Aircraft Modifications Manager
3 days ago
Bournemouth
Aircraft Modifications Manager Aviation | Aircraft Upgrades | Mission & Systems Integration UK South based | Hybrid working considered Remuneration Package Details Available on Request Lead complex aircraft modification programmes with real operational impact A leading aviation organisation operating in a highly regulated, mission-critical environment is seeking an experienced Aircraft Modifications Manager to take ownership of a growing portfolio of aircraft upgrade and modification programmes. This is a senior delivery role for someone who understands the realities of aircraft modification — balancing engineering complexity, certification, safety, schedule, and stakeholder expectations — and who can lead teams through change from concept to operational service. The role As Aircraft Modifications Manager, you will be accountable for the end-to-end delivery of aircraft modification and upgrade programmes, covering: • Aircraft structural, avionics, and mission system modifications, • Integration of new technologies and capability upgrades, • Transition from development and embodiment into live operations, • Multiple concurrent work packages across aircraft and system You will lead a small team of Project Managers and technical contributors, providing clear direction, governance, and pace, while acting as the senior focal point for modification delivery across the business. Key responsibilities • Own and deliver a portfolio of aircraft modification programmes against agreed time, cost, quality, and safety objectives, • Lead and develop a team responsible for modification planning, execution, and reporting, • Establish robust governance, metrics, and performance visibility across all modification activity, • Manage technical, schedule, and commercial risk associated with aircraft upgrades, • Coordinate cross-functional input from engineering, operations, supply chain, and external partners, • Act as a senior interface with internal sponsors, customers, regulators, and suppliers, • Lead the organisation through change as modified aircraft transition into service, • Ensure modification activity aligns with longer-term capability and technology roadmaps, • Provide clear, structured reporting to senior technical leadership, • Drive continuous improvement in modification delivery, processes, and ways of working What success looks like • Aircraft modifications delivered safely, compliantly, and to plan, • Clear understanding of modification risks, dependencies, and mitigations, • Strong engagement across engineering, operational, and leadership teams, • A high-performing delivery team with clear accountability and ownership, • Improved predictability, maturity, and confidence in modification delivery About you Essential experience • Significant experience delivering aircraft modification or upgrade programmes within aviation or aerospace, • Strong background in regulated, safety-critical environments, • Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary teams delivering complex technical change, • Credible, confident communicator with the ability to influence at all levels, • Highly organised, delivery-focused, and comfortable managing ambiguity, • Strong working knowledge of project and programme management tools and methods, • Advanced user of Microsoft 365 for planning, reporting, and stakeholder engagement, • Must be eligible to obtain UK Ministry of Defence security clearance Why this role? • Lead meaningful aircraft modification programmes with operational relevance, • Work at the intersection of engineering, technology, and aviation operations, • Influence how advanced aviation capability is delivered and brought into service, • Join a technically ambitious organisation where delivery quality truly matters