Operations Coordinator – SAAT

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Operations Coordinator Job Opportunity at South African Airways Technical (SAAT) – Kempton Park, Gauteng

Looking for a rewarding aviation maintenance career in South Africa? South African Airways Technical (SAAT) is currently recruiting a qualified and experienced Operations Coordinator to join its Maintenance Control Centre (MCC) team in Kempton Park, Gauteng. This permanent position offers an excellent opportunity for aviation professionals with strong aircraft maintenance and operational coordination experience.

Operations Coordinator Vacancy Overview

Job Information Details Position Operations Coordinator Reference Number SAA260611-1 Company Division Operations Business Unit MCC (Maintenance Control Centre) Job Type Permanent Job Grade 4T7 Location Province Country Reporting To Manager: MCC and Production Control Number of Positions 1 Closing Date 19 June 2026

About South African Airways Technical (SAAT)

South African Airways Technical (SAAT) is one of Africa’s leading aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organizations. The company provides world-class aviation engineering services, ensuring aircraft safety, reliability, and operational excellence for airlines and aviation customers across the region.

The Operations Coordinator plays a critical role in ensuring aircraft maintenance activities are effectively coordinated, minimizing operational disruptions while supporting flight schedules and customer requirements.

Job Purpose

The Operations Coordinator is responsible for managing and coordinating activities within the Maintenance Control Centre (MCC). The role involves maintaining effective communication with maintenance teams, flight crews, line stations, and operational stakeholders to ensure aircraft availability, serviceability, and compliance with maintenance requirements.

The successful candidate will coordinate maintenance activities, monitor aircraft operational status, facilitate technical support for aircraft away from base, and assist with after-hours operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Aircraft Operations Coordination

The successful candidate will:

  • Coordinate aircraft maintenance activities to minimize operational disruptions.
  • Ensure critical spare parts are supplied to outstations when required.
  • Support operational aircraft located away from the main maintenance base.
  • Monitor and coordinate maintenance dispensation requests.
  • Adjust maintenance and operational schedules based on aircraft changes.
  • Track aircraft serviceability status and communicate with Production Control and Team Leaders.
  • Schedule flights and maintenance activities for third-party customers.

2. Maintenance Process Management

Responsibilities include:

  • Monitoring and coordinating Pegasys activities after hours.
  • Managing requests involving:
    • Travelling technicians
    • Flight spares
    • Oxygen requirements
    • Ambulance requests
    • Stretcher requests
  • Coordinating technician sign-on activities and addressing delays or no-shows.
  • Providing maintenance history data for troubleshooting and analysis.
  • Coordinating aircraft movements required for hangar maintenance.

3. Technical Defect Control and Stakeholder Liaison

The Operations Coordinator will:

  • Assist with aircraft defect troubleshooting.
  • Support communication between maintenance teams and flight crews during test flights.
  • Coordinate technical delays and Aircraft on Ground (AOG) situations.
  • Arrange working parties for maintenance activities away from OR Tambo International Airport.
  • Assist with technical delay, incident, and accident reporting.
  • Respond to operational communications, including telexes and technical notifications.
  • Supply aircraft, engine, and Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) cycle and hour information when required.

4. Documentation and Records Management

Key duties include:

  • Maintaining accurate operational records and documentation.
  • Updating aircraft picking lists and maintenance records.
  • Issuing interim stamps outside normal business hours.
  • Ensuring all operational documents remain current and compliant.

5. After-Hours Operational Support

The role also requires:

  • Assisting with aircraft emergency declarations and coordination.
  • Monitoring security and surveillance systems.
  • Reporting operational progress and challenges to the Duty Engineer.
  • Supporting continuous airline operations during after-hours periods.

Minimum Requirements

Educational Requirements

Applicants must have:

  • Grade 12 (Matric) or equivalent qualification (NQF Level 4).
  • Completed an Aviation Apprenticeship.
  • Successfully passed a Trade Test in either:
    • Mechanical Trade, or
    • Avionic Trade.
  • Shop Certification (Type II).

Experience Requirements

Candidates should possess:

  • At least 5 years of aviation maintenance experience (excluding apprenticeship training).
  • Experience within an aircraft maintenance environment.
  • Line Maintenance experience will be advantageous.
  • Strong understanding of aviation operational procedures and maintenance coordination.

Technical Skills

Applicants should be proficient in:

  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • MEMIS Systems
  • Aircraft maintenance documentation systems
  • Operational scheduling and coordination processes

Essential Competencies and Skills

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

  • Strong analytical thinking abilities
  • Excellent problem-solving skills
  • Information gathering and decision-making capabilities
  • Initiative and proactive planning
  • Customer service excellence
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Organisational awareness
  • Integrity and professionalism
  • Effective communication skills
  • Stakeholder management capabilities
  • Ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced aviation environment

Why Join SAAT?

Working for South African Airways Technical offers employees the opportunity to:

  • Build a long-term career in aviation maintenance.
  • Work with highly skilled aviation professionals.
  • Gain exposure to complex aircraft operations and maintenance coordination.
  • Contribute to the safety and reliability of airline operations.
  • Be part of one of Africa’s leading aircraft maintenance organizations.

How to Apply

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit their applications before the closing date of 19 June 2026. Late applications may not be considered.

Apply Here