Chief Avionic Design Engineer

Job Description:

Chief Avionic Design Engineer

Permanent

Oxford

About AHUK...

Airbus Helicopters is the world’s largest helicopter manufacturer and the company’s site at Oxford Airport is Britain’s civil helicopter hub.

AHUK offers considerable experience in helicopter sales, bespoke completions, maintenance and spares support.  Its in-house engineering capabilities include design, customisation, installation, flight-testing and certification, as well as technical support, maintenance, training and the supply of spares for civil and military applications.

AHUK is the MoD’s chosen provider of helicopters and maintenance for its No.1 Helicopter Flying school (referred to as MFTS) located in RAF Shawbury (Shropshire) and RAF Valley (Anglesey).

We offer a competitive base salary and a robust suite of benefits designed to support your health, wealth, and lifestyle:

• Holiday Allowance: We value loyalty and work-life balance; your annual leave entitlement grows with you, rewarding your commitment with an extra day of leave for each year of service (up to an additional 4 days) 

• Health: Private Medical Insurance (Bupa). You also have the flexibility to add family members to your policy at an additional cost. Other options include Health-care Cash Schemes and Den-Plan. 

• Future Wealth: up to 8% Company Pension contribution, when you contribute 6%. Plus Yearly Share Incentive Plans, and Discretionary Group Bonuses.

• Everyday Savings: Access to exclusive shopping discounts, including a cashback card to help your money go further.

• Lifestyle: Bikes to Work scheme (up to £3,000), Mydrive car purchase scheme, and Technology purchase schemes.

• Added Protection: Benefit from Personal Accident Insurance, Health-care Cash Schemes, and professional Financial/Legal advice. 

• Refer a friend Scheme : We offer a generous Referral Bonus for any successfully placed candidates you recommend to the business. 

The Opportunity 

We are looking for passionate individuals to lead our Avionic & Electrical Design engineer team as the Chief Avionic Design Engineer at our Oxford site.

As the Chief Avionic/Electrical Design Engineer, you will lead the development of innovative Helicopter Customisations from early concept through to manufacture, owning the technical quality of your designs. You will guide and mentor a small team of engineers while ensuring every solution meets our customer, regulatory and Certification requirements.  

Main Responsibilities

• Lead avionics & electrical engineering, from quote/concept through to design, integration and test in accordance with design office and Airbus procedures;

• Overall responsibility for providing avionic and electrical contribution to project timelines, estimates and quotes.

• Overall responsibility for the development of avionic and electrical design engineers to meet business needs. Engage & motivate the team, and help to provide capability assurance through training and development;

• Act as design signatory status and Compliance Verification Engineer.

• Liaise with other project stakeholders to resolve relevant design issues.

• Responsible for avionic and electrical design procedures seeking to provide cost effective design solutions and develop new procedures to meet evolving requirements.

• Undertake reporting or documentation tasks associated with a work package to comply with the certification, airworthiness and environmental protection requirements as listed in the Certification Plan for the modification, for which an appropriate level of understanding of applicable FAR/JAR/CS 27/29 requirements is necessary related to avionic and electrical design;

• To continue and develop own personal technical competence;

• Keeping up to date with changes to applicable regulatory authority legislation;

• Keep up to date with new technological advances;

• Expected to communicate effectively and professionally with customers and suppliers as well as to manage data transfer as required for product development or other needs.

• Organise and participate in Design Reviews throughout each phase of the New Product Introduction process. Ensure that all necessary follow up actions are taken.

• Ensure the successful integration of each of their module(s) within the product as a whole.

• Generate and/or revise specifications.

• Coach, mentor and develop less experienced design engineers (apprentices, graduates etc.).

• Assisting in recruitment of team members when required. 

Education, Qualifications or Training

Essential

• Qualified to a minimum of degree in an Avionic / Electrical / Aerospace Engineering field. Alternatively a HNC/HND or an equivalent qualification in Avionic / Electrical / Aerospace Engineering apprenticeship, with extensive experience in avionic & electrical systems design, developing concept and detailing engineering solutions;

• Sound understanding of the aircraft system and software safety analysis process

• Proficient with experience in CATIA V5, Autodesk AutoCAD and Product Life Management (PLM) Systems (Enovia SmarTeam, ARAS)

• Understanding of national and international regulatory standards and codes of practice including CAA Part 21, CS27/CS29 and Defence Standard 00-970.

• Ability to plan and schedule design activities across multiple design work packages

• Ability to read design drawings and specifications.

• Proven experience supervising a team of Avionic/Electrical Design engineers.

Desirable

• Previous experience as a design signatory and Compliance Verification Engineer.

• Inclusive Space: We provide a dedicated Multi-Faith Prayer Room, ensuring a quiet, private space prayer during the day.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Your mental health matters. Gain access to 24/7 confidential support, counseling, and resources for both your professional and personal life.

• The Canteen Hub: A dedicated space to take a break and recharge, featuring on-site vending machines for quick snacks and refreshments.

• Fuel Your Day: Enjoy free tea and coffee throughout the day, because sometimes the best ideas happen over a fresh brew.

• This position is subject to National Security Vetting. Candidates must be able to obtain SC clearance, which generally requires having lived in the UK for the last five years. All successful applicants will also undergo a mandatory BPSS check. 

• Applicants must meet any/all requirements of Export Compliance Regulations.

• All candidates must possess the current, legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Airbus will not be able to offer sponsorship for any employment Visa's.

By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.  

After this date the applications will then be reviewed, Feedback will be given and Interviews will be arranged. Please direct any questions relating to this job posting to contact.recruitment [email protected] in the first instance for the attention of the  HR Team.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

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By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.
Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [email protected].

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.