Senior Maintenance Manager – Depth Shops
Salary: Competitive
Grade: GG13
Location: Taif, Saudi Arabia
JOB PURPOSE
BAE Systems is the UK Government’s nominated Prime Contractor under the Government-to-Government arrangements that are in place to provide equipment, support and training to Saudi Arabia. We provide maintenance of Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) aircraft and train RSAF and Royal Saudi Naval Force personnel safely in a training environment in how to use their aircraft, equipment and weapons.
BAE Systems Saudi Arabia is committed to supporting the Saudi Arabian National Agenda including Saudisation and the training and development of Saudi National capability through the growth of the Saudi National Partner Companies thereby reinforcing Industrialisation and Partnerships The Senior Maintenance Manager (SMM) plays a critical leadership role within the Typhoon Forward Maintenance Organisation, responsible for overseeing all aspects of maintenance operations to ensure aircraft availability and compliance with airworthiness and safety standards in a military Part 145 environment. This role focuses on maintaining operational readiness for the RSAF Typhoon fleet, delivering continuous training for RSAF personnel, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to meet contracted Key Performance Measures (KPMs).
Lead Maintenance Operations: Oversee the effective delivery of Forward Maintenance operations for the RSAF Typhoon fleet, ensuring maximum aircraft availability and compliance with the contractual flying programme.
Personnel Management and Training: Develop, manage, and mentor maintenance teams, facilitating ongoing training to enhance personnel competency, especially in counterpart and consolidation training.
Safety and Compliance: Uphold safety as the highest priority, ensuring strict adherence to safety, health, and environmental standards. Ensure compliance with BAE Systems Operational Framework, M&CA mandates, and RSAF regulations.
Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the maintenance organisation, applying best practices to improve efficiency and operational effectiveness.
Customer Engagement: Serve as the primary interface with RSAF, representing the organisation on all maintenance-related matters and ensuring customer satisfaction
JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES
The Senior Maintenance Manager is responsible for ensuring operational excellence across the Typhoon Forward Maintenance environment, driving a safety-first culture and achieving key performance targets. This role involves leadership, strategic planning, and continuous improvement to maintain aircraft readiness and personnel competency in a high-paced military aviation environment.
AIRCRAFT AVAILABILITY AND MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS

• Maximise Aircraft Availability: Oversee all Forward Maintenance operations to ensure the availability of aircraft for the RSAF flying programme. Meet or exceed minimum contracted KPMs for aircraft availability and reliability
• Operational Readiness: Implement and monitor procedures to ensure the airworthiness of Typhoon aircraft, focusing on both immediate and long-term operational readiness.
• Resource Optimisation: Manage personnel and material resources efficiently to support mission readiness and minimise downtime.

SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

• Safety Management: Implement and uphold comprehensive safety programs, ensuring compliance with industry standards and Part 145 regulations.
• Audit and Investigation: Lead safety audits, conduct investigations into incidents, and make recommendations for improvement. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to mitigate safety risks.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that all maintenance activities comply with RSAF, BAE Systems, and M&CA regulatory frameworks, maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

• On-The-Job Training (OJT): Oversee and facilitate OJT for RSAF personnel, ensuring that training is effective and aligned with contractual obligations. Promote continuous learning and development opportunities for all team members.
• Mentoring and Coaching: Foster a culture of mentorship, developing maintenance staff to meet current and future operational needs. Support counterpart training programmes to enhance RSAF personnel’s technical competencies.
• Personnel Competency: Conduct skill gap analyses and implement training plans to ensure the technical competency of all maintenance personnel. Oversee the delivery of Composite Flight Servicing Training and other key development programmes.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE OPTIMISATION

• Drive Innovation: Lead continuous improvement initiatives to streamline maintenance operations and implement industry best practices, ensuring improved performance across the organisation.
• Process Optimisation: Identify opportunities for efficiency gains, spearheading projects that improve turnaround times, reduce aircraft downtime, and enhance overall maintenance performance.
• Performance Metrics: Analyse performance metrics and provide detailed reports to senior management, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions.

LEADERSHIP AND TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Team Leadership: Provide strong leadership and direction to a multidisciplinary team, ensuring alignment with business objectives. Promote a positive and productive work environment.
• Succession Planning: Develop a structured approach to succession planning, focusing on Saudisation and long-term personnel development to support future operational needs.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise regularly with RSAF and other key stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and alignment with operational and strategic goals.

CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT AND CONTRACTUAL DELIVERABLES

• Customer Satisfaction: Act as the main point of contact for RSAF on maintenance-related issues, ensuring the highest level of customer satisfaction.
• Contract Compliance: Ensure that all maintenance operations meet contractual obligations and that performance metrics, including availability, readiness, and safety, are consistently achieved.
• Reporting: Provide regular reports to the RSAF and senior BAE Systems management on maintenance performance, safety metrics, and improvement initiatives.

STRATEGIC OVERSIGHT AND COLLABORATION

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Engineering, Supply Chain, and Flight Operations, to ensure alignment and seamless coordination across maintenance activities.
• Budget Management: Participate in resource allocation and budget planning processes, ensuring that maintenance operations are cost-effective and deliver optimal performance.
• Technical Reviews: Oversee and coordinate technical reviews to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of maintenance

Essential

• Have extensive proven post qualification experience in Pt 145 supported by formal recorded workplace applied related training.
• Have extensive proven experience in a relevant management role.
• Excellent leadership management skills and proven ability to supervise all levels of engineering personnel.
• Extensive experience and working knowledge of EASA Pt 145.
• Extensive Air Sector company / industry knowledge (extensive proven experience in a senior position).
• Familiar level of knowledge on EASA Pt M.
• Minimum ONC in a relevant Technical discipline, or Part 66 Category C qualified, or National civilian / military equivalent and successful completion of a recognised national aircraft maintenance traineeship / apprenticeship, or suitable equivalent.

RECRUITMENT
Essential:

• Practitioner level of knowledge of Aircraft Maintenance and the aircraft maintenance environment.
• Practitioner level of knowledge of the Typhoon air system including relevant type or equipment specific training (for example ‘Q’ Course).
• Familiar level of knowledge on Technical Services, aircraft modifications, technical instructions and fleet management.
• A detailed understanding of Typhoon Engineering Support System and Trilogi View.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Life Cycle Management.
• Thorough understanding of company processes and procedures.
• Broad aerospace and defence company / industry knowledge.
• Experienced – Certifying Technician and extensive BAE Systems supervisory experience within the area of definition.

EXPATRIATE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
In return for the required high levels of commitment and hard work you will receive a competitive salary, rent free accommodation and access to free recreation facilities, all available within Company secured accommodation. In addition, a generous leave and travel allowance makes this an opportunity not to be missed.
On successfully securing a role your appointment to Saudi Arabia will initially be on single status. On commencement of employment in Saudi Arabia you will have the opportunity to apply to have your family join you in the future. A full health care scheme is provided within Saudi Arabia.

SAUDI NATIONAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
In return for the required high levels of commitment and hard work you will receive a competitive salary and benefits package, including a generous leave and travel allowance, a full health care scheme and access to subsidised recreational facilities

BAE Systems
At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of 89,600 people in more than 40 countries. Working with customers and local partners, we develop, engineer, manufacture, and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security and people, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.
All appointments in Saudi Arabia are subject to receipt of all necessary Government and/or Customer approvals.