Propulsion Engineering Lead at Kenya Airways

Brief Description        

The role holder will be responsible for thecore activity of Propulsion Engineering Section, ensuring strategic developmentand management of all propulsion equipment (Aircraft Engines and AuxiliaryPower Units [APUs]), operational reliability, technical standards, compliance withregulatory requirements, and a cost-effective operation and maintenance ofaircraft engines and APUs through provision of technical and commercialmanagement. The role holder will develop long term direction and scope of theorganization to ensure profitability and growth, driving operational efficiencyvalue at optimum cost.

Detailed Description        

Principal Accountabilities (Responsibility)

Strategic and Business Management

• • Initiate& develop sectional strategy to meet the operational requirements of theagreed commercial fleet plan ensuring the requirements of KQ and regulatorybodies are met.
• Develop internal procedures and policies to bring about acontinuous improvement in working practices and key performance criteria inline with industry best practice and KQ brand and people management principles.
• Develop a strong communication plan while managing relationships with KQTechnical department and external stakeholders.
• Ensure all business processesand procedures are detailed in the Department Procedures or Local Instructionsas appropriate.
• Develop the long-term direction of the section to ensureprofitability and growth, driving productivity and efficiency.

Financial Management

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

Leadership, People and SupplierManagement

• Attract,hire, develop and retain the best possible team ensuring that there is anoutstanding group of employees with a common vision, sense of purpose andshared values who will focus on superior levels of quality, productivity andcustomer satisfaction.
• Drive a high performance team to ensure all outputsand deliverables are met in line with KQ’s long term and strategic goals.
• Full accountability of decisions within the propulsion engineering unit andfull accountability of ensuring effective cross-functional and collaborativeleadership at Technical Leadership team.
• Continually challenge, develop, coachand support team members and lead by example.
• Lead, direct, motivate anddevelop the propulsion engineering team to ensure that the agreed standards ofperformance and contribution are successfully achieved, whilst ensuring allstaff receive performance assessments and clear objectives set.
• Set sectionalengagement in line with KQ and the Engineering & Maintenance division’sobjectives.
• Conduct regular one-to-one and team meetings with all directreports. Regularly communicate Engineering & Maintenance strategy andperformance to staff in line with a departmental communication plan.
• Takepersonal responsibility for issues of poor performance, disciplinary and staffconduct. Ensure that decisions are in line with company HR policy and takeaccount of all possible outcomes associated with decision making.
•  Ensureplanning and execution of all interactions with Propulsion engineering relatedsuppliers, in a coordinated fashion across the relationship lifecycle in orderto maximize the value realised through those interactions
• Ensure Suppliermanagement plans to deliver value created by contracting is realised (and get abit more), and benefits include increased visibility into our supply base(reducing risk), increased quality in products and service provided andalignment of our suppliers with KQ processes and corporate goals.

Technical and Safety Management

• Settingengine and APU management strategy for asset modifications, integratedmaintenance programmes and reliability, and maintenance / work scoping policiesto ensure high quality and fully optimised life cycle cost management thatmatches the fleet operating plans.
• Setting propulsion equipment andmaintenance policies based on technical performance, reliability and cost ofownership, with a firm focus of life cycle cost management and decision making.
• Ensure all Propulsion section business processes and procedures are detailedin the Department Procedures or Local Instructions, as appropriate.
• Ensuredecision making that will deliver the highest technical standards, whilstensuring safety and operational reliability, yet minimising operational cost.
• Ensure that all regulatory and legal requirements, statutory responsibilitiesand directives pertaining to the sectional activities are in compliance andthat the highest levels of technical standards, safety and reliability aremaintained
• Support maintenance in troubleshooting to manage repetitivepropulsion defects.

Sourcing and Acquisition

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

Job Requirements        
Qualification (Minimum)

• Graduate from arecognized university (Mechanical, Aeronautical Electrical/Electronics orequivalent).
• Understanding of Project Managementmethodology.
• Inter-departmental knowledge andliaison.
• Understanding of aircraft and engine procurementpolicy.
• Understanding of basic legal precepts.
• Workingknowledge of current airworthiness regulations.
• A master’s degreein Engineering is an added advantage.
• Over 8 years of work experience.
• 5 Years at supervisory level working with AircraftEngines.              

Additional Details        

Other Skills 

• Demonstratedcompetence in engineering practices.
• Advanced technical knowledge onpropulsion equipment.
• Demonstrated knowledge in managing complex enginemaintenance operations.
• Knowledge of KCAA/EASA/FAA requirements and Kenyaairways procedures.
• Possess training credentials on various disciplinerelated aircraft standards, regulations, policies and procedures
• Must beable to analyze, forecast and challenge logic of events.
• Experience ofmanaging outsourced operations.
• Commercial awareness / Financial Management.
• Knowledge of computer systems in use in technical department.
• Knowledge ofEASA approvals and certification processes will be an added advantage
• Influencing & Management skills.
• Negotiation skills to benefit thecompany.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).