Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
As the E&M Talent Acquisition Lead at Riyadh Air, I specialize in engineering recruitment across civil and defense aviation. I’m proud to be part of the team shaping the Kingdom’s new national airline; a bold vision reimagining what modern aviation can be. My focus is simple: connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities. Every role we fill in Engineering & Maintenance brings us one step closer to elevating tomorrow’s travel. It’s a privilege to help build something this transformative; and to do it alongside passionate, world-class professionals.
I oversee the recruitment of licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) with GACA (or EASA part-66 /CAA/GCAA/FAA equivalents) in Categories A, B1, B2, and C. I ensure all hires meet both internal standards and regulatory requirements. Additionally, I handle recruitment for roles such as Maintenance Planners, Technical Records Officers, and Continuing Airworthiness Engineers. I manage the hiring of specialized technical roles, including: - Base and Line Maintenance Engineers - Certifying Staff (B1/B2) - Structures, Cabin, and Avionics Technicians - Quality Assurance and Quality Control Inspectors - Maintenance Managers and Postholders - Technical Instructors I ensure that all technical personnel have valid licenses and required recurrent training. With over 10 years of experience in licensing, technical recruitment and a solid understanding of GCAA/EASA/FAA regulations, I’ve had the opportunity to support recruitment efforts within MROs and airlines, always striving to contribute positively to the team.
I lead efforts to attract, assess, and onboard top-tier engineering and operations talent aligned with our strategic goals. I focus on evolving our hiring strategies and processes to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive talent landscape. I manage end-to-end recruitment for critical roles across our AW139 and H145 helicopter programs, including Part 66/Part 147 B1.2, B1.3, and B2 engineers, certifying staff, Quality Inspectors, Airworthiness Engineers, and CAMO professionals. I also spearhead the integration of psychometric assessments into our recruitment process, strengthening our ability to identify and support high-performing talent from day one.
Led recruitment efforts for various business units (Quality, Logistics, Supply Chain, Facility Maintenance, Ground Ops, Finance, IT, HR), including the recruitment for Project Midfield Terminal at the Zayed International Airport (AUH). Collaborated with senior management to understand workforce needs and deliver tailored recruitment solutions. Utilized data-driven insights to improve recruitment processes and strategies.
- Technical Recruitment: Managed the recruitment of technical and corporate recruitment for the EASC division. - Developed and executed recruitment plans for the recruitment and mobilisation of 1,500+ hires in a year. - Recruitment Metrics: Tracked and reported on recruitment KPIs, such as time-to-fill, time-to-offer and to assess and improve the effectiveness of recruitment strategies. - Developed and maintained talent pipelines for critical roles both locally and overseas. Proactively identifying candidates for forecasted manpower needs while actively promoting diversity and inclusion. - Leveraged HR technology and Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to streamline recruitment processes, manage candidate data, and generate insights using SAP reporting tool, PowerBI and Excel.
- Collaborated with the Mohammed Bin Rashed Space Centre and NASA for the screening for the First Emirati Astronauts as part of the UAE Astronaut Programme - Screened and processed the GCAA medical license applications of over 2400 pilots, 2000 cabin crew and 100 ATC across 5 different companies: Etihad, GCAA, Abu Dhabi Aviation, and others in accordance with GCAA CAR 145 and EASA requirements. - In charge of data analysis and producing monthly dashboard for GCAA and other Aviation-related activities - Core member of the Quality Improvement Committee - Document Controller in charge of circulating, controlling, and creating policies and procedures in the Aviation department. - Assisted in organising the 4th and 5th Aviation Health Conferences hosted by Etihad Airways and supervised on-site registrations and CME certifications. - Facilitated MEDA revenue increase by 20% in 2018 (highest revenue attained in MEDA business unit's history). - Collaborated with Legal Department and Business Analysts in designing GDPR compliant processes and MEDIF forms. - Collaborated with IT Corporate Security, Etihad Engineering team, OMPC, Line Material Planner and Supply teams for MEDA Process Automation Phase I Project. - On-call MEDA administrator. - Involved in projects for MEDA Business Unit, such as development of FREMEC loyalty programmes in collaboration with COMARCH and MEDA systems migration in collaboration with IBM. - Active core member of the Quality Improvement Committee working towards JCI accreditation.
Skilled and trained in issuing and processing GCAA certificates for cabin crew and pilots, ensuring compliance with GCAA regulations. Proficient in handling and tracking pre-employment procedures to streamline onboarding and maintain high standards in the aviation industry. Strong knowledge of GCAA & EASA requirements. Additionally, adept in HR generalist roles, including managing employee records, appointment scheduling, document controlling, coordinating recruitment processes, and supporting overall HR functions to foster a productive and compliant workforce.