Director, Engineering Technical Services

WestJet Group•Calgary, AB

1d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
Professional Engineering designation (P.Eng.) preferred.
Deep knowledge of regulatory frameworks (Transport Canada, FAA, EASA).
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.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.