Role overview

This position leads line maintenance shift operations for Etihad Airways, ensuring aircraft remain airworthy, reliable, and ready for dispatch. You will oversee certified maintenance teams, authorize maintenance releases, and coordinate with multiple departments to resolve defects and manage daily operational priorities across assigned aircraft.

Key responsibilities

Direct line maintenance shift execution by allocating certified engineers and technicians to priority aircraft, balancing defect recovery with turnaround schedules, and adjusting work sequences when disruptions or staffing gaps occur.
Authorize aircraft maintenance release actions, verifying that all work meets approved standards, aircraft-specific requirements, and revision control before return to service, and reporting any airworthiness concerns or non-conformances.
Establish and enforce safety, security, and quality controls throughout the shift, including risk assessment for significant operational changes, safety management system compliance, incident reporting, and verification that tools, ground support equipment, and technical documentation are ready and audit-compliant.
Maintain workforce readiness by managing staffing levels, briefing incoming teams, assessing duty fitness, and identifying training or certification needs to ensure the team has the necessary qualifications for assigned aircraft types and operational recovery periods.
Communicate directly with maintenance control, planning, operations control, and line stations to report incoming defects, align priorities, provide technical feedback, and close unresolved maintenance items.
Monitor maintenance execution and documentation quality, ensuring work packs and technical records are completed accurately, reviewing trends, and escalating recurring defects with recommendations to improve reliability and planning.
Lead line maintenance during operational disruptions or when the Senior Manager is absent, making decisions within delegated authority and escalating matters beyond shift control to maintain safety and service standards.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical, mechanical, electrical, or electronic engineering, or an equivalent technical qualification.
Minimum 15 years of aircraft maintenance experience within an airline or maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) environment.
At least 5 years of experience leading line maintenance, duty management, or shift coordination in a 24/7 operational setting.
Demonstrated experience managing certification control, defect recovery, and cross-functional decisions across multiple aircraft types.
Fluent English language skills.

What makes this role worth considering

Etihad Airways operates from Abu Dhabi as the UAE’s national airline, with plans to double its fleet and expand to over 125 destinations as part of its Journey 2030 strategy. This leadership role offers the opportunity to drive maintenance excellence and safety standards while working with a growing global airline operation.

How to apply

Use the Apply button to view the official job posting and submit your application on Etihad Airways Careers: Latest Jobs and How to Apply's careers site.

ImmigrationCafe is a job listing directory, not a recruiter. Applications are submitted on the employer's official careers website.