Powerplant Production Supervisor

Provide day-to-day leadership for the powerplant manufacturing team, scheduling work to meet the overall production output timelines and performing second sign off whilst acting as the SME for powerplant production. This role provides oversight on safety, training, commissioning, and final sign off for the powerplant team within a larger production process.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Sign-off

• Translate the agreed aircraft production plan into a weekly executable schedule and lead shop-floor execution across multiple powerplant installations to meet safety, quality, and delivery objectives.
• Manage the scheduling and own execution of the weekly powerplant production plan, liaising closely with the “Manufacturing Manager – Airframe & Powerplant” to manage priorities, resources, and constraints.
• Provide regular weekly feedback to the “Manufacturing Manager – Airframe & Powerplant” to manage priorities, resources, constraints, and highlight key risks.
• Provide technical oversight to “Powerplant Technician” personnel, including relevant training as required, inspection sign-off, and resource allocation for team.
• Provide feedback and highlight concerns to Procurement and Quality Managers with respect to powerplant production.
• Maintain and update powerplant production processes, work cards, and commissioning procedures ensuring a continuous improvement process that continues to evolve alongside wider business needs.
• Maintain a safe, efficient, and continuously improving Powerplant assembly environment within the area of responsibility, ensuring all team members are working in a safe manner.

Quality

• Ensure compliance with Windracers production standards, regulatory requirements, and approved processes.
• Ensure accurate completion of production documentation and work records using company software tools.
• Promote and reinforce a “right first time” quality culture on the shop floor.
• Work in accordance with company policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Other responsibilities as agreed with your manager.

Managers Responsibilities

Contribute Expertise

• Serve as a subject matter expert within the powerplant production domain.
• Guide and influence teams through technical leadership or coordination.

Drive Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with other supervisors (Airframe, Avionics) to align priorities and workflows.
• Ensure effective two-way communication between your team and Manufacturing Managers.

Maintain Standards and Promote Continuous Improvement

• Uphold documentation, quality, and compliance standards across your area.
• Suggest and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency or scalability.
• Identify opportunities for improving tools, systems, or processes.
• Encourage team innovation and feedback in a scale-up environment.

Uphold Values and Safety

• Champion company values: Purpose, Agile, Resilient, Team, Safe.
• Ensure all direct reports work in compliance with HSE standards and quality requirements.

Lead and Develop People

• Manage, coach, and support your team.
• Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and career development planning including letting quarterly targets for direct reports with support of the Manufacturing Manager – Airframe & Powerplant.
• Foster a high-performance, inclusive, and respectful team culture.

Qualifications & Experience Required

• Experience working with aircraft powerplant systems.
• Strong understanding of internal combustion engines, fuel systems, associated controls, and common areas of concerns for such systems.
• 6+ years hands-on experience in engineering or manufacturing field (relevant industry accepted).
• Previous experience in managing production or engineering staff.
• Previous experience in conducting engine testing / running on aircraft
• Ability to interpret, follow, and give feedback on technical drawings, manuals, and work instructions.
• Competent with Microsoft Office 365.
• Technically capable with good logical reasoning.
• Ability to adapt and learn new skills.
• Good presentation and communication skills.
• Right to work within the UK.
• Vetting and security clearance (BPSS obtained within probation period).

Desirable

• IC Engine fault-finding and diagnostic experience.
• Experience working within regulated or safety-critical environments.
• Experience using Jira or similar ticket-based task allocation software.
• Experience using MCAD and ECAD tools.
• UAV industry knowledge.

Other

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the company. The job description may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Professional Development
You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.