Aerospace Jobs in Portugal
Portugal has an aircraft manufacturing plant at Evora and a long-established maintenance business at OGMA near Lisbon. Both hire abroad, and Portuguese speakers from Brazil and Africa have a natural advantage.
EU Helpers connects aerospace staff with employers in Portugal. We check your licence, degree and project record. Then we match you to open roles. We also help with the paperwork and the move. Browse our wider aerospace hiring landscape across Europe to see how Portugal fits in.
Quick facts:
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Portugal has an aircraft manufacturing plant at Evora.
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OGMA near Lisbon is a long-established MRO business.
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Portuguese speakers from Brazil and Africa have an advantage.
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Portuguese helps for most roles.
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English is the working language of European maintenance manuals.
Why Portugal's Aerospace Sector Is Hiring
Manufacturing at Evora produces aircraft structures and components, drawing on composite and assembly skills.
OGMA handles engine and aircraft maintenance, with decades of experience.
Costs are lower than in Northern Europe, which has attracted work here over the years.
Two Ways In
| Who it suits | Part-66 licence holders | Production and engineering staff |
|---|---|---|
| Licence or degree | EASA Part-66 B1 or B2 | Degree, or none for production |
| Language needed | Portuguese | Portuguese |
| Pay | Below Northern Europe with lower costs | Below Northern Europe with lower costs |
| Who employs you | OGMA and MRO firms | Evora plant and suppliers |
| Where the work is | Lisbon and Alverca | Evora and the Lisbon region |
| Route upward | Toward certifying staff | Toward lead engineer |
| Best suited to | People with a licence | People with a degree or trade skill |
Portuguese speakers from Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique are readily hired here.
What Does an Aerospace Job in Portugal Involve?
Aerospace work splits into four areas. Here is how each one looks.
Licensed maintenance. Licensed technicians in Portugal sign off aircraft work. This needs an EASA Part-66 licence in the right category, and it is the hardest thing for a foreign candidate to arrange.
Making parts and aircraft. Production work in Portugal covers assembly, composites, machining and finishing. No licence is needed, and it is the most accessible route in.
Design and engineering. Design and systems work in Portugal needs a degree and tool skills rather than a licence.
Ground and airport work. Ground and ramp work at Portuguese airports needs no aerospace training, and employers train you on arrival.
Aerospace Roles in Demand in Portugal
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Aircraft maintenance technician: Part-66 licensed work at OGMA and other Portuguese sites.
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Engine technician: Engine overhaul work, an OGMA speciality.
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Composite and assembly technician: Structures work at the Evora plant.
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Ground support operative: Airport handling work, no aerospace licence needed.
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Quality and airworthiness inspector: Check work and records against EASA rules at sites in Portugal.
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Ground support operative: Aircraft handling and ramp work at airports in Portugal. No licence needed to start.
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Production operative: Assembly and finishing work in Portugal workshops and plants.
Engine overhaul is a real Portuguese speciality with decades of built-up record behind it.
How Much You Can Earn
Portuguese aerospace pay is below Northern Europe, though living costs are lower. Aerospace roles pay above the domestic average.
Things Worth Knowing Before You Apply
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Portuguese speakers from Brazil and Africa have an edge.
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Engine overhaul is a genuine speciality here.
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Living costs are lower than in Northern Europe.
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Portuguese at B1 helps for most roles.
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Licence conversion takes months, so start it as early as you can.
Skills and Experience You Need
These points apply to Portuguese nationals and foreign applicants alike. Employers care about what you can do.
Starting (Ground Support, Production Operative)
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No licence needed for ground support or production work
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Good English, because maintenance manuals are written in it
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You follow written procedures exactly, because this is safety-critical work.
Licensed or Skilled (Part-66 Technician, Engineer)
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An EASA Part-66 licence, or a national licence you can convert.
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A degree in aerospace, mechanical or electronic engineering for design roles
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Tool skills that match the job, such as CATIA for design or AMOS for maintenance
Senior (Lead Engineer, Shift Supervisor)
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Seven or more years, including charge of a team or a work package
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You have worked inside an approved Part-145 or Part-21 organisation.
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You can produce and sign the records the regulator expects
Portuguese helps for most roles and shop floor work. International firms and engineering teams use more English.
Maintenance certifying work needs an EASA Part-66 licence. Design roles need an accredited degree. Production work needs neither.
Papers You Need
If You're a Portuguese National
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National ID card or passport
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Your EASA Part-66 licence, if you hold one
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Degree certificate and transcripts
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A list of aircraft types you have worked on
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Training and tool certificates
If You're a Foreign Candidate
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A valid passport
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A signed job offer from a Portugal-based aerospace employer
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Your licence, plus proof of any conversion in progress
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Degree certificate and transcripts, translated if asked.
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A record of the aircraft types and hours you have worked
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Criminal record certificate, which some roles check closely
EU Helpers is not a government body. We do not issue work permits, residence permits, or licences. We help you get your papers ready. Non-EU candidates usually apply through the EU Blue Card or a national work permit. Certifying maintenance also needs a valid EASA Part-66 licence, which is separate from the permit. The authority always makes the final call.
How EU Helpers Helps You
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We know Portuguese speakers from Brazil and Africa are hired readily here.
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We check whether your licence or degree needs converting, because that is where applications stall.
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We connect you with employers who support the Part-66 conversion route.
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We help you get your papers ready for hiring and moving.
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After you start, we check in to see how things are going.
Why Choose EU Helpers in Portugal
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We understand engine overhaul is a real Portuguese speciality.
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We check every candidate well before we send them to an employer.
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Our network reaches Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. That gives employers a wider pool than local hiring.
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If Portugal isn't the right fit for what you want, we'll tell you and look at other markets with you.
Get Started
Job Seekers
Sign up and tell us your licence category, degree and what you have worked on. Register as a job seeker to start.
Aerospace Employers and MRO Firms
Get access to checked technicians and engineers for your Portugal sites. We handle the paperwork and the move. Start an employer partnership to tell us what you need.
Recruiters
Work with EU Helpers to place aerospace staff into Portuguese maintenance, engine and manufacturing roles. Apply to join our recruiter network to get started.
Close to this field: see civil engineering jobs in Portugal and data science jobs in Portugal, which share technical and systems skills. Looking at something else? See renewable energy jobs in Portugal, construction jobs in Portugal, finance jobs in Portugal, architecture jobs in Portugal, urban planning jobs in Portugal, real estate jobs in Portugal, legal services jobs in Portugal, green economy jobs in Portugal, education jobs in Portugal, hospitality jobs in Portugal, agriculture jobs in Portugal, elderly care jobs in Portugal and customer service jobs in Portugal, or see every sector on our industries hub. Thinking about the move? Read our Portugal relocation guide, or browse open aerospace roles across Europe; for anything else, contact our team.