Propulsion Engineering Lead – H13 at Kenya Airways

Job Description

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Kenya Airways, the leading African airline flying to more African destinations than any other carrier, takes pride in being at the forefront of connecting Africa to the world and the World to Africa through its hub Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Responsible for the core activity of Propulsion Engineering Section, ensuring strategic development and management of all propulsion equipment (Aircraft Engines and Auxiliary Power Units [APUs]), operational reliability, technical standards, compliance with regulatory requirements, and a cost-effective operation and maintenance of aircraft engines and APUs through provision of technical and commercial management. The role holder will develop long term direction and scope of the organization to ensure profitability and growth, driving operational efficiency value at optimum cost.

Principal Accountabilities (Responsibility).

Strategic and Business Management

Initiate & develop sectional strategy to meet the operational requirements of the agreed commercial fleet plan ensuring the requirements of KQ and regulatory bodies are met. Develop internal procedures and policies to bring about a continuous improvement in working practices and key performance criteria in line with industry best practice and KQ brand and people management principles. Develop a strong communication plan while managing relationships with KQ Technical department and external stakeholders. Ensure all business processes and procedures are detailed in the Department Procedures or Local Instructions as appropriate. Develop the long-term direction of the section to ensure profitability and growth, driving productivity and efficiency.

Financial Management

Define and manage sectional budget including development and execution of the Engine and APU shop visit plans. Plan and organize short (0 to 3 years), medium (3 to 5 years) and long term (5 to 10 years) maintenance strategies for the aircraft engines and APUs with a firm focus on life cycle cost management. To develop capital budgets for aircraft engines and APUs in line with the needs of the business. Establish aggressive but realistic cost, quality and timeliness objectives for the Propulsion section and drive achievement.

Leadership, People and Supplier Management

Attract, hire, develop and retain the best possible team ensuring that there is an outstanding group of employees with a common vision, sense of purpose and shared values who will focus on superior levels of quality, productivity and customer satisfaction. Drive a high performance team to ensure all outputs and deliverables are met in line with KQ’s long term and strategic goals. Full accountability of decisions within the propulsion engineering unit and full accountability of ensuring effective cross-functional and collaborative leadership at Technical Leadership team. Continually challenge, develop, coach and support team members and lead by example. Lead, direct, motivate and develop the propulsion engineering team to ensure that the agreed standards of performance and contribution are successfully achieved, whilst ensuring all staff receive performance assessments and clear objectives set. Set sectional engagement in line with KQ and the Engineering & Maintenance divisions objectives. Conduct regular one-to-one and team meetings with all direct reports. Regularly communicate Engineering & Maintenance strategy and performance to staff in line with a departmental communication plan. Take personal responsibility for issues of poor performance, disciplinary and staff conduct. Ensure that decisions are in line with company HR policy and take account of all possible outcomes associated with decision making. Ensure planning and execution of all interactions with Propulsion engineering related suppliers, in a coordinated fashion across the relationship lifecycle in order to maximize the value realised through those interactions. Ensure Supplier management plans to deliver value created by contracting is realised (and get a bit more), and benefits include increased visibility into our supply base (reducing risk), increased quality in products and service provided and alignment of our suppliers with KQ processes and corporate goals.

Technical and Safety Management

Setting engine and APU management strategy for asset modifications, integrated maintenance programmes and reliability, and maintenance / work scoping policies to ensure high quality and fully optimised life cycle cost management that matches the fleet operating plans. Setting propulsion equipment and maintenance policies based on technical performance, reliability and cost of ownership, with a firm focus of life cycle cost management and decision making. Ensure all Propulsion section business processes and procedures are detailed in the Department Procedures or Local Instructions, as appropriate. Ensure decision making that will deliver the highest technical standards, whilst ensuring safety and operational reliability, yet minimising operational cost. Ensure that all regulatory and legal requirements, statutory responsibilities and directives pertaining to the sectional activities are in compliance and that the highest levels of technical standards, safety and reliability are maintained.

Support maintenance in troubleshooting to manage repetitive propulsion defects.

Sourcing and Acquisition

Analysis – work with the Fleet Development section as the primary resource for the generation of financial and technical analysis to support engine (and related aircraft) acquisition recommendation to the business leadership in order to meet the strategic fleet plan. Contract Negotiation – Technical Negotiator (lead) for engine lease terms including maintenance reserve rates. Board Papers – Business cases for Engine transactions that require Board approval (e.g. Maintenance Cost Per Hour [MCPH] programs).

Job Requirements

Qualification (Minimum)

Graduate from a recognized university (Mechanical, Aeronautical Electrical/Electronics or equivalent). Understanding of Project Management methodology. Inter-departmental knowledge and liaison. Understanding of aircraft and engine procurement policy. Understanding of basic legal precepts. Working knowledge of current airworthiness regulations. A master’s degree in Engineering is an added advantage. Over 8 years of work experience. 5 Years at supervisory level working with Aircraft Engines.

Additional Details
Other Skills

Demonstrated competence in engineering practices. Advanced technical knowledge on propulsion equipment. Demonstrated knowledge in managing complex engine maintenance operations. knowledge of KCAA/EASA/FAA requirements and Kenya airways procedures. Possess training credentials on various discipline related aircraft standards, regulations, policies and procedures. Must be able to analyze, forecast and challenge logic of events. Experience of managing outsourced operations. Commercial awareness / Financial Management. Knowledge of computer systems in use in technical department. Knowledge of EASA approvals and certification processes will be an added advantage. Influencing & Management skills. Negotiation skills to benefit the company. Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).