Riding Engineer (Line Maintenance International)

Etihad Airways is looking for a Riding Engineer to join its Line Maintenance International team in Abu Dhabi. This onsite, full-time role focuses on keeping aircraft airworthy and reliable as they operate across outstations and the home base, with the chance to work alongside a global team in support of the airline’s ambitious Journey 2030 plan. If you enjoy hands-on maintenance, coordinating with operations, and keeping safety and regulatory standards front and center, this could be a fit.

The Riding Engineer helps ensure regulatory compliance with UAE GCAA requirements and Etihad Technical standards, while keeping licenses and authorizations current and aligned with duty-hour rules. The position may be rostered to Abu Dhabi Line Maintenance or Etihad Engineering hangars to maintain authorization validity and meet the needs of the schedule.

Based at Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub, the role is built for someone who thrives in an international, fast-moving environment and wants a hands-on role that keeps you close to the aircraft and the maintenance data that keeps them flying.

Keeping the wheels turning on the line

On a typical day, you’ll perform riding engineer duties in strict alignment with approved maintenance documents, company policies, and regulatory requirements. You’ll ensure the work complies with UAE GCAA rules and Etihad Technical standards, and you’ll actively keep your licenses, approvals, and authorizations up to date, flagging renewal needs at least six months before expiry.

Operationally, you’ll deliver high-quality line maintenance activities so aircraft release on schedule and in line with the approved operating plan. When defects surface during line operations, you’ll apply sound technical judgment to resolve them effectively, supporting a smooth flow from pre-flight through to service release.

You’ll also help maintain the carrier’s brand by keeping aircraft exterior and cabin interiors aligned with Etihad’s high standards. The role encourages the use of modern tools and digital systems to boost efficiency, safety, and reliability, and you’ll review industry occurrences and best practices to drive improvements across Line Maintenance International operations. Throughout, you’ll contribute to Etihad’s safety culture through professional conduct and ongoing learning, while supporting the OGSM framework as the core driver of performance, safety and reliability across maintenance activities.

Must-have requirements, with a place for nice-to-haves

To be in the running, here’s what you’ll likely need to bring:

• High school certificate or equivalent
• A valid Aircraft Maintenance License recognized by UAE GCAA (or an EASA Part-66 or ICAO Type that can be converted to GCAA)
• A total of at least five years in aircraft maintenance, including a minimum of three years in a Line Maintenance environment
• Two to three years of certifying experience on at least two Etihad type ratings at Level 3, including Airbus 320/350/380 or Boeing 777/787, with current company authorization
• Strong technical knowledge of line maintenance and defect rectification
• Clear communication and effective coordination with operational stakeholders
• High attention to detail and strong regulatory awareness
• Proactive, adaptable, and capable of working independently in an international operational environment

Nice-to-haves: a technical or engineering diploma or degree is preferred.

Pay, benefits and the practical side of the role

The Riding Engineer role is full-time and onsite in Abu Dhabi. The position may require rostered assignments to outstations as well as Abu Dhabi Line Maintenance or Etihad Engineering hangars, to keep authorization validity intact and to meet duty hour requirements.

Beyond the specifics listed above, no salary figures or benefits are disclosed here. The emphasis is on using industry standards and the airline’s own procedures to maintain safety, compliance, and service reliability across a global network.

Three or four concrete tips to help you apply

Start your resume with the must-have credentials that matter most here: lead with your high school certificate or equivalent, followed by your valid maintenance license recognized by the UAE GCAA, and a clear record of five years in maintenance with at least three years in line maintenance. Be explicit about two to three years of certifying experience on two Etihad type ratings at Level 3, naming the specific aircraft families if you can.

Show how you prove the must-have skills: give concrete examples of diagnosing and rectifying defects on the line, keeping regulatory compliance front and center, and communicating with operations to keep turnarounds on track. Highlight instances where you kept licenses and authorizations current and met duty-hour requirements.

Prepare for interviews by thinking through how you’ve supported safety culture and continuous learning in a multinational setting. Be ready to discuss how you’ve used modern tools and digital systems to improve efficiency, reliability, and safety on the line, and how you’ve reviewed external best practices to drive improvements.

Ask a smart question that ties to the job specifics, such as how OGSM is implemented day to day in Line Maintenance International, or what digital platforms and data the team relies on to track maintenance activity and certification status.