Senior Reliability Engineer

Location: Flexible hybrid working split across either LHR – Hangar , The VHQ - Crawley, WFH

Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: Wednesday, 11th February 2026

At Virgin Atlantic Airways, we believe that everyone can take on the world, and it’s our vision to become the most loved travel company. As we embark on the next exciting stage of our journey, we’re harnessing our spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation to challenge the status quo and continuously improve the way we operate.

As a Senior Reliability Engineer, you will play a critical role in protecting and enhancing the reliability,availability and on-time performance of the Virgin Atlantic fleet, second only to safety. You will lead complex reliability investigations, shaping fleet performance priorities and influence decision-making with senior stakeholders across Engineering, Operations and Maintenance.

You will be responsible for developing predictive reliability approaches using AI and apply advanced analytics to support improved aircraft performance and maintenance optimisation.

As a Senior Reliability Engineer, you will:

• Lead reliability analysis for one or more aircraft fleet types.
• Conduct complex reliability investigations and drive effective, sustainable corrective actions.
• Proactively identify emerging reliability trends and risks, working with SMEs to implement containment and long-term improvement actions.
• Drive cross-functional reliability initiatives, ensuring effective collaboration with engineering, operations and maintenance programme teams.
• Produce clear, insightful reliability and performance reporting for senior engineering and operational stakeholders.
• Conduct the review of the maintenance programme, completing non-routine analysis and supporting maintenance optimisation.
• Support aircraft entry into service, fleet changes and aircraft returns as required.
• Support and mentor other Reliability Engineers, promoting technical excellence and data driven decision making.
• Ensure continued compliance with CAA regulations while maintaining fleet availability and performance.

We are looking for an experienced engineer with extensive experience in airline reliability and performance engineering. You will be comfortable operating as a senior technical authority, influencing across teams and using data to drive decisions.

You will likely:

• Hold a relevant engineering degree (Aeronautical Engineering or equivalent), or have an aircraft maintenance technician qualification, or have proven experience in a similar role.
• Have a strong working knowledge of aircraft systems and engines, gained within an airline or OEM environment.
• Have a solid understanding of CAA, EASA and other National Airworthiness Authority Regulations and experience of Part M/CAMO and ETOPS.
• Possess a good understanding of maintenance programmes, including MSG-3 methodology and the maintenance optimisation process.
• Demonstrate advanced analytical capability, with strong skills in data manipulation, analysis and presentation.
• Have experience in developing smart reliability metrics and translating complex data into clear, actionable insight.
• Have strong communication skills and the ability to influence decisions at senior levels.
• Be capable of leading projects and driving cross functional initiatives.

It would be great if you also have

• The ability to champion the use of data science applications such as machine learning and AI predictive modelling to identify trends, risks and root causes.
• The ability ensure all AI/ML applications align with aviation regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Detailed understanding of the application of AI, machine learning or advanced analytics tools in a regulated aviation environment.
• Knowledge of aircraft health monitoring or reliability tools used by Boeing and or Airbus.
• Experience in the application of structured investigation methodologies such as Six Sigma (or similar).
• Previous experience mentoring or coaching engineers.

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