FROM specialist engineers to firefighters, London Stansted is shining a spotlight on five unexpected career paths as it gears up for its latest jobs fair, showcasing the diverse roles available at one of the UK’s busiest airports.

The recruitment event, taking place on April 30 at the airport’s Radisson Blu Hotel will bring together more than 30 companies based at the airport, all looking to fill hundreds of positions across security, customer service, hospitality, logistics, and more.

But while many people think of roles like check-in agents, security officers or cabin crew when they picture airport jobs, here are some of the more unexpected careers that help keep the airport running smoothly 24/7:

Airside Operations Officer – These are the people who keep the airfield safe and running efficiently, checking runway surfaces, coordinating with air traffic control, and inspecting lighting and signage. It’s a role with a lot of responsibility and offers a front-row seat to the action.

Airport Firefighter – Not your average fire service, the airport’s specialist fire and rescue team responds to aircraft emergencies, carries out safety checks, and support major incident training exercises. It’s a unique career for those who want to combine firefighting with an aviation environment.

Security Trainer – Behind every well-prepared security officer is a team of expert trainers. These roles involve designing and delivering specialist training programmes to ensure staff are fully equipped to keep passengers safe and meet rigorous standards.

Terminal Duty Manager – Think of them as the airport’s troubleshooters – overseeing the daily flow of operations and acting as the go-to person for any issues that arise across the terminal.
Engineering Technician (Baggage System) – Airports run on efficiency and it’s up to these technicians to keep the miles of conveyor belts, scanners, and baggage handling systems operating smoothly.

Marcella M’Rabety, MAG’s Head of Social Sustainability, said:
“People are often surprised when they discover the sheer range of roles available at the airport. From specialist operations to hospitality and everything in between, there’s something for almost every skill set and interest. Our jobs fair is all about showing the breadth of opportunity available and helping local people find rewarding careers right here on their doorstep. The event is open to anyone looking to kickstart their career, make a change, or return to work. Attendees can meet recruiters, ask questions, and apply for live vacancies on the day. Careers support and advice will also be available from the airport’s Employment and Skills Academy.”

Opportunities on offer at the jobs fair include positions with MAG Stansted, Ryanair, Titan Airways, Border Force, Jet2.com, World Duty Free, Swissport, DHL and NATS.

One of the many benefits of working at the airport and making job opportunities even more attractive, is the wide range of public transport discounts available to staff. The Airport Travel Card offers an attractive option for staff to use public transport, offering significant savings on standard rail, bus and coach fares.

London Stansted is the largest single-site employer in the East of England, with more than 12,000 employees, and plays a vital role in supporting young people through its comprehensive education and training programmes. As the airport moves forward with its ambitious development and growth plans, it is expected to generate even more employment and career opportunities in the future.