Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Aircraft Mechanic

🎯 Role Definition

The Jet Aircraft Mechanic is responsible for performing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, inspections, troubleshooting and repairs on jet-powered airframes and powerplants in compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., FAA 14 CFR, EASA), manufacturer maintenance manuals, and company procedures. This role requires advanced mechanical aptitude, deep knowledge of turbofan/turbojet systems, NDT/NDI techniques, strong record-keeping and safety focus. The successful candidate will reliably return aircraft to service, support technical investigations, and contribute to continuous improvement of maintenance processes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) technician or EASA Part-66 B1/B2 licensed technician
Military aircraft mechanic (jet engine and flight-line experience)
Certified aviation maintenance technician with regional airline or corporate flight department experience

Advancement To:

Lead Aircraft Mechanic / Shift Lead
Maintenance Control / Planner
Quality Assurance Inspector or Certified Inspector
Maintenance Supervisor / Base Maintenance Manager
Designated Engineering Representative (DER) or Senior Line Maintenance Engineer

Lateral Moves:

Avionics Technician (Part-66 B2 pathway)
Sheet Metal / Structures Technician
Engine-specific Technician (e.g., turbofan specialist)
Technical Records / Maintenance Planner

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform and document line, base, A-check/B-check/C-check level maintenance and scheduled inspections on jet aircraft in strict accordance with the manufacturer's maintenance manual, illustrated parts catalog, and applicable airworthiness directives (ADs) and service bulletins.
Diagnose, troubleshoot and repair complex turbofan/turbojet propulsion systems including accessory gearboxes, fuel control systems, starters, and bleed-air components using borescope, vibration analysis, and engine test cell data where applicable.
Inspect airframe structures, flight control systems, landing gear assemblies, hydraulic and pneumatic systems for wear, damage, cracks or corrosion; perform repair or replacement following structural repair manuals and approved repair schemes.
Execute pre-flight, post-flight and daily walk-around inspections; identify discrepancies, log findings in aircraft technical logs, and ensure timely rectification or deferral in accordance with Minimum Equipment List (MEL) or company policy.
Perform electrical power system troubleshooting and repairs including generators, batteries, wiring harnesses, circuit breakers, bus distribution and associated ground power interfaces; coordinate with avionics when issues span systems.
Conduct precision alignments, rigging and calibration of flight controls, landing gear, and flight surfaces to manufacturer tolerances and verify performance with test procedures and specialized tools.
Carry out non-destructive inspection (NDI) techniques—dye penetrant, magnetic particle, eddy current, ultrasonic, and borescope inspections—to detect subsurface and surface defects and document findings for engineering disposition.
Maintain and service environmental control systems (ECS), air conditioning packs, pressurization systems and bleed-air components, performing leak checks, valve maintenance and performance restorations.
Troubleshoot and repair fuel systems including pumps, valves, lines, and tanks; perform fuel system leak tests, venting and contamination control procedures.
Service and maintain aircraft hydraulic systems: pumps, actuators, reservoirs, lines and valves — perform system flushing, contamination control, and component replacement to manufacturer standards.
Remove, inspect, repair and install major assemblies such as engines, APUs, thrust reversers and nacelles; follow engine change procedures, torque sequences and safety control measures to ensure airworthiness.
Read and interpret technical publications, wiring diagrams, schematics and component maintenance manuals to perform safe and accurate repairs; prepare detailed work orders and component removal reports.
Comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and company safety programs; participate actively in safety briefings, toolbox talks and hazard reporting; perform work using approved tooling and PPE.
Execute component troubleshooting and bench-level repairs per component maintenance manuals (CMMs) and coordinate with component shops or OEMs for overhaul or warranty disposition.
Support troubleshooting of avionics-related faults (interfacing with avionics technicians), including sensors, pitot-static, transponders, and navigation/communication system interfaces as part of integrated system fault isolation.
Complete accurate technical logbook entries, maintenance release forms and sign-off tasks per certification privileges; maintain traceable records for parts, life-limited components and cyclical maintenance actions.
Perform corrosion control and treatment on metallic and composite structures; execute surface preparation, sealant application, and repairs to protect structural integrity and meet environmental standards.
Execute rigging checks, static and dynamic balancing for rotating components and flight controls; perform ground tests and functional checks to validate repair effectiveness prior to return-to-service.
Lead root-cause analysis for recurring defects, collaborate with engineering and reliability teams to implement corrective actions, and document results to reduce repeat maintenance and improve dispatch reliability.
Train and mentor junior mechanics and apprentices on procedures, safety practices and company maintenance standards; provide on-the-job supervision and technical guidance during complex tasks.
Manage tool control and calibration schedules, ensure torque wrenches, test equipment and measuring devices are calibrated and used correctly; maintain tool accountability records to meet audit requirements.
Expedite parts and consumables sourcing through stores, supply chain and OEMs; verify part numbers and serviceability of components, update status in maintenance tracking systems and assist with logistics for overnight part needs.
Support aircraft ferrying activities, towing, jacking and ground handling operations; coordinate with operations, dispatch and flight crews to prepare aircraft for movement or post-maintenance checks.
Participate in pre-modification planning and installations of supplemental type certificates (STCs) and structural or system modifications; follow modification kits, installation instructions and perform post-modification functional testing.

Secondary Functions

Assist maintenance control with real-time troubleshooting support and technical liaison during AOG events and irregular operations.
Support continuous improvement initiatives by contributing maintenance data, time studies and suggestions to reduce turnaround time and increase reliability.
Participate in internal and external audits, provide evidence of compliance, and implement corrective actions as required by quality and regulatory teams.
Help maintain a clean, organized, and safety-compliant hangar environment, including hazardous waste handling and proper storage of chemicals and lubricants.
Provide hands-on support during heavy maintenance campaigns, including C-check and D-check planning, component removal/installation and interface with subcontractors.
Assist with training coordination and competency tracking for trade-specific recurrent training, human factors, and type-rating updates.
Serve as backup support for parts and materials receiving inspections and inventory reconciliation when required.
Engage with engineering for technical queries, service bulletin implementation, and temporary repair schemes, documenting outcomes and follow-up actions.
Contribute to preventive maintenance planning by flagging recurring issues and suggesting updates to scheduled task cards and checklists.
Participate in safety investigations and root cause documentation following incidents or near-misses; implement recommendations as part of corrective action plans.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate or EASA Part-66 B1/B2 licensing (or equivalent regulatory approval).
Demonstrated experience with turbofan and turbojet engines: removal/installation, borescope inspection, accessory systems and engine ground runs.
Proficient in airframe structural repairs, composite and metallic repair techniques, and reading structural repair manuals (SRMs).
Non-destructive inspection (NDI/NDT) experience: dye-penetrant, magnetic particle, eddy current, ultrasonic and borescope inspection methods.
Strong knowledge of hydraulic, pneumatic and fuel systems diagnostics, repair and testing procedures.
Ability to interpret wiring diagrams, schematics and avionics interface documentation and collaborate with avionics teams on integrated system faults.
Familiarity with regulatory compliance: 14 CFR parts applicable (e.g., 43, 91, 121) or equivalent civil aviation regulations and airworthiness directives (ADs).
Experience with maintenance tracking systems (e.g., AMOS, TRAX, CAMP, Ramco) for logging maintenance actions and managing component life limits.
Proficient with precision tools and test equipment: torque wrenches, multimeters, oscilloscopes, hydraulic test stands and calibration tools.
Hands-on experience with landing gear systems: struts, actuators, brakes and steering components and the associated maintenance procedures.
Knowledge of MEL dispatch criteria, deferred defect processes and repair deferral coordination.
Ability to perform weight & balance checks, rigging and flight control adjustments to manufacturer tolerances.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail with a dedication to workmanship and safety-first mindset.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for logbooks, defect description and cross-team coordination.
Problem-solving mindset and methodical troubleshooting approach under time pressure (AOG scenarios).
Team player who can mentor junior staff and work across maintenance, operations and engineering teams.
Effective time management and ability to prioritize tasks in a high-tempo maintenance environment.
Adaptability to shift work, irregular hours and deployment to satellite bases for operational support.
Professional integrity and accountability for regulatory sign-offs and maintenance releases.
Continuous learning orientation and willingness to pursue recurrent training, type ratings and manufacturer courses.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with relevant aviation maintenance trade school or on-the-job apprenticeship.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or diploma in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, or an equivalent technical program.
Completion of a certified aircraft maintenance school or military technical training program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aeronautical Engineering Technology
Aircraft Structures and Systems
Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (technical courses relevant to aircraft systems)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–8 years of progressive jet aircraft maintenance experience (line and base maintenance).

Preferred: 5+ years of direct experience working on regional, narrowbody or business jet fleets with documented experience in inspections, engine changeouts, NDI, and regulatory sign-offs. Prior experience in airline or MRO environments, or military jet maintenance with transferable certifications, is highly desirable.