Tooling & Equipment Manager

Job Summary

Tooling & Equipment Manager will Lead the design, development, enhancement, fabrication, and lifecycle management of tooling and equipment to support aircraft maintenance production areas. Ensure tooling and equipment assets are planned, delivered, and maintained efficiently, safely, and in a cost‑effective manner to meet operational, production, and future fleet requirements.

In this role you will:

• Establish and continuously enhance the tooling and equipment function by developing in‑house design, manufacturing, and lifecycle support capabilities to strengthen core engineering and aircraft maintenance production support.
• Manage the departmental tooling and equipment budget, ensuring effective short, medium and long‑term planning while driving cost efficiencies through smart design, optimisation, and control of capital and operational expenditure.
• Define and implement departmental quality, safety, and ergonomics standards. Ensure policies, guidelines, and procedures are documented, maintained, and consistently applied to support safe and efficient operations.
• Lead and oversee tooling and equipment projects supporting short and long‑term aircraft maintenance programs, ensuring readiness for fleet growth and delivery of safe, reliable, and operationally effective solutions.
• Ensure all tooling and equipment activities comply with applicable local and international regulatory requirements and standards, including those set by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA). Support regulatory audits, reviews, and ongoing engagements with governing bodies to maintain compliance and operational readiness.
• Define and implement the tooling and equipment asset management strategy, including lifecycle planning, performance, reliability, and cost efficiency, to ensure optimal asset availability and utilisation.
• Lead and develop the team to achieve objectives through effective people management, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high‑performing work environment.

Qualification

To be considered for this role you must meet the below Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in an engineering environment, with demonstrated exposure to tooling and equipment design, development, or support.
• Understanding of aviation maintenance practices, particularly in relation to tool usability, ergonomics, and operational constraints.
• Working knowledge of engineering and manufacturing drawings is essential.
• Familiarity with CAD or equivalent design software is an advantage.