Principal Aerospace Structures Engineer, Operational Support

Company Description

Founded in the Queensland outback in 1920, Qantas has grown to be Australia’s largest regional, domestic, and international airline. Qantas has a range of subsidiary businesses that support the overall operations of the Group. The Qantas Group’s main business is the transportation of customers and freight using two complementary airline brands — Qantas and Jetstar — operating regional, domestic, and international services.

Job Description

• Challenge yourself in an exciting career opportunity within the Qantas Engineering Operational Support team
• Permanent full-time position based in Brisbane, working within an experienced and supportive team
• Work in a fast-paced, high-impact role with direct influence on fleet operations
• Exciting opportunity to apply your expertise in Aerospace Structures.

Qantas Engineering keeps us at the forefront of aviation, caring and maintaining both the Qantas fleet, as well as aircraft for our customers across the Asia-Pacific region. Working with state-of-the-art equipment and resources, our shared commitment to professional excellence continues to keep our customers safe.

We’re constantly evolving, and this means the opportunities for our people are endless. In every role there’s the opportunity to embrace personal development and career growth, ownership of projects, and the ability to make an impact. Taking ownership is critical. Whether working individually or as part of a team, we challenge ourselves to make progress and deliver results

As Principal Structures Engineer, Operational Support, you will provide operational engineering support for the Qantas aircraft fleet. Reporting to the Manager Operational Support and based within the Qantas Engineering Operational Support team, your key responsibilities will include providing aircraft operational and production design support, developing repairs and authorisations to enable continued in-service operation under Qantas’ CASA Design Organisation 21J approval. You will also visit aircraft sites to provide direct on-site support to the Part 145 Rapid Aircraft Maintenance team, while establishing aircraft repair design and modification requirements, including the associated approvals.

In this role, you will ensure the delivery of specialist professional engineering advice in the relevant field; Exercise mature judgement; Responsible for major projects and/or programs; Supervision of organisation unit as applicable. You will be an expert in your Aerospace structures field and exercise a mature professional engineering judgment in a broad range of fields.

You’ll have –

• Professional Engineering degree qualifications in Aeronautical, Mechanical or equivalent
• Extensive aircraft maintenance support experience, particularly in repair development, design approval, and engineering instructions for Boeing and Airbus aircraft
• Approximately 10 years’ industry experience, including substantial exposure to Qantas Group aircraft or comparable commercial widebody fleets
• Current or previous Design Signatory approval holder for Part 25 Transport Category Airplanes, or the ability to demonstrate equivalent experience in this area.
• Thorough working knowledge of CASR Part 21 regulations, with an understanding of EASA and FAA regulations desirable
• Experience managing small to medium design projects or technical tasks to meet stakeholder requirements
• Strong organisational, communication, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and explain complex technical information clearly
• Comprehensive understanding of Qantas and customer maintenance operations, including continuing airworthiness procedures and processes.
• A customer-focused approach, with the flexibility to support wider business projects and build effective stakeholder relationships
• Experience leading, supporting and developing others through coaching, mentoring and knowledge sharing

Why Qantas?

You’ll join a team where creativity and passion are encouraged. Our people come together to allow us to dream big and deliver successfully.  There are many different opportunities across our team, which means you’ll be able to grow both personally and professionally at Qantas. Your development is a priority for us – so that you can maintain the high standards our customers have come to expect and can continue to develop over time. You’ll be supported from day 1 with on the job training and coaching as well as our formal training opportunities. While you may start in this role, we’ve got a great track record of supporting our people to take their career in so many different directions, the destinations are endless. 

The Qantas employee benefits program offers amazing benefits that extend well beyond travel.

• We love to travel: Enjoy heavily discounted air travel within Australia and across the globe, both for you and your family and friends, as well as exclusive deals on accommodation and holidays.
• We have flexible leave options: Make use of leave and flexible working opportunities including 18 weeks paid parental leave and the option to purchase additional paid leave for eligible employees.
• We’ll give you access to thousands of rewards: Through our partnerships we can offer you discounts across shopping, food and wine, insurance, health and wellbeing, leisure and entertainment. You can also take advantage of our salary packaging program including motor vehicles, eligible portable electronic devices and professional memberships.
• We’ll support your wellbeing: Whether it’s learning to better support your own and others’ mental health, our interactive wellbeing app or your very own tailored nutrition plan.

Qantas is an equal opportunity employer, so by coming to work for us, you’ll be part of an organisation that encourages diversity, supports charities and environmental initiatives. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. 

Be a part of something special and play your part in the Qantas story – get in touch today. 

Applications close: Monday 24th August 2026

• Business Function: Engineering & Maintenance
• Parent Business Function: Engineering & Maintenance
• Time Type: Full time
• Worker Sub-Type: Permanent
• Entity: Qantas Airways Limited