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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aircraft Electrician

💰 $50,000 - $95,000

AviationMaintenanceElectricalAvionics

🎯 Role Definition

An Aircraft Electrician (also known as an Aircraft Electrical Technician or Avionics Electrician) is responsible for the maintenance, installation, inspection and troubleshooting of aircraft electrical and avionics systems. This role requires hands-on skill with wiring harnesses, connectors, circuit breakers, testing equipment and system-level diagnostics, combined with meticulous documentation to ensure regulatory compliance and airworthiness. The Aircraft Electrician works closely with maintenance teams, engineers and flight crews to keep aircraft electrical systems safe, reliable and mission-ready.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Avionics Apprentice / Electrical Apprentice
  • Aircraft Maintenance Technician (entry-level)
  • Military avionics or aircraft electrician technician

Advancement To:

  • Lead Aircraft Electrician / Senior Avionics Technician
  • Avionics Maintenance Supervisor
  • Maintenance Control/Planning Specialist
  • Certification Inspector (FAA DER/DOA roles)

Lateral Moves:

  • Avionics Systems Engineer
  • Electrical Systems Design Technician
  • Ground Support Equipment Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform systematic troubleshooting, fault isolation and repair of aircraft electrical power systems (AC/DC), including generators, alternators, starters, inverters and power distribution panels, ensuring repairs meet manufacturer specifications and aviation safety standards.
  • Inspect, test and maintain avionics equipment and instruments such as radios, transponders, flight recorders, EFIS, GPS, INS/IRS units and cockpit displays using calibrated test equipment and manufacturer troubleshooting guides.
  • Install, route and secure complex wiring harnesses, connectors and circuit protection devices in accordance with aircraft wiring diagrams, wiring practice manuals and manufacturer-approved methods to maintain signal integrity and prevent chafing or corrosion.
  • Read, interpret and apply aircraft wiring diagrams, electrical schematics, maintenance manuals (MRM/AMM), illustrated parts catalogs (IPC) and wiring practice standards to perform accurate repairs and modifications.
  • Perform continuity, resistance, insulation resistance and voltage drop tests on wiring and harnesses; use multimeters, oscilloscopes, cable testers and specialized avionics test sets to validate repairs and document results.
  • Repair and replace electrical components including relays, solenoids, circuit breakers, switches, connectors, bus bars and terminal strips while maintaining traceability and part life-cycle records.
  • Execute preventive maintenance and scheduled inspections for electrical and avionics systems per maintenance program, service bulletins and airworthiness directives (ADs) to support regulatory compliance and aircraft dispatch readiness.
  • Conduct aircraft ground tests and bench testing of components removed for troubleshooting, including bench-fault isolation and functional verification of avionics line-replaceable units (LRUs).
  • Install and wire new avionics systems and upgrades (e.g., ADS-B, WAAS GPS, TCAS, SATCOM), perform integration checks, and certify installations per Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) or OEM installation instructions.
  • Document all maintenance actions, wire repairs, component exchanges and test results in the aircraft logbook and electronic maintenance tracking system (e.g., AMOS, CAMP, Ramco) ensuring clear, audit-ready records.
  • Perform bonding and grounding checks, corrosion prevention and treatment for electrical assemblies and structural interfaces to ensure continued conductivity and system safety under all operating conditions.
  • Support line and base maintenance operations by quickly diagnosing and restoring electrical faults to minimize aircraft downtime and maintain on-time departures.
  • Coordinate with engineers, design approval holders and regulatory authorities to implement engineering orders, mod kits and design changes involving electrical or avionics systems.
  • Manage inventory of electrical spares, components and consumables; identify obsolete parts and recommend replacements while maintaining calibration and traceability of test equipment and precision tools.
  • Ensure compliance with all FAA/CAA/EASA airworthiness directives, MEL/CDL limitations and service bulletins affecting electrical and avionics systems; initiate and track corrective actions as required.
  • Perform cable and harness fabrication, including precise stripping, soldering, crimping, heat shrinking and mechanical protection according to aerospace standards (e.g., AS50881, MIL-specs) and company procedures.
  • Conduct functional and operational checks after maintenance and prior to aircraft release to service, collaborating with test pilots or operators during ground runs and flight tests when required.
  • Mentor and train junior technicians and apprentices on best practices for wiring, testing, troubleshooting and documentation — promoting a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
  • Participate in safety programs, job safety analyses and risk assessments for electrical work; follow lockout/tagout procedures and high-voltage safety protocols during isolation and testing of systems.
  • Troubleshoot environmental control and cabin systems interfaced with electrical distribution, including lighting, passenger service modules, electrical heating elements and emergency power systems.
  • Liaise with avionics vendors and suppliers to resolve warranty claims, obtain technical support, and source certified components to ensure repairs meet OEM/airworthiness standards.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of emerging electrical technologies, regulatory changes and industry best practices to inform maintenance strategy and reduce recurrence of faults.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist maintenance planners with forecasting electrical parts and tool needs based on trends and repair frequency.
  • Support continuous improvement projects aimed at reducing electrical system failures and optimizing diagnostic procedures.
  • Contribute to incident investigations and root cause analyses for electrical system malfunctions and in-service events.
  • Help prepare and present technical briefings and handover reports for operations, safety and engineering teams after complex electrical interventions.
  • Participate in cross-functional teams to evaluate aircraft system health monitoring data and recommend preventive measures.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert knowledge of aircraft electrical power systems (AC/DC), power generation and distribution.
  • Proven experience with avionics equipment: radios, transponders, navigation systems, flight instruments and integrated flight decks.
  • Proficient in reading and interpreting wiring diagrams, schematics, installation instructions and maintenance manuals (MRM/AMM).
  • Hands-on skill with test equipment: digital multimeter, oscilloscope, LCR meter, insulation resistance tester (megger), avionics test sets and bench test rigs.
  • Wire harness fabrication: stripping, soldering, crimping, terminal application and heat-shrink application to aerospace standards.
  • Familiarity with aircraft data buses and protocols (e.g., ARINC 429/485, ARINC 629, CANbus, Ethernet avionic networks).
  • Competence with maintenance tracking and technical documentation systems (e.g., AMOS, CAMP, Ramco, TRAX) and enterprise maintenance workflows.
  • Working knowledge of regulatory frameworks and compliance: FAA (14 CFR), EASA Part-66/145, airworthiness directives (ADs) and minimum equipment list (MEL) procedures.
  • Ability to perform bonding/grounding and corrosion mitigation techniques and to use torque tools to precise aerospace tolerances.
  • Experience with installation and certification processes for STCs, SBs and engineering change orders involving electrical systems.
  • Proficient in bench repairs and LRU exchanges, including removal, testing, repair coordination and reinstallation.
  • Familiarity with battery systems, emergency power, and portable oxygen/electrical interfaces where applicable.
  • Basic mechanical skills to access avionics bays, panels and remove/replace aerospace structural fairings without damage.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and meticulous documentation skills to maintain regulatory-compliant maintenance records.
  • Analytical troubleshooting mindset with methodical fault-isolation workflows and ability to synthesize test data into actionable repairs.
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills for interaction with engineers, pilots, safety, suppliers and regulatory bodies.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance urgent AOG repairs with scheduled maintenance tasks.
  • Team collaboration and mentorship aptitude to support junior technicians and cross-functional maintenance teams.
  • Problem ownership and accountability for quality outcomes and continuous reduction of recurrence.
  • Adaptability and willingness to learn new avionics systems, software and testing methodologies.
  • Customer-focused with an understanding of operational impacts and the need to minimize aircraft downtime.
  • Safety-first mindset and adherence to organizational safety policies and electrical isolation procedures.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED with vocational training in aviation electrical systems, electronics or equivalent hands-on experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or higher in Avionics Technology, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology or related field.
  • Completion of an FAA-approved avionics or aircraft maintenance training program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Avionics Technology
  • Electrical / Electronics Engineering Technology
  • Aircraft Maintenance Technology
  • Aeronautical Engineering (technical coursework)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2 to 8 years of progressive aircraft electrical/avionics maintenance experience, depending on aircraft complexity and employer needs.

Preferred:

  • 3–5+ years on type for turbine transport category aircraft or rotorcraft electrical systems for line/base maintenance roles.
  • Experience with integrated flight decks, modern digital avionics suites and installation of avionics retrofits.

Certifications (Preferred / Required):

  • FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate or EASA Part-66 category license (preferred or required by some employers).
  • Avionics certification or manufacturer-specific training (e.g., Garmin, Honeywell, Collins) for complex systems.
  • FCC GROL or Radio License where radio transmitter work is performed.
  • Relevant safety and specialized certifications (e.g., confined space, high-voltage, NDT basics) as required.
  • Evidence of ongoing training: ISP/STC training classes, EWIS/wiring best practices, and company-specific avionics courses.

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