Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Ground Support Equipment Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Technician performs preventive maintenance, diagnostic troubleshooting, repair and overhaul of aircraft ground support systems and vehicles to ensure safe, reliable, and mission-ready equipment on the ramp and in maintenance facilities. This role requires hands-on mechanical and electrical aptitude, familiarity with diesel and gasoline powertrains, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and a strong safety and regulatory compliance focus (OSHA, HAZMAT, fuel handling). The ideal candidate documents work in a CMMS, collaborates with ramp operations and parts procurement, and responds quickly to AOG and emergency service requests.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Diesel/Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Aviation Maintenance Technician Helper
Automotive Maintenance Technician

Advancement To:

Lead Ground Support Equipment Technician / Senior GSE Technician
GSE Maintenance Supervisor / Ramp Maintenance Manager
Director of Ground Operations / Maintenance Manager

Lateral Moves:

Aircraft Maintenance Technician (A&P certified)
Facilities or Fleet Maintenance Technician
Quality Assurance / Safety Specialist (Ground Ops)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform scheduled preventive maintenance (PM) and inspections on a broad range of ground support equipment, including ground power units (GPUs), air start units, tow tractors, baggage tractors, belt loaders, de-icers, lavatory service trucks and fuel service equipment to ensure aircraft turnaround readiness.
Diagnose, troubleshoot and repair electrical systems on GSE using wiring schematics, multimeters and oscilloscopes, addressing alternators, starters, battery systems and charging circuits to restore full functionality.
Troubleshoot and repair hydraulic systems and components—pumps, valves, cylinders and hoses—using hydraulic test gauges and pressure diagnostics to eliminate leaks and restore proper system pressures.
Repair and maintain diesel and gasoline engines, performing tune-ups, injectors and fuel system diagnostics, cooling system repairs and routine engine overhauls to maintain reliable equipment operation.
Inspect and repair pneumatic systems, compressors and air brakes, ensuring correct pressure regulation for air start units and pneumatic lifts; replace seals, valves and tubing as required.
Conduct electrical and mechanical calibrations and functional tests on GPUs, frequency converters and solid-state power units to meet manufacturer performance specifications and ramp safety requirements.
Respond to line-side and AOG (Aircraft on Ground) service calls, diagnose faults under time-critical conditions and perform temporary or permanent repairs to return equipment to service as quickly as safely possible.
Maintain and update maintenance records, service logs and repair history in a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to ensure traceability, compliance and parts forecasting.
Fabricate, weld (MIG/TIG/Stick as applicable) and machine minor replacement parts and brackets in the shop to expedite repairs and minimize equipment downtime.
Perform preventive battery maintenance, load testing and replacement on 24V and 28V battery banks and battery chargers used in GPU and tow tractor applications.
Conduct safety inspections and implement lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures during repair activities; ensure all work complies with company policies and regulatory safety standards (OSHA, HAZMAT, local fuel handling codes).
Coordinate with ramp operations, supervisors and vendors to schedule repairs, order parts and procure specialized tooling or replacement components to support high-priority fleet readiness.
Conduct post-repair functional checks on repaired equipment (brakes, steering, lights, horns, emergency stops) and document results to confirm equipment is safe and operational for ramp use.
Troubleshoot and repair electronic control modules, PLCs and sensor systems on newer GSE models, using manufacturer diagnostics and software where applicable.
Perform wheel, tire and brake service for tow tractors and baggage carts including mounting, balancing, brake pad/shoe replacement and alignment checks to maintain safe towing performance.
Maintain inventory of spare parts, consumables and lubricants; perform cycle counts and communicate reorder points to parts procurement to ensure parts availability and minimize mean time to repair (MTTR).
Execute corrosion control, chassis maintenance and structural inspections; report and repair weld defects, rust penetration and structural fatigue to preserve equipment integrity.
Provide technical training and on-the-job mentorship to junior technicians and ramp staff on safe operation, basic troubleshooting and preventive maintenance best practices.
Operate forklifts, hydraulic jacks, mobile cranes and other shop equipment safely and in accordance with company certifications to move heavy components and equipment.
Test and repair fuel dispensing systems and related controls used in ground refueling equipment, following hazardous materials handling and spill response procedures.
Assist with seasonal equipment preparations, such as de-icer system servicing, cold-weather battery conditioning, and winterizing hydraulic fluids and seals for reliable performance.
Participate in continuous improvement efforts—root cause analysis, failure mode reviews, and maintenance plan optimization—to reduce breakdown frequency and extend GSE service life.
Maintain clear, professional communication with ramp personnel and flight operations to coordinate equipment swaps, prioritized repairs and service windows.
Ensure all tools and test equipment are calibrated, labeled and stored properly; perform daily tool accountability and report missing or faulty test equipment to supervision.
Support emergency response efforts on the ramp, including equipment isolation, temporary repairs and equipment replacement logistics to minimize flight delays and safety risk.

Secondary Functions

Assist in the implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive preventive maintenance program and asset lifecycle plan for all ground support equipment.
Support parts purchasing and vendor management by providing technical specifications, troubleshooting histories and repair estimates to procurement and suppliers.
Prepare and update technical procedure documentation, service bulletins and troubleshooting guides for recurring GSE failures and unique equipment types.
Participate in scheduled on-call rotations and weekend shifts to provide 24/7 coverage for AOG and emergency ground support needs.
Conduct safety briefings and toolbox talks with ramp crews and operators to reinforce proper equipment use, fueling/defueling safety and hazard awareness.
Support facility-level projects such as shop layout improvements, tool crib organization and implementation of condition-based monitoring systems.
Assist Quality Assurance with audits, inspections and corrective action follow-up related to ground support equipment maintenance and repair activities.
Coordinate with engineering or OEM technical support for complex repairs, warranty claims and technical service bulletins.
Help maintain environmental compliance by documenting waste disposal, recycling and fuel/oil spill response actions according to company and regulatory requirements.
Provide input into capital budgeting and replacement planning by evaluating aging equipment, repair costs and fleet readiness metrics.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Ground Support Equipment maintenance and repair (GPUs, tow tractors, belt loaders, de‑icers, air start units, lavatory and potable water service trucks)
Mechanical diagnostics for diesel and gasoline engines, including fuel injection, cooling and exhaust systems
Hydraulic and pneumatic systems troubleshooting, repair and testing
Electrical systems diagnostics, wiring schematics interpretation, multimeter and oscilloscope use
Battery systems maintenance and charging systems for 24V and 28V applications
Use of Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) for work orders, inventory and documentation
Welding and fabrication (MIG/TIG/Stick), sheetmetal repair and basic machining for in-shop repairs
Brake, steering and wheel service for tow tractors and ground vehicles
PLC and electronic controller troubleshooting and basic reprogramming (where applicable)
Use of professional test equipment: hydraulic gauges, fuel pressure testers, battery analyzers, torque wrenches and load testers
Fuel system and refueling equipment safety, HAZMAT handling and spill response procedures
Knowledge of OSHA safety standards and lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures
Reading and executing technical manuals, OEM service bulletins and wiring diagrams
Forklift and heavy-lift equipment operation (certification preferred)

Soft Skills

Strong troubleshooting and analytical problem-solving under time constraints
Clear verbal and written communication with ramp crews, operations and management
Attention to detail and disciplined record-keeping for maintenance compliance
Ability to prioritize multiple service requests in a dynamic, high-paced airport environment
Teamwork and willingness to mentor junior technicians
Customer-service orientation when interacting with internal airline or ground handling stakeholders
Flexibility to work shifts, nights, weekends and be part of an on-call rotation
Safety-first mindset with ability to lead safety briefings and enforce procedures
Initiative and continuous improvement focus (root cause analysis, failure reduction)
Time management, reliability and professional accountability

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with vocational training or trade school coursework in diesel/mechanical/electrical systems.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Diesel Technology, Mechanical Technology, or related technical discipline.
FAA A&P certificate or equivalent aviation maintenance certification is a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology
Automotive Technology
Electrical/Electronic Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7 years of hands-on experience maintaining and repairing ground support equipment, heavy vehicles or industrial mechanical systems.

Preferred:

3+ years specifically supporting GSE in an airport, airline, ground handling or fixed-based operator (FBO) environment.
Experience using CMMS, familiarity with OEM service manuals and demonstrated ability to troubleshoot electrical, hydraulic and diesel systems on ramp equipment.