- Provide strategic leadership and oversight of safety programs across Engineering and Ground Operations
- Lead cross-functional collaboration, driving proactive safety culture and risk-informed approaches
- Permanent position based at our Mascot Campus
Today, we’re busy planning for tomorrow. We look to the future to guide the way we innovate, helping us stay relevant and responsive in an unpredictable industry. We’ve always been pioneers, and we’re proud to see that spirit in our people. Our resilience has helped us through good and tough times, and it still drives us to keep pushing the challenging expectations today.
The Head of Engineering & Ground Safety is a senior leadership position tasked with providing strategic direction, governance, and ongoing enhancement of safety programs across Engineering, Ground Operations, and Dangerous Goods. This role is pivotal in driving cross-functional collaboration across key business units including Engineering, Airport Services, Freight and Safety to effectively manage risks in our operation.
The role promotes a proactive, learning-based approach to safety, emphasizing how work is successfully carried out under varying conditions to build greater system resilience. With broad organizational impact, the role plays a vital part in supporting the airline’s strategic safety goals and reinforcing our standing as a global leader in aviation safety.
You’ll have –
- Demonstrated experience in a senior management role, with a strong background in airline operational leadership.
- Extensive knowledge of aviation compliance requirements, legislation, and industry regulations impacting all facets of Group operations.
- Significant experience engaging with regulatory authorities and government stakeholders, both domestic and international.
- Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field, with a combination of a technical undergraduate degree and postgraduate studies in business or management preferred.
- Proven expertise in developing and implementing aviation compliance programs.
- Strong capability in engaging and liaising with aviation regulators and officials in Australia and internationally, including jurisdictions where Qantas operates.
- Highly developed interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- In-depth, comprehensive understanding of the Qantas Group’s operations.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams.
- Exceptional attention to detail with a methodical and thorough approach.
- Flexibility and adaptability to respond to evolving priorities and operational requirements.
- Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
- Effective time management and project delivery capabilities.
- High levels of motivation, innovation, and professional integrity.
- Ability to build and maintain constructive, respected, and effective relationships across both formal structures and informal networks.
- Consistent delivery against corporate and departmental service standards.
- Commitment to workplace safety compliance and best practices.
- Proven leadership skills, with a track record of leading high-performing teams.
- Demonstrated ability to engage and operate effectively at Board and executive levels.
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 (plus superannuation payments on all paid and unpaid parental leave until your child turns 1) and additional purchased leave options 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 committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application. Your personal information will be kept confidential in compliance with relevant privacy legislation.
Be a part of something special and play your part in the Qantas story – get in touch today.
Applications close: Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Please note: applications will only be considered for candidates who have the right to work in Australia / New Zealand without restriction or sponsorship.
About us
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.
About us
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.
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