Sheet Metal Worker – Fixed Wing (Contract)

Location: Retford / Gamston Airport
Duration: 2 months, starting ASAP
Rate: £35.00 per hour, Outside IR35

Volantes Technical Recruitment is looking for an experienced Sheet Metal Worker to join our client's fixed-wing maintenance team at Retford/Gamston Airport on a 2-month contract, starting as soon as possible.

The role

• Carry out structural repairs and modifications on fixed-wing aircraft
• Fabricate, fit and replace sheet metal components, including skin repairs, patches and doublers
• Drill, countersink and rivet to approved standards
• Work in accordance with the SRM, approved data and company procedures
• Complete all work documentation accurately and on time

What you'll need

• Proven experience as an aircraft Sheet Metal Worker / Structures Mechanic on fixed-wing aircraft
• Able to read and interpret engineering drawings and repair schemes
• Experience in a Part 145 or similar maintenance environment
• Own tools
• Right to work in the UK and available to start at short notice

Lead Flight Test Engineer – Electronic Warfare / Defence Aviation – Bournemouth

Volantes Technical Recruitment is working on behalf of a leading provider of airborne Electronic Warfare (EW) and Operational Readiness Training, supporting the UK Ministry of Defence and NATO allies worldwide. We're looking for an experienced Lead Flight Test Engineer to join their growing team based at Bournemouth International Airport.

The Role

This is a rare opportunity to lead flight test activity across a diverse, multi-platform fleet at the cutting edge of EW and Operational Readiness Training. Reporting to the Flight Test Manager, you'll define, plan, execute and report flight test programmes from concept through to delivery — both in the UK and at deployed locations across Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East.

This is a flying role. Alongside flight test duties, and depending on prior qualifications, there may be opportunities to conduct Operational Readiness Training as rear crew across a variety of aircraft and roles.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the safe and effective delivery of flight test activities in the UK and at deployed locations worldwide
• Plan and conduct airborne and ground flight testing as Lead Flight Test Engineer
• Develop and own test strategies, test plans, and test procedures
• Maintain close collaboration with the Design Office, including participation in design and technical safety reviews
• Develop and manage certification plans in support of flight test requirements
• Produce clear, high-quality flight test reports
• Actively manage flight test risk to ALARP and tolerable levels
• Ensure full regulatory compliance, building trusted relationships with the UK CAA and other regulatory authorities

Essential Experience / Skills

• Proven experience as a Lead Flight Test Engineer across multiple air vehicle types
• Qualification as a Flight Test Engineer from a recognised, approved Flight Test Training Organisation
• Eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC)
• Able to hold, or meet, a minimum CAA Class 2 medical standard

Desirable

• Cat 1 Flight Test Engineer qualification
• Military or civil aviation experience as flight crew or engineer
• Degree (BSc/BEng or higher) in an engineering or science-related discipline
• Knowledge of UK, US and European civil and military regulatory frameworks
• Experience with COTS or bespoke flight test instrumentation and data acquisition systems
• Background in military EW/RF jamming, or specialist EW roles supporting the RAF or RN
• Previous UAS/RPAS experience

The Package

• Location: Bournemouth
• Type: Permanent
• International travel/deployment required (Europe, Middle East, Far East)

Mechanical Engineer - Lavatory Design

Volantes Technical Recruitment are currently supporting a premier global provider of aircraft cabin interiors, engineering, and manufacturing solutions with their search for a Mechanical Engineer to join their team in Everett, Washington.

The Role

You will be responsible for leading and supporting the design, modification, and development of commercial aircraft lavatories for production, retrofit, and product development programs. Serves as a design authority and develops engineering solutions that meet customer, OEM, regulatory, manufacturing, cost, and performance requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and modify commercial aircraft lavatories, including structures, interiors, installations, provisioning, and mechanical systems such as air, water, and waste.
• Develop 3D CAD models, detailed drawings, engineering packages, and technical documentation using established design standards.
• Ensure designs comply with customer/OEM requirements and applicable FAA, EASA, safety, and certification requirements.
• Support structural, flammability, safety, certification, prototype, testing, and qualification activities.
• Evaluate existing designs and develop technical solutions to engineering, production, and in-service issues.
• Lead design reviews and serve as design authority for assigned engineering tasks.
• Manage engineering changes, design updates, configuration control, and associated documentation.
• Collaborate with Stress, Certification, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Program Management, and other functional teams.
• Perform root-cause analysis and corrective action for production and in-service issues.
• Drive improvements in weight, cost, manufacturability, reliability, and passenger experience.
• Review project work scope and provide engineering estimates for schedules, RFQs, and resource planning.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and performance input to the Functional Manager.
• Support department initiatives and perform other duties as assigned.
• May provide technical leadership and delegated supervisory support when acting as Lead Engineer, including mentoring and performance input to the Functional Manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering field plus 5+ years of relevant experience; equivalent experience may include a minimum of 15 years in an aerospace-related field.
• Typically 5–8 years of commercial aircraft lavatory design experience.
• Proficiency with CATIA V5/V6, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, or similar CAD software.
• Strong knowledge of aircraft lavatory structures, mechanical systems, design practices, and manufacturing requirements.
• Working knowledge of FAA/EASA requirements and aerospace certification processes.
• Strong engineering analysis, troubleshooting, root-cause, configuration-control, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective technical communication, customer interaction, collaboration, and mentoring skills.
• Successful completion of required pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check.

 Moderate domestic and international travel may be required.

Interested?

If you are looking for your next opportunity and meet the requirements above, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now or contact Volantes Technical Recruitment for further details.

Test and M&PT Engineer

Volantes Technical Recruitment are currently supporting a premier global provider of aircraft cabin interiors, engineering, and manufacturing solutions with their search for a Test and M&PT Engineer to join their team in Everett, Washington.

The Role

You will be responsible for supporting development, qualification, and implementation of materials, processes, and testing for commercial aircraft interior products. Coordinates testing from planning through execution and reporting while ensuring compliance with engineering, quality, regulatory, cost, and schedule requirements.

Essential duties and responsibilities 

• Develop, evaluate, and qualify new materials, parts, and manufacturing processes for aircraft interior applications.
• Prepare test plans, specifications, drawings, setups, and documentation to support material/process qualification and product testing.
• Coordinate and execute coupon, static, dynamic, cycle, and other required testing, including instrumentation and data acquisition.
• Lead test setup, execution, troubleshooting, teardown, and validation in coordination with Stress, Flammability, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Engineering.
• Analyze and interpret test results and prepare technical reports and recommendations.
• Investigate material, process, and test failures using root-cause and corrective-action methods.
• Monitor manufacturing processes and recommend improvements to quality, cost, reliability, safety, and efficiency.
• Maintain material/process specifications and databases and support engineering package development.
• Support Supply Chain and Design Optimization in evaluating new materials and manufacturing solutions.
• Represent testing and M&PT at design reviews and technical meetings and coordinate activities across departments.
• Apply applicable ASTM, FAA, MMPDS, CMH-17, quality, safety, and industry requirements.
• Maintain awareness of industry standards and emerging materials/process technologies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Typically 4–6 years of related experience, including aerospace materials, manufacturing processes, and material qualification/allowable testing.
• Experience with static and cycle testing of mechanical aircraft components; passenger seat experience preferred.
• Knowledge of metallic and composite materials, ASTM standards, MMPDS, CMH-17, FAA requirements, and statistical data analysis.
• Familiarity with test equipment, instrumentation, data acquisition, and industry-standard test methods.
• Strong technical writing, analytical, problem-solving, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Successful completion of required pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check.

Moderate domestic and international travel may be required.

Interested?

If you are looking for your next opportunity and meet the requirements above, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now or contact Volantes Technical Recruitment for further details.

Test Engineer

Volantes Technical Recruitment are currently supporting a premier global provider of aircraft cabin interiors, engineering, and manufacturing solutions with their search for a Test Engineer to join their team in Everett, Washington.

The Role

You will be responsible for planning, coordinating, executing, and reporting testing of aircraft interior components and assemblies. Test programs primarily include full-scale static, fatigue, functional, and mechanical evaluations performed in coordination with Engineering and Operations.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Develop test plans, procedures, and reports in coordination with Stress, Design, Program Management, Procurement, and Production.
• Develop test fixture and tooling concepts and provide technical direction for detailed design and fabrication.
• Direct test technicians in test setup, instrumentation, data acquisition, and integration of actuation systems.
• Coordinate procurement, installation, calibration, and operation of test equipment, instrumentation, and control devices.
• Lead operational, functional, static, fatigue, and performance testing of aircraft interior components and assemblies.
• Monitor test execution and troubleshoot equipment, product, system, or data issues with engineering and technical personnel.
• Analyze and interpret test data and prepare technical reports and recommendations.
• Use applicable computer hardware and software for test execution, data acquisition, analysis, and reporting.
• Represent Test Engineering at design reviews and technical coordination meetings.
• Support development and continuous improvement of test methods, processes, and equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering field with 2+ years of relevant experience, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and aerospace experience.
• Strong test and development background involving mechanical structures, components, and systems.
• Working knowledge of mechanical/aerospace engineering principles, test equipment, instrumentation, and data acquisition.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, procedures, regulations, test data, and engineering requirements.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, technical writing, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and presentation skills with the ability to work across technical and operational teams.
• Successful completion of required pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check.

Moderate domestic and international travel may be required.

Interested?

If you are looking for your next opportunity and meet the requirements above, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now or contact Volantes Technical Recruitment for further details.

Lead Mechanical Engineer - Lavatory Design

Volantes Technical Recruitment are currently supporting a premier global provider of aircraft cabin interiors, engineering, and manufacturing solutions with their search for a Lead Mechanical Engineer to join their team in Everett, Washington.

The Role

You will be responsible for providing technical leadership for the design, modification, and development of commercial aircraft lavatories for production, retrofit, and product development programs. Serves as design authority for assigned projects and leads engineering activities to meet customer, OEM, regulatory, schedule, cost, and manufacturing requirements.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the design and modification of aircraft lavatories, including structures, interiors, installations, provisioning, and air, water, and waste systems.
• Develop and approve 3D CAD models, detailed drawings, engineering packages, and technical documentation using established standards.
• Ensure designs comply with customer/OEM requirements and applicable FAA, EASA, safety, and certification requirements.
• Serve as design authority and lead design reviews, technical decisions, and resolution of complex engineering issues.
• Support structural, flammability, certification, prototype, testing, and qualification activities.
• Lead resolution of production and in-service issues through engineering analysis, root-cause investigation, and corrective action.
• Manage engineering changes, design updates, configuration control, and technical documentation.
• Coordinate with Stress, Certification, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Program Management, and other functions to achieve program objectives.
• Drive improvements in weight, cost, manufacturability, reliability, quality, and passenger experience.
• Review project work scope and support RFQs through technical, resource, schedule, and engineering-hour estimates.
• Maintain monthly engineering-hour forecasts and monitor assigned project workload and commitments.
• Provide technical direction, mentoring, and performance input for engineering team members.
• Support engineering department initiatives and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering field plus 8–10+ years of relevant experience; equivalent experience may include a minimum of 18 years in an aerospace-related field.
• Typically 8–10 years of commercial aircraft lavatory design experience.
• Proficiency with CATIA V5/V6, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, or similar CAD software.
• Advanced knowledge of aircraft lavatory structures, mechanical systems, design practices, and manufacturing requirements.
• Strong working knowledge of FAA/EASA requirements and aerospace certification processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead engineering projects, serve as design authority, and resolve complex technical issues.
• Strong planning, estimating, analytical, root-cause, configuration-control, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective leadership, mentoring, technical communication, and cross-functional/customer collaboration skills.
• Successful completion of required pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check.

Supervisory Responsibilities 

Provides technical leadership, work direction, mentoring, and performance input. 

May perform delegated supervisory responsibilities as assigned by the Functional Manager. 

Moderate domestic and international travel may be required.

Interested?

If you are looking for your next opportunity and meet the requirements above, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now or contact Volantes Technical Recruitment for further details.

UK CAA B1.3 Engineer (AW139)

Salary: £80,000 to £90,000 per annum
Shift pattern: 7 days on, 7 days off (11-hour shifts)

Volantes Technical Recruitment are supporting an aviation organisation with their search for a UK CAA B1.3 Engineer to work on AW139 helicopters.

The Role

You will carry out aircraft maintenance and certification in accordance with approved procedures, helping to keep the AW139 fleet safe and operational. AW139 type training is available for the right candidate, subject to a three-year bond.

Qualifications

• A UK CAA Part-66 B1.3 licence.
• Relevant helicopter maintenance experience.
• An AW139 type rating is desirable; type training may be provided for the right candidate.
• A thorough approach to maintenance, safety and technical documentation.

Salary & Benefits

• £80,000 to £90,000 per annum.
• Statutory pension contributions on qualifying earnings.
• Overtime available.
• 28 days’ annual leave, including bank holidays.
• Christmas shutdown observed, with overtime available.
• Cycle to work scheme with a £4,000 cap.
• Professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Bond transfers may be available for suitable candidates.

Interested?

If you are looking for your next opportunity and meet the requirements above, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now or contact Volantes Technical Recruitment for further details.

Seat Design Engineer Lead

Volantes Technical Recruitment are currently supporting a premier global provider of aircraft cabin interiors, engineering, and manufacturing solutions with their search for a Seat Design Engineer Lead to join their team in Everett, Washington.

The Role

You will be responsible for leading the design, development, and substantiation of mechanical aircraft seating systems for production, retrofit, and product development programs. Serves as a design authority and provides technical leadership to Seat Design Engineers while ensuring compliance with customer, OEM, regulatory, and internal requirements.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and development of commercial aircraft seats, installations, assemblies, components, and specifications.
• Develop and modify seat designs using established engineering, modeling, drafting, and documentation standards.
• Interpret customer and OEM requirements, aircraft layouts, installation drawings, and applicable regulatory/design standards.
• Serve as design authority; perform design reviews, checks, approvals, and validation of engineering documentation.
• Perform preliminary engineering analyses, including stress, kinematics, design validation, and test-data correlation.
• Lead design teams of up to 6 Seat Design Engineers, assigning technical tasks and providing guidance and mentoring.
• Define project scope, schedules, resource requirements, time estimates, and RFQ commitments in coordination with Program and Functional Management.
• Review and approve engineering packages and ensure designs meet technical, manufacturing, customer, and program requirements.
• Troubleshoot mechanical seating issues and provide technical support to Manufacturing and in-service activities.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and other departments to resolve technical and program issues.
• Support department goals, process improvements, and engineering initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering field with 8+ years of experience, or equivalent experience including a minimum of 15 years in an aerospace-related field.
• Advanced knowledge of commercial aircraft seat design, installation, and applicable OEM, SAE, regulatory, and industry requirements.
• Proficiency with CATIA V5 or higher and/or SolidWorks preferred, including complex layouts and design studies.
• Strong understanding of engineering design, drafting standards, mechanical systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead engineering teams and provide technical/design authority.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex technical requirements and engineering data.
• Effective communication, leadership, planning, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Successful completion of required pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Provides lead engineering direction and may perform delegated supervisory responsibilities, including mentoring and performance input to the Functional Manager. 

Domestic or international travel may be required.

Interested?

If you are looking for your next opportunity and meet the requirements above, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now or contact Volantes Technical Recruitment for further details.