Armament Trade Lead

The post holder will be an experienced Armament Technician and Supervisor responsible to the Forward Deputy Maintenance Manager (FDMM).

The post holder requires an excellent understanding of the approved data set and is competent to supervise personnel carrying out maintenance instructions in accordance with the organisation’s regulatory framework.

Deputising for the FDMM during periods of absence, assuming their responsibilities as required.

Deputising for the Rectification Controllers during periods of absence, assuming their responsibilities as required.

Responsible for:

• The effective day-to-day management of Forward Maintenance Armament trade specific manpower and equipment resources, in accordance with policy and priorities laid down by the Maintenance Manager to provide sufficient safe and serviceable aircraft to meet the flying tasks.
  
• Advising the FDMM of any engineering or supply problems likely to jeopardise flight safety or significantly affect the published flying programme.
  
• Advising the FDMM of any practice, procedure or system which threatens the safety or quality of the Forward Maintenance logistics effort.
  

The post holder will be responsible for:

• Ensuring that all personnel under their management are suitably trained and authorised for their primary duties and maintain and record their required levels of currency.
  
• Ensuring Armaments trade personnel are trained and able to carry out full and comprehensive handovers of technical issues and management information to the oncoming shift using the respective Trade Diary.
  
• Ensuring that Armaments trade personnel complete all mandated training (HF, CoC, etc).
  
• Ensuring new Armaments trade arrivals complete the necessary requirements, training and authorisations to enable them to carry out their primary duties in a timely manner
  
• Training of and maintaining appropriate Armaments maintenance incident team cover during flying operations.
  
• Managing the Forward Maintenance Armaments manpower shift lists to meet the flying programme and ensure all required personnel administration is carried out and submitted within the appropriate timeframe (e.g. leave planner etc.).
  
• Monitoring the submission of Armaments TPRFs to develop and maintain accurate approved data.
  
• Monitoring the standard of Armaments facilities and ensure any defects are reported to the Support and Training Management.
  
• Monitoring standards of Armaments personnel across forward maintenance.
  
• Monitoring Armaments usage of approved data for accuracy.
  
• Ensuring the Armaments Trade Desks are able to effectively liaise with Maintenance Operations, Sqn Operations and Fleet Planning for appropriate allocation of aircraft to the flying programme and integrate fully the forward maintenance and operational activities.
  
• Ensuring Oversight Checks are carried out of all forward Armaments maintenance operating areas on a scheduled basis and are reported into the FDMM.
  
• Completion of weekly Armaments trade standards and practices quality checks (physical and ESS).
  

In addition the post holder will:

• Act as the Armament trade specific point of contact for all internal and external agencies and organisations.
  
• Undertake any duties/tasking or instructions as directed by the FDMM.
  
• In conjunction with the FDMM undertake strategic Armaments reviews, challenge current practices to identify potential areas for improvement and assist in the forward planning of forward maintenance to develop efficiency and continuous improvement.
  
• In conjunction with the Forward Maintenance Managers ensure the compilation and timely release of Armaments Flt Safety and Ground Incident Reports and all required Follow Up reports.
  
• Co-ordinate with forward maintenance Training and Support Management all Armaments QA audit reports within the agreed timescales.
  
• Identify any Armaments malpractice that could affect the airworthiness of the assigned aircraft fleet and highlighting and documenting the issue/concern to the FDMM and/or appropriate authority.
  

Performance indicators – Ensure the effective management of regulatory activities by setting delivery targets, monitoring progress and developing performance improvement programs. Prioritises activities within/across teams to maximise efficiency. Responsible for the assessment of escalated issues for any impact on continuing airworthiness and generating effective resolution, or sponsoring escalation to management, as appropriate

Procedure/standards – Manage the Armaments trade team compliance with the Part 145 Exposition, its associated procedures and standards, and any other Company procedures and standards, as applicable. Identify, propose and implement change as required, whilst ensuring compliance

Safety Management System – Promote the application of Human Factors, Error Management, Risk Management and Safety Assurance within the Part 145 Armaments team(s), together with the proactive analysis, mitigation and management of hazards

Completion of activities – Ensure all Part 145 Armaments activities are appropriately documented and airworthiness records are maintained on relevant systems (IT / paper based). Ensure suitably qualified, experienced and authorised personnel perform all Part 145 Armaments activities. Ensure the integration of Part 145   activity within the business, including the engagement of key stakeholders at all stages of the process. Provide support and guidance to the Armaments team

Management System Assurance – Ensure Armaments maintenance activities are compliant with the QAF governance and assurance framework, including supporting process confirmations and independent assurance audits. Support the response to audit findings in a timely and appropriate manner and provide information to support the relevant reviews. Support the implementation of identified improvements to overcome any non-compliance and monitor effectiveness

Statutory/Regulatory & Legislative requirements – Able to demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding and application of the relevant continuing airworthiness regulatory framework. Support the implementation of any regulatory driven changes into the maintenance activities. Ensure compliance with all other requirements, e.g. ITAR, EaPW, ISO

• Contractual Requirements – Comply with all applicable contractual requirements
  

The post holder will be required to hold the following essential authorisations:

oAsset Manager

oCo-ordinate Aircraft and MWOs

oDownload and Upload PMDS

oResolve arisings from PMDS

oIndependent Inspections (specify extent and undertake)

oTow Typhoon

oAssessor for General and Trade specific authorisations as required.

Completion of an Engineering Apprenticeship, ideally in Aeronautical Engineering or Military equivalent apprenticeship / qualifications. Academic qualification for this role is a minimum of City & Guilds 2675 or 2661 in Aeronautical Engineering and Maintenance or equivalent. Aircraft platform training (On a/c requirement)

Requires a minimum of 2 years working at Supervisor level prior to undertaking this role

On the Job Training Instructional Techniques

Requires broad and in-depth product knowledge/competency within own technical/subject area. Awareness of how the team integrates with others in order to achieve the overall objectives of the area and demonstrates an understanding of the requirement for continuous improvement and its application

Typhoon Armament Trade ‘Q’ Course or equivalent.

Ensure personal compliance with the risk assessments, SHE policies and procedures

Human Factors- Standard Course Specification.

E&PW Awareness- Standard Course Specification.

ITAR Awareness- Standard Course Specification.

IT Literate.