RTX, through the Christchurch Engine Centre, is recruiting multiple Aircraft Tradespeople for permanent, full-time positions in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The roles are part of an expansion of the centre’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines.
The employer is welcoming qualified tradespeople with backgrounds in aviation, mechanical engineering, heavy diesel, automotive, electrical and related technical fields.
The position offers competitive remuneration, overtime opportunities, training and professional development. Relocation assistance is also available for eligible domestic and international applicants, making this opportunity potentially relevant to skilled workers outside New Zealand.
Job Overview
- Employer: RTX
- Organisation: Christchurch Engine Centre
- Position: Aircraft Tradesperson
- Location: Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand
- Work location: 115 Orchard Road, Christchurch
- Employment: Full-time
- Contract: Permanent
- Work arrangement: Onsite
- Experience: Minimum 3 years’ relevant hands-on experience
- Qualification: NZQA Level 4 trade qualification or equivalent
- Shifts: Rotating day and night shifts
- Relocation assistance: Available for eligible domestic and international applicants
- Job posted: September 2026
About the Aircraft Tradesperson Role
Christchurch Engine Centre is looking for qualified Aircraft Tradespeople to join its expanding engine maintenance operation.
Successful candidates will work within designated assembly and disassembly workstations after completing the required induction training.
The role involves working with aircraft engines and related equipment while following manufacturer manuals, technical instructions and customer-specific requirements.
Accuracy, safety and attention to detail are essential because the work involves highly regulated aerospace equipment.
Main Responsibilities
As an Aircraft Tradesperson, your responsibilities may include:
- Working within designated engine assembly or disassembly workstations.
- Operating tools, machinery and specialist equipment.
- Performing engine assembly and disassembly activities.
- Conducting inspections and maintenance work.
- Following manufacturer manuals and technical instructions.
- Completing tasks according to customer-specific requirements.
- Reading and interpreting engine manuals.
- Following established work instructions accurately.
- Meeting production timelines and milestones.
- Helping ensure engines are delivered for testing and returned to customers on schedule.
- Completing relevant transactions and updates in SAP.
- Maintaining accurate records of completed work.
- Following all applicable quality and compliance procedures.
- Maintaining high standards of workplace health and safety.
- Working collaboratively with other members of the engineering and maintenance team.
Working Hours
This is a full-time role involving a fortnightly rotating shift schedule.
The advertised pattern is:
Day shift:
7:00 am – 3:30 pm
Night shift:
3:45 pm – 12:15 am
Employees may also have opportunities to work overtime, with additional compensation provided according to the applicable arrangements.
Applicants should be comfortable working rotating day and night shifts.
Requirements
To be considered for the Aircraft Tradesperson position, applicants should have:
- A NZQA Level 4 trade qualification or equivalent.
- At least 3 years of hands-on experience in aerospace, automotive, mechanical engineering or a related technical field.
- The ability to accurately follow technical processes and instructions.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Good organisational skills.
- Effective communication skills.
- The ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- A strong commitment to safety and quality.
- The ability to perform physically demanding work.
The position can involve:
- Standing
- Walking
- Bending
- Lifting
- Kneeling
- Twisting
Applicants should therefore be capable of safely performing the physical requirements of the position.
Preferred Experience
Experience in the following areas would be advantageous:
- Aircraft engine maintenance.
- Engine MRO.
- Aerospace engineering.
- Aircraft maintenance.
- Reading technical drawings.
- Interpreting engine manuals.
- Working in regulated engineering environments.
Candidates with relevant trade backgrounds outside the aerospace industry may also be considered.
Salary and Benefits
The employer offers a comprehensive employment package that includes:
- Competitive salary.
- Structured allowances.
- Overtime pay of approximately 1.5x to 2.0x, depending on applicable circumstances.
- Superannuation.
- Performance bonuses.
- Shift allowances.
- Meal allowances.
- Additional paid leave.
- Long-service recognition.
- Performance recognition.
- Career development opportunities.
- Training and mentoring.
- Secondment opportunities.
- Scholarship programme.
- Discounted services and products.
- Health insurance-related benefits.
- Financial advisory support.
- Secure onsite parking.
- AirNZ Social Club access.
- Wellness initiatives.
- Employee support programmes.
Relocation Support for International Applicants
One of the most relevant features of this vacancy for overseas candidates is that relocation assistance is available for eligible international applicants.
This may help qualified workers who are selected for the role with the practical costs and arrangements involved in relocating to Christchurch.
However, the advertisement does not explicitly confirm visa sponsorship. International applicants should therefore confirm with RTX or the Christchurch Engine Centre whether immigration support or visa sponsorship is available for their particular circumstances.
Relocation assistance and visa sponsorship are separate matters, and receiving relocation support does not by itself guarantee eligibility for a New Zealand work visa.
About Christchurch Engine Centre
Christchurch Engine Centre is a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and Air New Zealand.
The organisation provides maintenance, repair and overhaul services for V2500 engine variants.
As part of the Christchurch team, employees have the opportunity to work alongside experienced aerospace professionals in a specialised engineering facility.
The organisation also emphasises training and professional development to help employees build long-term careers in the aerospace industry.
About RTX and Pratt & Whitney
RTX is a global aerospace and defence company with businesses involved in the development, manufacture and servicing of aircraft engines, aerospace systems and related technologies.
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, designs, manufactures and services aircraft engines and auxiliary power units for commercial, military and business aviation.
Working with the Christchurch Engine Centre therefore provides an opportunity to gain experience within an internationally recognised aerospace organisation.
How to Tailor Your CV for This Aircraft Tradesperson Job
Your CV should clearly demonstrate your trade qualification, hands-on technical experience and ability to work safely in a regulated environment.
Highlight Your Trade Qualification
Place your highest relevant trade qualification near the top of your CV.
For example:
Trade Qualifications
- NZQA Level 4 or equivalent – [Trade]
- [Additional relevant certification]
If your qualification was obtained outside New Zealand, state the qualification and country where it was obtained.
Emphasise Hands-On Experience
Your employment history should show at least three years of relevant practical experience.
Highlight experience involving:
- Mechanical assembly
- Disassembly
- Equipment maintenance
- Inspection
- Troubleshooting
- Technical documentation
- Machinery operation
- Preventive maintenance
- Quality control
- Safety procedures
Highlight Aerospace or Engine Experience
If you have previously worked with aircraft engines, aviation equipment or MRO operations, make this highly visible.
If your experience is from automotive, heavy diesel, electrical or another related trade, explain how your technical skills transfer to aerospace maintenance.
Mention Technical Documentation
The employer specifically values people who can understand technical instructions and manuals.
Mention experience with:
- Technical drawings
- Manufacturer manuals
- Work instructions
- Engineering specifications
- Maintenance procedures
- Quality documentation
Include Relevant Software
If you have experience using SAP or similar maintenance/enterprise systems, include it in your skills section.
Demonstrate Safety and Quality
Aerospace maintenance requires strict adherence to safety and quality standards.
Include examples demonstrating your:
- Safety awareness
- Attention to detail
- Quality control experience
- Compliance with procedures
- Incident prevention
- Workplace safety practices
International Qualification Requirements
Applicants whose trade qualifications were obtained outside New Zealand may be required to provide an NZQA equivalency assessment.
International applicants should therefore check whether their existing qualification requires assessment before or during the recruitment process.
Make sure your CV clearly lists:
- Qualification name
- Institution
- Country
- Completion date
- Relevant trade specialisation
- Any equivalency assessment already completed
How to Apply
Applicants should submit an up-to-date CV, cover letter and relevant Level 4 trade certification or equivalent qualifications.
If your qualifications were obtained outside New Zealand, you may need to provide an NZQA equivalency assessment.
Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further discussions and could be asked to complete an online psychometric assessment.
Applications are assessed as they are received, so interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Important Note for International Applicants
OpportunityShape shares job opportunities that may offer visa sponsorship or a potential pathway for international applicants to obtain work authorisation.
For this vacancy, the employer specifically advertises relocation assistance for eligible international applicants, but the original listing does not explicitly state that visa sponsorship is available.
International candidates should contact the employer or recruitment team to confirm whether they can support the appropriate New Zealand work visa for the position and whether the applicant’s trade qualification and experience meet the requirements.
Do not make travel, relocation or financial commitments until your employment and immigration arrangements have been confirmed.
