Maintenance Planning Engineer - Sharjah
Date: 27 Aug 2025
Company: Air Arabia PJSC (G9)
Location: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Job Purpose
The role of a Maintenance Planning Engineer at Air Arabia is highly critical in ensuring that every aircraft in the fleet remains safe, airworthy, and reliable. The position involves the careful planning, scheduling, and coordination of both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance tasks. This is not just about technical expertise—it also requires vision, foresight, and the ability to anticipate operational challenges before they arise.
In simple words, the engineer is the backbone of the maintenance strategy, bridging the gap between day-to-day operations and long-term reliability. By creating structured maintenance plans and coordinating with multiple teams, the engineer helps keep flights on schedule, prevents costly delays, and ensures compliance with international aviation standards.
The position is also about balance. The engineer must balance safety, cost-effectiveness, manpower utilization, and operational requirements all at once. Every maintenance decision has a ripple effect, and the job demands constant awareness of this responsibility.
Key Responsibilities
The responsibilities of a Maintenance Planning Engineer go far beyond paperwork. They shape the reliability of the entire airline’s operations. Below is a detailed breakdown of the expectations:
1. Maintenance Planning
One of the core duties is to develop both long-term and short-term maintenance plans. These plans are based on the approved maintenance program and technical documents issued by CAMO engineering services. Planning must consider not just the aircraft’s condition but also operational requirements, availability of resources, and seasonal changes in flight schedules.
2. Forecasting & Scheduling
The engineer is expected to forecast maintenance activities using the company’s MIS system (AMOS). Forecasting allows the team to prepare work packages in advance, ensuring that everything—tools, manpower, spare parts—is ready before the aircraft even lands for scheduled checks.
3. Work Package Creation
Maintenance packages are more than just documents. They are detailed roadmaps that guide technicians on what needs to be done, when, and how. These packages may include Gantt charts, preloads, and checklists, all aimed at making the maintenance process smooth and error-free.
4. Coordination Across Departments
Maintenance planning does not happen in isolation. The engineer must coordinate with procurement, line maintenance, MCC (Maintenance Control Center), finance, and third-party vendors. Each of these teams plays a role in ensuring that maintenance tasks are executed on time and within budget.
5. Managing Emergencies
Aviation is unpredictable. A sudden technical snag or unexpected defect can disrupt flight schedules. The engineer plays a vital role in re-planning quickly and efficiently, minimizing downtime while maintaining safety and compliance.
6. Compliance & Documentation
Every action in aviation is governed by rules. The engineer must ensure compliance with airworthiness directives, service bulletins, and modifications. Proper record-keeping is mandatory, not only for audits but also to demonstrate that safety standards are never compromised.
Qualifications
To qualify for this role, candidates need both educational and professional strengths:
- A university degree in Aircraft Engineering, Aeronautical, Aerospace, Industrial, or equivalent fields.
- Project Management certification or equivalent work experience.
- Additional training in Cost Control, Budgeting, Quality Assurance, and Compliance adds strong value.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and MRO systems like AMOS.
- Excellent communication skills—both verbal and written—for clear reporting and teamwork.
- Fluency in English, which is the international aviation standard.
Work Experience
Experience is a key requirement for this role. A successful candidate should bring:
- At least 5 years in the aviation industry, with 4 years specifically as a Planning Engineer or equivalent.
- Hands-on experience with Airbus A320 is highly desirable.
- Familiarity with essential planning systems, procedures, and documents like MPD, MRB, and AMP.
- Solid knowledge of aviation regulations such as CAR-M, CAR-145, PART 21, and TPM manuals.
- Experience working with diverse teams in high-pressure, fast-changing environments.
- Exposure to flight operations and quality assurance practices.
- Proven ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and deliver results accurately.
Why This Role Matters
Being a Maintenance Planning Engineer is not just another job—it is a responsibility that directly impacts passenger safety, cost efficiency, and airline reputation. A single oversight can result in flight delays, increased costs, or worse, safety risks. That’s why Air Arabia is looking for professionals who are not only technically skilled but also highly detail-oriented and capable of making the right decisions under pressure.
For candidates passionate about aviation, this role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the airline’s success while growing in a challenging and rewarding environment.
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