Paul Hughes
Weymouth,United Kingdom
Summary
Experienced and highly regarded Senior Aviation Engineer with an exceptional track record in leading technical teams within complex environments. With extensive expertise in certification and management of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) and Land Systems appointed Engineering Authority within Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). Possessing a breadth and depth of experience of leading large complex teams technical management and strategic direction have contributed to numerous high-impact defence projects. Career to date demonstrates a blend of technical proficiency, operational leadership and a deep understanding of defence procurement and capabilities.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Engineering Authority
Defence Equipment and Support
Bristol
09.2023 - Current
- Senior Engineer responsible for all aspects of acquisition safety across Land portfolio.
- Inaugural Head of Land Certification personally responsible for implementing the process, creating the team and issuing Type Certificates,
- Strategic leadership of implementing best practice across the Land portfolio.
Remotely Piloted Air Systems Deputy Team Leader and Type Airworthiness Authority
Defence Equipment and Support
Bristol, UK
01.2022 - 08.2023
- Member of Senior Management Committee and deputy Team Leader
- Project Managed UK/USA Protector Certification Programme achieving global first for MALE RPAS.
- Chair of Airworthiness International Working Group leading to routine liaison with Be/US/Aus/Can stakeholders.
- Letter of Airworthiness Authority (LoAA) Holder with MAA LoE for all Defence RPAS
- Senior Army Officer across Air Operating Centre
- Quality Assurance of all Engineering outputs within Unmanned Air Systems Team
SO1 Eng Airworthiness Authority
Defence Equipment and Support
04.2017 - 03.2018
- Letter of Aiworthiness Authority Holder and deputy AH D Model TAA
- Lead for all aspects of continued airworthiness of the UK AH fleet, including mechanical, avionic, software and weapons; including Quality Assurance of Delivery Team outputs
- Chair of Safety and Logistic US MoU with link to future ‘E’ model
- Lead for DEFSTAN 970 compliance for modifications
Commanding Officer
106 Battalion REME
Scotland
03.2015 - 03.2017
- Inaugural CO project managed building Battalion from scratch
- Quality System Manager (QSM) responsible for assurance of all Engineering outputs.
- Land Duty Holder for all Battalion activity
- Commanded circa 400 personnel (regular, reserve & civil servant)
- Personally responsible for infrastructure and equipment to the value of circa £10 Million
Continuing Airworthiness Manager/Chief Air Engineer
Army Unmanned Air Systems within HQ 1 Arty Bde
Upavon
10.2013 - 02.2015
- Responsible for continuing airworthiness for all Army unmanned air systems; holding MAP Level K for 4 separate platforms
- Responsible for Quality Assurance of Mil Pt 145 organisation
- Chief Air Engineer and engineering advisor to UAS Delivery Duty Holder
- Deployed to Op HERRICK overseeing initial Watchkeeper deployment
- Key advisor to the MAA during UAS RA development
SO2 Mech EA
Army Apache PT
Yeovil, Somerset
05.2013 - 09.2013
- LoAA Holder responsible for mech aspects of AH continued airworthiness
- Leader of a mixed team of military and civilian engineering SMEs
Engineering Member XX177 Service Inquiry Panel
Military Aviation Authority
11.2011 - 04.2013
- Engineering SME on 3-man Service Inquiry Panel
- Lead investigator in to engineering activity on RAFAT; identifying a number of areas of immediate airworthiness concern to DG MAA through leading quality assurance audits
- Intimate MAA engagement on extant and emergent engineering policy
- Project lead for production of SI findings and evidence collation
Officer Commanding
4 Regiment Army Air Corp Workshop
Wattisham, Northern Ireland
06.2010 - 06.2012
- Engineering commander of 150 personnel supporting Apache operations across NI and on OP HERRICK (Afghan) and OP ELLAMY (Libya)
- Quality System Manager (QSM) responsible for all engineering outputs both in base and whilst deployed
- First Chief Air Engineer for UK Apache Fleet
SO2 Per & Infra
Army General Staff
Ministry of Defence, London
06.2008 - 05.2010
- Working direct to Chief of General Staff routine briefing of ministers on all aspects of personnel and infrastructure.
SO2 Chief of Staff – DTR
HQ DCAE
06.2006 - 05.2008
- Lead for technical evaluation of options to relocate aviation technical training to Cosford or St Athan as part of Defence Training Review
Student ICSC(L)
Defence Academy
08.2005 - 07.2006
SO2 Aero Trg
HQ DEME (A)
08.2004 - 07.2005
- Project managed AH Maintainer Training through Westlands and ATIL
Adjutant
Welbeck College
08.2002 - 07.2004
Officer Commanding
07.2000 - 07.2002
- Engineering commander for 21 Gazelle operating in Northern Ireland
- DE&S special fit engagement; including security compartment access
Watchkeeper
HQ NI
09.1999 - 06.2000
Second in Command
07.1997 - 08.1999
- Senior avn engr commanding sub-unit on Op PALATINE (Bosnia) supporting Gaz/Lx
- Lead for investigating a fatal technical failure on deployed Lx aircraft
Student
08.1991 - 06.1997
Education
Masters Degree - Business Administration
Open University
Milton Keynes 08.2007 - 12.2011
Level 7 Executive Diploma - Management
Chartered Management Institute
Honours Degree - Aeromech Systems Engineering
Cranfield University
09.1993 - 07.1996
Chartered Engineer - undefined
Royal Aeronautical Society
MBA - Business Administration
Open University
08.2007 - 12.2011
Modular Masters Degree - Defence Airworthiness
Cranfield University
Cranfield 09.2019 -
Project Management Qualification (PMQ) - Project Management
Association of Project Managers
04.2022 - 06.2022
Skills
- Strategic project management of large pan functional teams within complex environments
- Delivery of Certification for manned and unmanned platforms within Aviation and Land Regulated Environments
- Articulation and personal accountability for technical and operating Risk
- Stakeholder management through highly effective communication
Accomplishments
- Led Protector Certification, 04/01/18
- First Apache Chief Air Engineer (CAE), 10/01/17
Custom
- 12/01/21, Project Management Qualification (PMQ)
- 12/01/20, Duty Holder Airworthiness Safety Course (DHASC)
- 12/01/20, LGBTQ++ Senior Leader Workshop
- 12/01/19 - 12/01/24, Modular Masters Degree in Defence Airworthiness (MSc)
- 12/01/19, SERA (European Armament Acquisition Course)
- 12/01/17, Airworthiness of Military Aircraft (AMAC)
- 12/01/17, Functional Development Officer (FDO) training
- 12/01/17, System Safety Practitioner (Online with Residential Jan 18) (SSP)
- 12/01/16, System Safety In Action (Online and Residential)
- 12/01/07, PRINCE 2 Practitioner
- 12/01/05, Quality Assurance Practitioner
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Head of Engineering Authority
Defence Equipment and Support
09.2023 - Current
Project Management Qualification (PMQ) - Project Management
Association of Project Managers
04.2022 - 06.2022
Remotely Piloted Air Systems Deputy Team Leader and Type Airworthiness Authority
Defence Equipment and Support
01.2022 - 08.2023
Modular Masters Degree - Defence Airworthiness
Cranfield University
09.2019 -
SO1 Eng Airworthiness Authority
Defence Equipment and Support
04.2017 - 03.2018
Commanding Officer
106 Battalion REME
03.2015 - 03.2017
Continuing Airworthiness Manager/Chief Air Engineer
Army Unmanned Air Systems within HQ 1 Arty Bde
10.2013 - 02.2015
SO2 Mech EA
Army Apache PT
05.2013 - 09.2013
Engineering Member XX177 Service Inquiry Panel
Military Aviation Authority
11.2011 - 04.2013
Officer Commanding
4 Regiment Army Air Corp Workshop
06.2010 - 06.2012
SO2 Per & Infra
Army General Staff
06.2008 - 05.2010
Masters Degree - Business Administration
Open University
08.2007 - 12.2011
MBA - Business Administration
Open University
08.2007 - 12.2011
SO2 Chief of Staff – DTR
HQ DCAE
06.2006 - 05.2008
Student ICSC(L)
Defence Academy
08.2005 - 07.2006
SO2 Aero Trg
HQ DEME (A)
08.2004 - 07.2005
Adjutant
Welbeck College
08.2002 - 07.2004
Officer Commanding
07.2000 - 07.2002
Watchkeeper
HQ NI
09.1999 - 06.2000
Second in Command
07.1997 - 08.1999
Honours Degree - Aeromech Systems Engineering
Cranfield University
09.1993 - 07.1996
Student
08.1991 - 06.1997
Level 7 Executive Diploma - Management
Chartered Management Institute
Chartered Engineer - undefined
Royal Aeronautical Society
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