This position requires in-person collaboration up to five days a week. This arrangement is subject to change based on business requirements.
Why WestJet:
Since our story took off in 1996, WestJet has strived to enrich the lives of everyone in our world; a career with us is no exception. We’re proud to be one of Canada’s most admired and respected corporate cultures and continuously aim for the highest standards of service and success.
Join us, this is where your career story takes off.
Overview of Role
We are seeking a Director, Engineering and Technical Services to provide strategic leadership and governance of engineering and technical services functions across the WestJet Group fleet.
This role is accountable for fleet airworthiness, engineering governance, regulatory compliance, and reliability performance. The Director ensures the integrity of engineering standards, technical decision-making, and operational support to maintain aircraft availability and protect the Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
Operating within the Technical Operations organization and in close partnership with the VP Fleet function, this role focuses on engineering oversight (not asset ownership), ensuring alignment on fleet performance, lifecycle initiatives, and regulatory obligations.
Key Accountabilities:
Engineering Governance & Technical Authority
- Provide enterprise-wide oversight of engineering standards, technical approvals, and delegated authority.
- Ensure all engineering decisions, policies, and practices align with Transport Canada requirements, OEM specifications, and internal standards.
- Govern configuration control and technical publications to maintain accurate, compliant aircraft records.
- Act as the senior engineering authority supporting AOC compliance and regulatory adherence.
Fleet Reliability & Engineering Strategy
- Own the enterprise fleet reliability strategy, leveraging engineering analytics, root cause analysis, and corrective action programs.
- Lead powerplant and systems reliability performance, including monitoring, troubleshooting governance, and OEM engagement.
- Drive initiatives to improve aircraft availability, reduce operational disruptions, and minimize AOG events.
- Establish reliability programs and performance frameworks to optimize operational outcomes.
In-Service Engineering & Operational Support
- Provide leadership and direction to In-Service Engineering to support day-to-day operations and optimize aircraft utilization.
- Ensure timely, effective technical support to maintenance and operational teams for complex or recurring issues.
- Balance operational responsiveness with strong engineering governance and independent oversight.
Regulatory Compliance & Airworthiness
- Establish governance and prioritization frameworks for Airworthiness Directives (ADs), Service Bulletins (SBs), and OEM recommendations.
- Ensure timely evaluation, applicability determination, and implementation strategies aligned with operational impact.
- Maintain full compliance with Transport Canada and applicable regulatory authorities.
OEM & External Stakeholder Management
- Act as the primary engineering interface with OEMs, regulators, and key technical vendors.
- Influence OEM performance, escalation management, and technical issue resolution.
- Ensure external partnerships support reliability, compliance, and operational performance objectives.
Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of engineering leaders and technical specialists (50–100 employees).
- Set direction, priorities, and resource allocation across Engineering and Technical Services.
- Foster a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.
- Oversee succession planning, capability development, and organizational effectiveness within the function.
Cross-Functional Alignment
- Partner closely with the VP Fleet organization to ensure alignment on fleet programs, lifecycle initiatives, and performance outcomes.
- Collaborate with Maintenance, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure integrated operational performance.
- Provide independent engineering expertise while maintaining clear governance boundaries between engineering and asset management.
Experience and Qualifications:
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
- Minimum 10–12 years of progressive experience in engineering/technical services within airline, MRO, or OEM environments.
- Significant senior leadership experience overseeing engineering governance, reliability, and compliance functions.
Licenses & Certifications
- Professional Engineering designation (P.Eng.) preferred.
- Deep knowledge of regulatory frameworks (Transport Canada, FAA, EASA).
Skills & Capabilities
- Strong strategic leadership with the ability to operate at both enterprise and operational levels.
- Deep expertise in engineering governance, airworthiness, and reliability programs.
- Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives and influence without direct authority.
- Advanced analytical capability, including reliability data interpretation and root cause analysis.
- Experience with Lean, continuous improvement, and large-scale operational change.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including regulators and OEMs.
- High integrity, sound judgment, and ability to make critical decisions in time-sensitive environments.
The benefits of being a WestJetter:
WestJet provides all WestJetters with a competitive total rewards package. On top of that, we offer:
- A fun and friendly culture with colleagues who work together to win
- Travel privileges for you and your family, effective from your start date
- Savings and Benefit programs that are flexible to meet your specific needs
Think we’re a great fit? Apply now!
About WestJet Group of Companies
WestJet took to the skies in 1996 with just over 200 employees and three aircraft operating service to five destinations. Since then, WestJet has pioneered low-cost travel in Canada, cutting airfares in half, and increasing the flying population in Canada by more than 50 per cent. Since the Sunwing Airlines integration in 2025, more than 15,000 WestJetters support nearly 200 aircraft and connect guests to our global network of more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. The WestJet Group is a major Canadian employer and includes WestJet Airlines, WestJet Encore and Sunwing Vacations Group. We’re Canada’s leading value airline and largest vacation provider, with a united purpose of providing affordable and accessible air and vacation travel to Canadians.
Our safety promise
At WestJet, the safety and security of our people and our guests is a core value and at the heart of what we do. Safety and security are shared responsibilities all team members are expected to use safe work practices to ensure their well-being and the safety of others. WestJet recognizes that the use of Alcohol and Drugs can adversely impact a safe work environment and the well-being of others including guests, suppliers and the public, as well as place WestJet's operations at risk. All roles that are identified as Safey-Sensitive are required to pass a Pre-Employment Alcohol and Drug Test as per WestJet's Alcohol and Drug Policy.
Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
We embrace what makes each of us unique, and what makes us uniquely WestJet. We welcome diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds so if you're passionate about this role, we encourage you to apply – even if you don't meet every qualification listed. WestJet is committed to inclusiveness, equity and accessibility throughout the selection process. If you require accommodation at any stage, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at
[email protected].
We value the time and effort you put into your application. Our recruitment process is highly competitive and while every applicant will receive communication regarding their application status, only those selected to move forward will be contacted with next steps. If this role isn’t the right fit, we encourage you to explore future opportunities with us.
For more information about everything WestJet, please westjet.com/aboutus.
If you wish to withdraw your application or request that your personal information be deleted, please contact us at
[email protected].
