Date posted
Aviation Recruitment for High-Performance Businesses
Supporting airlines, OEMs, suppliers, and MROs with specialist hiring across engineering, connectivity, and leadership.
find THE RIGHT talent
Aviation Executive Search
Spencer Riley supports aviation and aerospace businesses with specialist recruitment across inflight connectivity, cabin interiors, engineering, and executive leadership.
We work with airlines, OEMs, suppliers, MROs, and aviation technology businesses delivering complex programmes across highly regulated environments.
From technical specialists and programme leaders to senior commercial hires, we secure talent that keeps projects moving, supports compliance, and drives long-term growth.
Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFE/IFEC)
We recruit for businesses building the next generation of inflight entertainment and connectivity technology across airlines, OEMs, suppliers, and aviation technology providers.
From satellite communications and hardware integration to digital platforms and content delivery, we secure professionals who can design, deliver, and scale connected onboard systems.
We recruit across:
- Certification Engineers
- Systems Engineers
- Programme Managers
- Connectivity Specialists
- Commercial Leaders
- Executive Leadership
Cabin Interiors and Aircraft Seating
We partner with manufacturers, suppliers, and airlines across the full cabin interiors lifecycle, from concept design and certification through to production, retrofit, and installation.
Our network spans aircraft seating, monuments, materials, and cabin systems, supporting businesses delivering compliant cabin environments that improve passenger comfort and airline differentiation.
We recruit across:
- Mechanical Design Engineering
- Certification and Airworthiness
- Programme Delivery
- Operations and Manufacturing
- Commercial Leadership
- Business Development
Leadership and Specialist Search
We support aviation and aerospace businesses with executive and specialist hiring across technical and commercial functions.
We recruit across:
- C-suite and Executive Leadership
- VP Sales and Commercial Leadership
- Programme and Project Leadership
- Certification and Airworthiness Specialists
- Mechanical and Design Engineering
- Commercial and Business Development Professionals
Our search approach combines detailed market mapping and targeted headhunting to access high-calibre passive talent across the aviation and aerospace market.
We secure people with the technical expertise, leadership capability, and sector credibility to deliver long-term value.
Case studies
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Our Approach
We take the time to listen to you and understand your business, the key drivers behind the hire and the importance in relation to your objectives
We will devote time to understand your business goals and role requirements and then develop a search solution that meets your specific needs
We will demonstrate unwavering tenacity, speaking pro-actively and confidentially with every individual with the right experience, in order to be certain we have secured the best person open to your opportunity
Aviation
Scott Ellam
Managing Director
Founder and Managing Director of Spencer Riley, Scott leads international executive search and board-level hiring, while supporting long-term growth through the wider XCE group.
Adam Garvey
Divisional Director
Adam specialises in permanent placements, with many years of experience hiring at all levels across the construction, engineering, and nutrition sectors.
Choose a service
Our Services
Choose and adapt one of our three package options.
Connect
Exclusively Tailored Talent Solutions for Lower Level, Non-Critical Roles
This package is designed for exclusive but non-critical hires. Offering access to a curated pool of exclusive talent connections in response to a range of roles from broad to specialist and niche. Features include personalised candidate sourcing, initial screening, and candidate introductions.
Ideal for companies seeking unique talent solutions without immediate urgency.
Ideal for companies seeking unique talent solutions without immediate urgency.
ASSURE
Retained Hiring Strategy for Urgent, High-Impact or Confidential Roles
This package is tailored for organisations requiring a dedicated and comprehensive approach to executive and critical hires. A retained search solution with a focus on quality, efficiency, and confidentiality. Includes in-depth candidate assessments and exclusive access to top-tier talent.
Ideal for companies seeking assurance in securing top talent for mission-critical roles.
Ideal for companies seeking assurance in securing top talent for mission-critical roles.
PARTNER
Comprehensive Embedded Solution for Rapid Growth and Retention
This is a total talent partnership, an approach aimed at transforming your talent acquisition process. This comprehensive solution encompasses all aspects of recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) to ensure an embedded solution with strategic results.
Ideal for organisations looking to outsource their entire recruitment function for scalability and efficiency.
Ideal for organisations looking to outsource their entire recruitment function for scalability and efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes aviation recruitment different from other engineering sectors?
Aviation hiring demands a combination of technical expertise, regulatory understanding, programme experience, and sector-specific credibility.
Many roles require experience working within highly regulated environments where certification, airworthiness, compliance, operational delivery, and passenger safety directly affect programme success. That makes specialist market knowledge and targeted search capability critical to securing the right hire.
Do you work on confidential or hard-to-fill aviation roles?
Yes. Many of the searches we support involve confidential leadership hires, specialist technical positions, or difficult-to-source talent within niche areas of the aviation market.
Our search approach combines market mapping, targeted headhunting, and direct engagement with passive talent to identify professionals who are rarely accessible through traditional recruitment channels.
Can Spencer Riley support international aviation hiring?
Yes. We work with aviation and aerospace businesses across international markets, supporting hiring projects spanning Europe, the Middle East, North America, and APAC.
Our network includes technical, commercial, and executive talent across airlines, OEMs, suppliers, MROs, and aviation technology businesses operating globally.
Have another question?
Please contact us we'd be happy to help.
Open Positions
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