Aerospace and advanced manufacturing careers in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has been building aircraft and aircraft parts for over a century, and today aerospace and advanced manufacturing is one of the region’s most important sectors. For engineers and technical specialists, it offers skilled, well-paid and often long-term careers. Here’s an overview of what’s out there.
A sector with deep roots
Belfast’s aerospace heritage goes back to Short Brothers, and the city now has both of the world’s biggest aircraft makers on its doorstep: Airbus Belfast builds the wings for every Airbus A220, while Short Brothers, a Boeing Company, works on business jet programmes, aftermarket services, and space and defence. Around them sits a wide network of companies working in areas such as:
- Aerostructures and composites, including wings, fuselage sections and advanced composite components
- Aircraft interiors, including seating and cabin systems, with Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel a major employer
- Defence and missile systems, including Thales in Belfast
- Ejection seats and safety systems, with Martin-Baker at Langford Lodge
- Precision engineering and the supply chain, with many smaller firms machining, treating, inspecting and assembling parts for the global aerospace and defence industry
With a proposed Ryanair engine maintenance facility also being pursued for Northern Ireland, there’s a chance of significant new maintenance, repair and overhaul work in the years ahead too.
The roles in demand
Aerospace and advanced manufacturing employers recruit across a wide range of disciplines, including:
- Design, stress and manufacturing engineers
- Quality engineers and inspectors, including NDT technicians
- CNC programmers, machinists and fitters
- Composite technicians and laminators
- Production planners, supervisors and continuous improvement specialists
- Licensed aircraft engineers and avionics technicians
Moving in from another industry
You don’t always need aerospace experience to get in. Skills from automotive, medical devices, defence, oil and gas or general precision engineering transfer well, particularly in quality, machining, composites and continuous improvement. Employers look for attention to detail, comfort working to tight standards and procedures, and a good understanding of quality systems. Familiarity with standards such as AS9100 is a real advantage.
Find your next aerospace role
Aerospace has been one of Mydas Recruitment’s core sectors since 1993, and we work with aerospace and advanced manufacturing employers across Northern Ireland. Browse our current jobs or submit your CV to talk to us about where your experience could take you.