Airport Operational Engineer

NATS is the UK’s leading air navigation service provider, handling over 2.4 million flights each year. We provide air traffic control services from two control centres and at airports around the UK. We also provide a wide range of commercial products and solutions internationally. Our people are at the heart of our purpose to advance aviation and keep the skies safe. 

Salary - £62,278.99 - £83,038.65

Closing date - Tuesday 28th October

Job Purpose:

• To provide immediate Engineering response, within the operating environment of Aberdeen airport, to faults and failures on a variety of airport systems, and planned maintenance support of identified ATS assets.
• Carry out fault rectification maintenance and installation of ATS equipment and/or supervision of contractors installing, maintaining, or repairing equipment at an airport within the defined ‘Group’.
• Support additional maintenance contracts and/or business opportunities as required within the ‘Group’.
• To act as the Duty Engineering Officer as determined by roster.

Principle Accountabilities: 

• The role holder will have a duty to act as the focal point for the reporting and management of a range of operational engineering systems and functions whilst on shift including 1st level planned and corrective maintenance, restoration, and configuration.
• To prioritise faults and direct engineering resources towards a safe and expeditious restoration of service.
• To maintain competency and Competency Ratings.
• To make operational decisions, provide guidance, specialist advice and assistance including an assessment of operational impact and to appraise relevant management and/or customers of any service impacting incidents or occurrences.
• To maintain clear and accurate legal records for all activities where required to do so.
• To fully brief as necessary and supervise watch keeping staff and contractors ensuring their compliance with the NATS Management System.
• To control and participate in the planned maintenance programme carrying out remedial maintenance as appropriate.
• To control and track all long-term faults, modifications, projects and provide assistance where and when appropriate.
• Act in accordance with the local safety accountabilities of the Duty Engineering Officer as detailed in the Safety Management Manual.
• To conduct post incident procedures to aid the provision of Incident Reports in the event of a safety related event.
• To provide structured OJT to ensure team members have the necessary knowledge and skills in terms of competency

Additional Accountabilities:

Job Scope:

• The post holder will be required to tactically manage operational services at their respective airport whilst on duty and ensure the services are delivered to the customers as directed by the Group Engineering Manager or Senior Engineer where applicable.
• Manage and carry out planned and corrective maintenance, prioritising all tasks to ensure they are carried out in a timely manner, in compliance with maintenance schedules, service level agreements and local procedures.
• Perform tactical planning on a daily basis in the maintenance and repair of ATS equipment.
• Monitor system performance to plan for maintenance and repair.
• Progress appropriate engineering tasks and projects as required.
• Carry out the tactical control of the operational aspects of engineering so as to maintain the optimum service to ATC and other customers.
• To continue to maintain a broad knowledge of all technology and systems deployed at airports.
• Participate in the acceptance and integration of new/modified systems into operational service.
• Take an active and challenging role in the on-going compliance with NMS, Quality and Safety Management.
• The job holder may be required to participate in a formal shift and or On Call system.
• Be prepared to carry out similar engineering duties at alternative locations in line with National Agreements.
• Be willing to drive company vehicles both on public roads and on airfields.
• On-going compliance with local airport procedures, potentially across multiple airports.

Qualification and Skills:

• Professional engineering qualification to Higher National Certificate (Level 4 or SQF Level 7) as a minimum Electronics, Telecommunications or Computer Science or other relevant Engineering qualification discipline

In lieu of the above qualifications the candidate will be required to demonstrate one of the following alternative criteria:

1. Relevant lower-level engineering qualifications such as an Apprenticeship coupled with demonstrable engineering experience in a relevant field (May include but not limited to: RAF, Navy, Rail, other Safety Critical environment)
2. Evidence of substantial experience gained in a relevant transferable environment (such as ATSEP) gained over a significant period

• Experience of supporting systems and equipment similar to those used by ANSP’s such as RAF, Navy, Rail, other Safety Critical environment and experience in maintenance engineering on this type of equipment.
• Shall demonstrate an understanding of safety critical systems and the impact they may have within our operational environment.
• Must be able to prioritise actions under pressure, be technically competent to work on a wide range of equipment and have a logical approach to problem solving.
• Must have effective oral and written communication skills with the ability to present information accurately and succinctly to customers and suppliers who may not have the same level of operational engineering understanding.
• General ability to work as part of a team or on own initiative and possess effective judgement skills in order to maintain operational services in a safety critical environment.
• Must be the holder of a full UK driving licence.
• Possess commercial awareness in order to appreciate what impact a facility failure would have on our customers and have a good understanding of internal relationships and dependencies on the ATM engineering systems which they are responsible for.

Additional Vacancy Information:

Hours: Rotational shifts, Mon–Fri 07:00-20:00 Sat-Sun 09:00-17:45 

On-Call: 1 in 4 weeks once competency achieved, providing 24/7 cover. On-Call attracts an additional allowance.

Note: Offer is subject to passing a colour vision test.

We are proud to offer a fantastic total reward package to help you thrive both personally and professionally - for more information on what NATS can offer you please visit - Why NATS? - NATS'

If you share our passion to advance aviation and keep the skies safe – we would like to hear from you whatever your age, sex, race, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, visible or invisible disability. Individuals that bring different perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds help us be at the forefront of our industry.

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