Full-Time
Lead Mechanic
Willis Aviation
51-200 employees
Leases and maintains commercial aircraft engines
No salary listed
Darlington, UK
In Person
 Mechanical Engineering (1) |
|---|
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- An aeronautical apprenticeship or recognized qualification in aircraft maintenance is required.
- At least 4 years of aircraft maintenance experience is required.
- Practical experience across mechanical, structural, and powerplant maintenance disciplines is required.
- Knowledge of aircraft maintenance standards and the ability to use aircraft maintenance data are required.
- Initial Human Factors, Fuel Tank Safety, and Electrical Wiring Interconnect System training is required.
- The role requires attention to detail and a methodical approach to completing work orders and task cards.
- The role requires the ability to prioritize workloads and work effectively in a fast-paced maintenance environment.
- The role requires flexibility in working hours to meet operational requirements.
- Good written and spoken English is required.
- Perform aircraft maintenance, repair, and modification tasks.
- Support Licensed Aircraft Engineers with maintenance activities.
- Assist the Crew Chief with work allocation and day-to-day coordination of maintenance activities.
- Maintain awareness of work pack requirements, maintenance progress, and critical path activities to help achieve turnaround targets.
- Read, interpret, and apply maintenance manuals, service bulletins, engineering drawings, task cards, and other technical documentation.
- Complete maintenance documentation accurately and assist with defect reporting.
- Investigate and order required aircraft spares.
- Ensure compliance with the Maintenance Organisation Exposition, company procedures, and health and safety requirements.
- Promote a positive safety culture through hazard reporting and continuous improvement.
- Support general housekeeping and facility maintenance when required.
- Carry out additional duties as directed by the Base Maintenance Manager.
- The posting welcomes candidates with Sheet Metal expertise or a Cabin maintenance focus.
- Strong teamwork and communication skills are desired.
Willis Aviation leases commercial aircraft engines worldwide to airlines, OEMs and MROs. It offers short- and long-term engine leases and pooling programs to provide various benefits. The company also provides asset management, engine/aircraft trading, end-of-life solutions, and related support through Willis entities. Its services include Part 145 maintenance, line and base maintenance, disassembly, storage, and airport/ground handling with 24/7 AOG response, aiming to give customers a competitive edge through a broad, integrated engine leasing and service ecosystem.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Novato, California
Founded
1985
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- WLFC reported Q2 2026 lease-rent revenue up 6.7% and AUM at $4.4 billion.
- Willis Aviation added A320neo capability in 2026, widening narrow-body maintenance demand.
- Jet2's expanded two-line maintenance commitment filled Willis' new Teesside hangar.
What critics are saying
- Willis Aviation depends on one Teesside site; fire, labor, or runway disruption stops revenue.
- Jet2 concentration stays dangerous; losing that contract would hit utilization within months.
- Heavy hangar capex and WLFC leverage tie Willis Aviation to the engine-leasing parent's balance sheet.
What makes Willis Aviation unique
- Teesside's Hangar 2 gives Willis Aviation CAA, EASA, 2-Reg, and Cayman approvals.
- Willis Aviation pairs aircraft MRO with disassembly, storage, handling, and lease-return work.
- A 2025 Jet2 deal and 250-year Teesside lease anchor scarce UK hangar capacity.
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Benefits
Flexible Work Hours
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Wellness Program
Commuter Benefits
Employee Discounts
Employee Referral Bonus
Performance Bonus
Company News
Willis Lease Finance Corporation reported a 21% year-over-year increase in assets under management to $4.4 billion in Q2 2026, driven by new discretionary fund seeding. Modern engine platforms now comprise 60% of the portfolio by net book value, reflecting a strategic shift towards fuel-efficient technology. The company recognised a $5.4 million loss on debt extinguishment related to capital restructuring and the issuance of $200 million in convertible senior notes. A 3-for-1 stock split was implemented in July 2026 to enhance equity liquidity. Management noted reduced short-term maintenance reserve revenue as customers flew fewer hours on older, less fuel-efficient platforms during elevated fuel pricing periods. The company signed a major engine storage agreement with Pratt & Whitney and expects balanced growth between its balance sheet and Willis Aviation Capital moving forward.
Willis Lease Finance has signed a five-year storage agreement with Pratt & Whitney covering engine storage and lease return services. The deal expands the company's aviation aftermarket capabilities and utilises its Coconut Creek and Bridgend facilities. The contract covers several widely used commercial engine families, positioning Willis Lease Finance alongside major aerospace groups such as General Electric and Rolls-Royce in engine services. The agreement enables the company to monetise existing infrastructure through contract-based work rather than relying solely on engine leasing. The stock currently trades at $71.33, up 59.6% year to date. Earnings grew 16.4% over the past year. The company trades at a P/E of 13x, below the US market P/E of 19.3x.
Four Tree Island Advisory, a top-10 shareholder in Willis Lease Finance Corporation, announced that proxy advisors ISS and Glass Lewis have recommended shareholders vote against director Stephen Jones's election and the company's executive compensation at the 26 May annual meeting. ISS cited "unmitigated pay-for-performance misalignment" and noted the chairman's base salary is "relatively high" with "outsized and discretionary" bonuses. Glass Lewis questioned "substantial one-off grants" to Charles Willis. Four Tree Island highlighted that whilst revenue grew 160% over five years, EBITDA increased only 89% and SG&A expenses rose 236%. The shareholder also noted Willis Lease underperformed competitor FTAI Aviation by approximately 431% and 629% over three- and five-year periods respectively. Four Tree Island urges shareholders to vote against all proposals except auditor ratification.
Willis Lease Finance Corporation, a commercial aircraft engine lessor, has priced an upsized public offering of $200 million in 2.50% convertible senior notes due 2031, up from the previously announced $175 million. The company expects net proceeds of approximately $193.1 million after fees and expenses. The notes will be convertible at an initial rate of 3.7202 shares per $1,000 principal amount, representing a conversion price of approximately $268.80 per share. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, BofA Securities and Deutsche Bank Securities are joint book-running managers. Concurrently, Morgan Stanley is conducting a separate offering of 281,250 borrowed shares at $192.00 per share to facilitate hedging transactions by note investors. Willis will not receive proceeds from this share offering. Both offerings are expected to close on 18 May 2026.
Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) will trade ex-dividend on 11 May, with shareholders needing to be on the company's books by the record date to receive the US$0.40 per share dividend, payable on 22 May. The company has distributed US$1.60 per share over the past 12 months, representing a 0.7% trailing yield on its current share price of US$225.47. Whilst Willis Lease Finance paid just 7.6% of its profit after tax in dividends, leaving comfortable headroom, the company paid out 122% of its free cash flow as dividends over the past year. This high payout ratio relative to cash flow raises concerns about sustainability, as consistently paying more cash than generated typically requires borrowing or using company reserves.