support a skilled team in a dynamic environment.
  • Company: Join Willis Aviation Services Limited at Teesside International Airport, a growing aviation company.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, health plans, and career development opportunities.
  • Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive, inclusive culture await you.
  • Why this job: Be part of a modern maintenance team focused on safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
  • Qualifications: Aeronautical qualification and 4 years' experience in aircraft maintenance required.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 49015 £ per year.

Description

Willis Aviation Services Limited (WASL) is continuing to grow, and we're looking for experienced

Lead Mechanics to join our Base Maintenance team at Teesside International Airport.

We are looking for experienced Lead Mechanics, including those with Sheet Metal expertise and those with a Cabin maintenance focus, to join our growing Base Maintenance team.

Working alongside our Licensed Aircraft Engineers (LAEs) and Crew Chiefs, you'll play a key role in delivering high-quality aircraft maintenance, repair and modification activities, ensuring maintenance inputs are completed safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.

Requirements

  • What you'll be doing
  • Perform aircraft maintenance, repair and modification tasks.
  • Support the Licensed Aircraft Engineers (LAEs) with maintenance activities.
  • Assist the Crew Chief with work allocation and day-to-day coordination of maintenance activities.
  • Maintain awareness of work pack requirements, maintenance progress and critical path activities to help achieve turnaround targets.
  • Read, interpret and apply maintenance manuals, service bulletins, engineering drawings, task cards and other technical documentation.
  • Complete maintenance documentation accurately and assist with defect reporting.
  • Investigate and order required aircraft spares.
  • Ensure compliance with the Maintenance Organisation Exposition (MOE), company procedures and Health & Safety requirements.
  • Promote a positive safety culture through hazard reporting and continuous improvement.
  • Support general housekeeping and maintenance of the facility when required.
  • Carry out any additional duties as directed by the Base Maintenance Manager.

What we're looking for

  • Aeronautical apprenticeship or recognised qualification in Aircraft Maintenance.
  • Minimum

4 years' aircraft maintenance experience .

  • Practical experience across mechanical, structural and powerplant maintenance disciplines.
  • Knowledge of aircraft maintenance standards and the ability to use aircraft maintenance data.
  • Initial Human Factors (HF), Fuel Tank Safety (FTS) and Electrical Wiring Interconnect System (EWIS) training.
  • Excellent attention to detail and a methodical approach to completing work orders and task cards.
  • Ability to prioritise workloads and work effectively in a fast-paced maintenance environment.
  • Flexible approach to working hours to meet operational requirements.
  • Strong team player with excellent communication skills.
  • Good written and spoken English.

Benefits

What we offer

  • Competitive salary
  • 5-5-4 shift pattern
  • 33 days' annual leave (including bank holidays), with the option to buy or sell up to 3 additional days each year
  • Employee Health Cash Plan
  • Discretionary Bonus Scheme
  • Life Assurance
  • Pension Scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
  • Employee Discount Scheme
  • Willis VIP Employee Recognition Programme
  • Excellent Employee Referral Bonus Scheme
  • Electric Vehicle Leasing Scheme
  • Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Personal development and career development opportunities
  • Recognition and long-service awards
  • Free on-site parking
  • Supportive, inclusive and collaborative working culture

Why join WASL?

As our maintenance operation continues to expand, there's never been a better time to join Willis Aviation Services Limited.

You'll become part of a highly skilled team working in a modern maintenance environment where safety, quality and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do.

If you're ready to take the next step in your aviation career, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and become part of the WASL team.

Willis Aviation Services Limited is an equal opportunities employer.

All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references and a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check where applicable.

Lead Mechanic in Darlington employer: Willis Aviation

Willis Aviation is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at Teesside International Airport where innovation meets excellence in aircraft maintenance. With a comprehensive benefits package that includes 33 days of annual leave and flexible working arrangements, employees are empowered to achieve a healthy work-life balance while advancing their careers in a supportive team culture focused on compliance and quality.

Willis Aviation

Contact Details:

Willis Aviation Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Mechanic in Darlington

✨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 Willis Aviation.

✨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 Willis Aviation love to hear about practical applications of your skills.

✨Apply Directly on Company Websites

Check out the careers page of Willis Aviation 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!

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Mechanic in Darlington

Aircraft Maintenance
Sheet Metal Expertise
Cabin Maintenance
Mechanical Maintenance
Structural Maintenance
Powerplant Maintenance
Maintenance Documentation

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 Willis Aviation and the Lead Mechanic 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 Willis Aviation

✨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 Willis Aviation.

✨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 Willis Aviation.

✨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 Willis Aviation, making you a more appealing candidate.