Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Cabin Mechanic

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking a qualified Cabin Mechanic (Aircraft Interiors Technician) to perform maintenance, repair and modification of aircraft cabin interiors and related systems. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with upholstery, seat tracks, galleys, lavatories, in-flight entertainment (IFE), oxygen and emergency equipment, and demonstrates strong adherence to regulatory requirements (FAA/A&P, EASA Part-66 or equivalent). This role supports line and heavy maintenance, modifications, retrofits and defect resolution to ensure passenger comfort, safety and regulatory compliance.

Key SEO / LLM keywords: Cabin Mechanic, Aircraft Interiors Technician, aircraft cabin maintenance, A&P mechanic, FAA certified, EASA Part-66, upholstery repair, seat track maintenance, galley and lav systems, IFE troubleshooting, cabin systems.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) / A&P Apprentice
Upholstery Technician or Aircraft Interiors Assembler
Sheet Metal or Structures Technician (entry-level)

Advancement To:

Lead Cabin Mechanic / Senior Aircraft Interiors Technician
Maintenance Supervisor or Shop Lead (Cabin Interiors)
Certification Representative / Production Approval Holder (PAH) liaison

Lateral Moves:

Avionics or IFE Technician
Sheet Metal / Structures Technician
Cabin Modification Engineer (with additional training)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform scheduled inspection, preventive maintenance and defect rectification of aircraft cabin interiors including seats, armrests, seat tracks, tray tables, carpeting, overhead bins and panels, ensuring compliance with manufacturer service bulletins and regulatory airworthiness requirements.
Troubleshoot, diagnose and repair seat mechanisms (recline, slide, legrest), mechanical actuators, seatbelt systems, and in-seat power outlets, completing functional checks and documented tests before release to service.
Remove, install and repair complete seating assemblies and seat components during heavy maintenance visits and retrofits; perform riveting, nutplate installation, shimming and torqueing per structural and torque specifications.
Repair and replace upholstery, fabric, leather and foam components; perform precise measuring, patterning, sewing, adhesive bonding and trim work to restore cabin aesthetics and passenger comfort.
Service, test and repair galley equipment and fixtures (oven units, coffee makers, chilled compartments, latches), and perform plumbing and electrical checks where applicable to ensure safe operation.
Diagnose and repair lavatory systems including waste and water lines, valves, seals, pumps, and indicator systems; perform leak detection and pressure checks following maintenance manuals.
Inspect, test and service oxygen systems, portable oxygen bottles, masks, tubing and passenger oxygen deployment systems; ensure correct stowage, pressure and seal integrity and log expirations and hydrostatic test requirements.
Inspect, maintain and certify emergency equipment including life vests, life rafts, evacuation slides, slide pack servicing and installation, and ensure all placarding, seals and dates meet regulatory requirements.
Perform minor composite, laminate and honeycomb repairs to cabin panels and fairings; perform bonding, surface preparation, sanding and finishing to restore structural integrity and cosmetic appearance.
Install and troubleshoot in-flight entertainment (IFE) and cabin electronics, including wiring routing, connector replacement, and fault isolation using wiring diagrams and test equipment.
Carry out cabin structural repairs involving non-primary structure panels and attach points, following approved data, repair schemes and engineering dispositions; install modification kits and supplemental type certificates (STCs).
Execute pre- and post-modification inspections and functional checks after installation of interior modifications, ensuring items are documented on work orders and maintenance logs for regulatory compliance.
Use technical publications, illustrated parts catalogs (IPC), structural repair manuals (SRM) and maintenance planning documents to determine correct procedures, parts and torque values.
Complete and sign maintenance records, logbooks, work orders and release-to-service documentation accurately and in accordance with FAA/EASA and company procedures.
Support Aircraft on Ground (AOG) responses for cabin-related defects; perform rapid troubleshooting and corrective action to minimize downtime and return the aircraft to service safely.
Coordinate with procurement and stores to requisition interior spares, consumables, adhesives, upholstery materials and seat parts; manage kit builds for retrofit programs and track inventory usage.
Maintain compliance with company tool control, jigs and fixture procedures; ensure torque wrenches and calibrated tools are inspected and within calibration interval.
Participate in safety and quality audits; implement corrective actions from findings and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives for cabin maintenance processes.
Mentor and train junior cabin technicians and apprentices on techniques for upholstery, seat removal/installation, and cabin systems troubleshooting while enforcing safe work practices.
Ensure housekeeping and cleanliness of the cabin maintenance shop, enforce EHS policies for chemical handling, composite dust control, and disposal of hazardous materials.
Liaise with engineering, certification, quality and customer representatives during retrofit and modification programs to ensure interior changes meet customer expectations and regulatory approvals.
Follow company lockout/tagout (LOTO) and confined space protocols when working with galley and lavatory systems or when accessing restricted cabinet areas.
Maintain a high standard of customer service when working on aircraft at customer bases; explain work done to flight crew or operators and document any cabin condition discrepancies.

Secondary Functions

Support scheduled cabin modification projects and retrofits by preparing parts kits, ensuring documentation completeness and assisting in project coordination.
Assist in developing standard work instructions, job aids and interior repair procedures to improve repeatability and reduce turnaround time.
Support cross-functional maintenance teams during heavy checks by providing cabin-specific expertise and manpower where needed.
Participate in continuous training programs on new cabin systems, STCs and evolving regulatory requirements.
Help manage vendor relationships for upholstery, specialty upholstery sewing, slide/raft servicing and certified life support equipment maintenance.
Assist quality control with audits, rework and discrepancy tracking; provide corrective actions for recurring cabin-related findings.
Provide input to maintenance planners and schedulers regarding parts lead times, estimated man-hours and special tooling requirements for upcoming cabin work.
Participate in emergency response drills and contribute to safety meetings focused on cabin maintenance hazards and mitigation.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

FAA A&P certificate or EASA Part-66 (or local regulatory equivalent); demonstrated experience with aircraft interior maintenance and regulatory documentation.
Proficient in reading and interpreting maintenance manuals, structural repair manuals (SRM), illustrated parts catalogs (IPC) and wiring diagrams.
Hands-on experience with seat removal/installation, seat track maintenance, torqueing fasteners, riveting and nutplate installation.
Upholstery skills: measuring, pattern making, sewing, adhesive bonding, foam replacement and surface finishing for cabin interiors.
Experience servicing galley and lavatory systems, plumbing, valves, seals, water/waste pumps and performing leak checks.
Knowledge of emergency equipment inspection and servicing procedures (slides, rafts, life vests, portable oxygen units).
Familiarity with composite and laminate repair techniques for non-primary structures (bonding, sanding, patching).
Ability to install and troubleshoot IFE and cabin electrical systems, including harness routing, connector servicing and basic avionics interfacing.
Skilled in use of calibrated tools: torque wrenches, rivet guns, pneumatic tools, angle drills, borescopes, multimeters and vacuum/pressure test equipment.
Strong documentation skills for maintenance logs, tech records and regulatory release forms; experience with electronic maintenance tracking systems (e.g., AMOS, TRAX, Ramco).
Experience working to STCs and SBs, and following approved engineering repair data and work cards.
Knowledge of corrosion control, surface preparation and paint touch-up for interior components.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and quality-first mindset to deliver safe, passenger-ready cabin interiors.
Excellent problem-solving and diagnostic skills, with ability to work under time pressure during AOG and line maintenance situations.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for coordination with engineering, quality, inspectors and customers.
Team player who can mentor junior technicians, collaborate across departments and contribute to a productive shop environment.
Time management and prioritization skills to manage multiple tasks, scheduled checks and unscheduled defects efficiently.
Customer-focused attitude when interacting with airline operators, cabin crew and maintenance control.
Adaptability and willingness to continuously learn new systems, STCs, materials and regulatory changes.
Strong adherence to safety culture, including PPE use, hazardous material handling and housekeeping.
Reliability and accountability in meeting work schedules, documentation requirements and release-to-service responsibilities.
Professionalism and discretion when working in customer-sensitive environments.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED; vocational training in aircraft maintenance or trade school preferred.

Preferred Education:

Associate Degree or diploma in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aeronautical Engineering Technician program, or specialized aircraft interiors/upholstery program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering Technology
Composites and Structures
Upholstery / Textile Technology (for cabin interiors)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2 – 8 years of aircraft maintenance experience, with at least 2 years focused on cabin interiors (seats, upholstery, galley, lavatory, emergency equipment).

Preferred:

4+ years as a Cabin Mechanic or Aircraft Interiors Technician on commercial transport category aircraft (narrow-body and/or wide-body).
Experience in both line maintenance and heavy maintenance environments (A-checks, C-checks, retrofits).
Demonstrated history of working with FAA or EASA regulatory frameworks and completing release-to-service paperwork.
Experience with electronic maintenance tracking systems (e.g., AMOS, TRAX, Ramco) and familiarity with STC installations and supplemental data.

If you’d like, I can tailor this job description for a specific aircraft type (narrow-body vs wide-body), regulatory region (FAA vs EASA), or to include checklist-style interview questions and a skills assessment matrix.