Head of Line Maintenance

About the RoleWe are seeking a senior technical expert to lead strategy and drive transformation through the coordination of teams implementing innovative Aircraft Line Maintenance and Short-Term planning projects. These initiatives will leverage artificial intelligence tools and other advanced digital technologies to optimise aircraft health monitoring and short-term maintenance planning within the airline's Line Maintenance and Short-Term planning Technical Operations environments.Please note this is not a data science or IT development role. The successful candidate will act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), working closely with AI labs, data scientists, and operational experts to guide the development and integration of AI-powered tools and other innovative technologies. The emphasis is on applying these solutions to drive business transformation within Technical Operations and Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) functions.Key focus areas will include:Optimisation of aircraft health monitoring and predictive failure detection in Line Maintenance environmentsDevelopment of predictive scheduling and anomaly detection toolsShort-term planning and task assignment optimisation for Line MaintenanceDeployment of technician decision-support copilotsDevelopment of integrated operational and Line Maintenance performance dashboardsNext-generation labour and skills planning for Line Maintenance.The role aims to increase aircraft availability, reduce operational disruptions, and optimise maintenance costs. It requires a strong understanding of airline maintenance processes and supply chain dynamics, combined with the ability to bridge the gap between maintenance and engineering technical teams, operational stakeholders, and the AI lab and data scientists.The successful candidate will act as a key facilitator, ensuring that innovative tools and models are developed collaboratively and in alignment with operational realities and strategic business needs. This is a strategic leadership position that brings digital transformation into one of the most safety-critical and time-sensitive areas of the airline industry, ensuring that technological innovation is both practical and impactful.Key ResponsibilitiesDefine and execute the airline group's predictive maintenance digital roadmap/strategy with focus on line operations and short-term planning.Coordinate cross-functional teams across engineering, line maintenance, operations control, and digital/tech units to ensure alignment and adoption of AI-enabled solutions.Lead the deployment of AI-powered tools for sensor data analysis, predictive maintenance scheduling, and short-term planning optimisation.Validate use cases and ensure scalability of predictive maintenance solutions across multiple operating companies (OpCos).Drive change management and stakeholder engagement to embed predictive maintenance practices into day-to-day line maintenance workflows.Monitor and communicate KPIs to demonstrate impact on safety, operational reliability, aircraft availability, and cost efficiency.Required Qualifications & ExperienceDegree in Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.Extensive experience in aircraft maintenance with strong exposure to line maintenance and short-term planning.Solid knowledge of predictive maintenance methodologies, health monitoring systems, and planning optimisation tools.Proven track record of leading transformation or digitalisation projects in maintenance or operational environments.Native / Bilingual in English.Ideal Candidate ProfileAbility to bridge engineering expertise with data/AI-driven innovation.Familiarity with digital maintenance platforms, planning systems, and real-time operational dashboards.Strategic mindset with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.Ability to operate effectively in a cross-functional, multicultural environment.Passion for driving innovation and digital transformation in the aviation industry.What We OfferThe opportunity to accelerate your career at the forefront of predictive maintenance and digital line operations, leading high-impact projects across a global aviation group.Continuous development of technical, leadership, and digital skills in a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and professional growth.