Chief Technician

Fareham
5 days ago
Create job alert

Rota: 6 weeks on shift travelling internationally, then you will have 2 weeks off.
Travel: International

Plan for and lead a small team in the conduct of ground test, support to air test, modification, maintenance, repair and overhaul ULTRA Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) at the Fareham factory and periodically at deployed locations. At the factory location working in the leadership of a small team of similar technicians, when deployed working in the leadership of a small team of technicians working as part of a multifunctional team supporting flying operations.

Responsibilities- planning, leading and conducting:

The embodiment of planned fleet modifications
The completion of scheduled maintenance
The diagnosis, planning and completion of unscheduled maintenance / repair
The completion of defined post manufacture special to role modifications
The completion of post manufacture product development modifications in collaboration with engineering / R+D input where necessary
Sub component manufacture and / or testing to support modification tasks where required
Ground testing of systems for post manufacture / modification quality assurance and for fault diagnosis / confirmation of diagnosis
The rectification of faults found during ground testing
The ground handling, refuelling and maintenance support to flying operations
The collation of feedback on system and design challenges for availability management and engineering teams
Completion of and maintenance of relevant aircraft and equipment electronic records
The continued management of workspace, ensuring cleanliness and tidiness is maintained
The conduct of all activity within your area of responsibility in a safe manner and in accordance with the Health and Safety agenda Responsible for:

Other responsibilities as agreed with your manager
Working in accordance with our values, policies, procedures and guidelines
The supervision and approval of work conducted by subordinate technicians Leadership & Continuous Improvement

Lead, mentor, and develop your MMRO Team to achieve departmental and organisational objectives, establishing key targets for the team whilst growing along with the pace of the business.
Ensure currency with all relevant industry practices, where applicable, and strive for a continuous learning approach to personal development for both you and the team
Provide a leading example to the team of adherence to company policies and culture and promote an open and transparent approach to reporting safety concerns and risks Managers Responsibilities

Operational Delivery

Set clear team goals aligned with company targets and business strategy.
Oversee day-to-day operations or project delivery within your function.
Balance resource planning, risk management, and deadlines in a fast-paced, agile environment. Manage Functional or Project Areas

Own the delivery of critical functional or technical areas (e.g. project timelines, compliance, technical direction).
Ensure outcomes meet quality, safety, and regulatory requirements. Contribute Expertise

Serve as a subject matter expert within the MMRO domains, particularly when deployed alongside flight operations team and capability.
Guide and influence teams through technical leadership or coordination. Drive Cross-functional Collaboration

Work closely with other managers (Flight Operations, Engineering Functional & Customer Success) to align priorities and workflows.
Ensure effective two-way communication between your team and peer team management. 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 team members 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.
Set direct goal for direct reports and support direct reports on setting goals for their teams.
Foster a high-performance, inclusive, and respectful team culture. Qualifications & Experience

Experienced in leading and supervising vehicle technicians (air, automotive, marine or rail)
Essential: experienced in the supervision of mechanical or electrical / electronic vehicle fault diagnosis
Desirable: experienced in the supervision of mechanical and electrical / electronic vehicle fault diagnosis
Ability to adapt and learn new skills
Empathetic and skilful communicator
Ability to manage the collation and generation of on engineering drawings or manufacturing / modification packs
Highly desirable: willingness to periodically operate from remote locations (UK or overseas at the discretion of the employee)
Experienced with Microsoft Office user
Experienced project / progress management software user (eg ERP tools)
Experience reading MCAD and ECAD drawings
Right to work within the UK.
Vetting and security clearance (as required by role, location or client). 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

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Product Safety Engineer

UAV Pilot

UAV Pilot

Hospitality Manager (Care Home)

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

The Skills Gap in UAV Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) — commonly known as drones — are among the fastest-growing technologies globally. From infrastructure inspection and agriculture to emergency response, surveying, logistics and defence, UAVs are transforming how organisations gather data, deliver services and improve efficiency. In the UK, demand for UAV professionals is increasing rapidly. Yet despite a growing number of graduates with engineering, robotics or aerospace backgrounds, employers continue to report a persistent problem: Many graduates are not ready for real UAV jobs. This is not a reflection of intelligence or academic effort. It is a widening skills gap between what universities teach and what employers actually need in the UAV sector. This article explores that gap in depth — what universities do well, where programmes fall short, why the divide exists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the gap to build a successful career in UAVs.

UAV Jobs for Career Switchers in Their 30s, 40s & 50s (UK Reality Check)

UAVs (drones) have moved far beyond hobby flying. In the UK, they are now used every day for surveying, infrastructure inspection, construction progress, environmental monitoring, emergency response, film production, agriculture, offshore work & security. That growth has created a wide range of UAV job opportunities — and many of the most realistic routes into the sector are well suited to career switchers in their 30s, 40s & 50s. This article gives you a straight UK reality check on UAV careers: what roles genuinely exist, what training you really need, how long it takes to become employable, where the money is, what employers actually look for & whether age matters (usually far less than people assume).

How to Write a UAV or Drone Job Ad That Attracts the Right People

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are now used across a wide range of UK industries, including defence, aerospace, surveying, agriculture, energy, emergency services, infrastructure inspection and logistics. As the sector grows, so does demand for skilled UAV professionals — from pilots and engineers to software developers, systems specialists and compliance experts. Yet many employers struggle to attract the right candidates. UAV job adverts often receive either very few applications or a high volume of unsuitable ones. Experienced UAV professionals, meanwhile, regularly ignore adverts that feel vague, unrealistic or disconnected from real operational and regulatory requirements. In most cases, the problem is not a lack of talent — it is the clarity and quality of the job advert. UAV professionals are practical, safety-conscious and detail-oriented. A poorly written job ad signals weak understanding of aviation, regulation or operational reality. A clear, well-written one signals credibility, professionalism and long-term intent. This guide explains how to write a UAV job ad that attracts the right people, improves applicant quality and positions your organisation as a serious employer in the UAV sector.