Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Aircraft Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Jet Aircraft Technician performs scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, inspections, troubleshooting, and repairs on jet aircraft airframes, powerplants, and associated systems. Working in a line or base maintenance environment within an MRO, airline, or military context, the Technician ensures aircraft are airworthy and maintained to FAA/EASA/CAA and company standards, documents maintenance actions accurately in maintenance tracking systems, and supports safe and efficient flight operations.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) trainee or apprenticeship
Military aircraft mechanic transitioning to civilian roles
Aircraft maintenance technician with A&P or Part-66 foundational certification

Advancement To:

Lead Jet Aircraft Technician / Lead A&P Technician
Maintenance Shift Supervisor or Base Maintenance Supervisor
Quality Assurance Inspector or Maintenance Control / Production Control Lead
MRO Manager, Maintenance Planner, or Certifications/Continuing Airworthiness Engineer

Lateral Moves:

Avionics Technician (Part-66 B2)
Engine Overhaul Technician / Propulsion Specialist
Structures / Sheet Metal Specialist (composite repair technician)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform scheduled line and base maintenance checks on jet aircraft (A-checks, B-checks, daily checks and pre/post-flight inspections), ensuring all tasks are completed to technical orders, maintenance manuals, and company procedures.
Execute in-depth troubleshooting and diagnostics on aircraft systems including hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel, environmental control, flight controls, landing gear, and electrical power systems using multimeters, oscilloscopes, and onboard fault reporting tools.
Conduct engine and APU inspections, borescope inspections, engine runs and post-run checks, perform chip detector and oil sample analysis coordination, and apply corrective actions per engine manufacturer maintenance manuals and service bulletins.
Carry out structural inspections and repairs (sheet metal and composite), remove and replace damaged components, rivet, fasten, and ensure corrosion control in accordance with structural repair manuals and inspection intervals.
Perform avionics troubleshooting and line-replaceable unit (LRU) swaps, bench test coordination, and wiring harness repairs using wiring diagrams, schematics, and avionics maintenance procedures.
Complete non-routine maintenance and defect rectification by isolating failures, following troubleshooting flowcharts and technical directives, and returning aircraft to service in a safety-compliant manner.
Interpret and apply airworthiness directives (ADs), service bulletins (SBs), manufacturer technical instructions, and regulatory maintenance requirements to all maintenance actions and documentation.
Maintain accurate, contemporaneous entries in maintenance tracking systems (e.g., AMOS, TRAX, CAMP, Aviation InterTec), technical logs, work cards and accomplish sign-offs in accordance with FAA/EASA regulations.
Use calibrated tools and ground support equipment (GSE) safely and correctly, including jacks, tow tractors, engine stands, hydraulic test benches, torque wrenches, and safety harnesses; schedule and document tool calibrations.
Perform ground support and flight line duties including aircraft marshaling, pushback support, engine start/run support, and pre-flight and post-flight servicing as required by operations and safety standards.
Conduct preventive maintenance tasks such as lubrication, filter changes, battery maintenance, brake system servicing, and tire changes to prevent in-service failures and extend component life.
Execute functional checks and operational tests after maintenance or repair (such as flight control checks, gear retraction/extension cycles, and pressurization tests) to verify system integrity prior to release to service.
Coordinate with flight crew, maintenance control, planners, and supply chain to optimize aircraft availability, provide accurate repair estimates, and secure required parts and approvals for deferred defects and MEL/CDL items.
Perform and document corrosion inspections and corrective treatments, including surface preparation, chemical treatment, and application of corrosion inhibiting compounds in line with corrosion control programs.
Participate in engine/APU borescope inspections, record and interpret findings, and recommend repair or overhaul actions with associated work scopes and time estimates.
Support weight and balance data collection, component removal/installation impact analysis, and ensure documentation remains current following major repairs or component changes.
Assist quality assurance and internal/external auditors during audits and inspections by providing work records, demonstrating compliance with procedures, and implementing corrective actions for non-conformances.
Execute non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques such as visual, dye-penetrant, eddy-current, or ultrasonic inspections where qualified, or coordinate with NDT specialists to validate structural integrity when required.
Apply shop practices for composite repairs, adhesive bonding, scarfing, and laminate restoration following OEM and repair station instructions for composite airframe structures.
Follow lockout/tagout and respiratory/safety protocols during hazardous tasks (fuel, battery handling, pressurized components), maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and ensure adherence to company safety management system (SMS) requirements.
Mentor, train and guide junior technicians and apprentices by demonstrating maintenance best practices, safety procedures, and accurate recordkeeping; contribute to skill development and cross-training programs.
Prepare and close out maintenance work packages, compile parts lists, track consumption against inventory, and recommend spares stocking levels to optimize parts availability for line maintenance.
Troubleshoot avionics and integrated modular avionics (IMA) issues, liaise with OEM technical support and avionics shops for complex LRUs, and coordinate component repair/overhaul processing.
Execute engine or APU removal and installation following rigging and alignment procedures, torque sequencing, and run-up verification steps to restore aircraft to operational status.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to reduce turn-time, increase reliability, and implement lean maintenance practices and 5S in hangar and tooling areas.
Ensure compliance with national and international regulations (FAA, EASA, CAA) for maintenance releases, certifications, and licensing; ensure delegated release or sign-off authorities are followed and documented.

Secondary Functions

Support maintenance planning by providing technical input for work scopes, maintenance task cards, and labor hour estimates used by planners and production control.
Assist in parts requisitioning and vendor communication for hard-to-find or long-lead items, escalate critical part issues to maintenance control to avoid AOG situations.
Maintain and organize tooling, test equipment and TPI (tools, parts, and instruments) inventories, log tool calibration intervals, and report lost/damaged equipment.
Participate in safety meetings, hazard identification, incident reporting, and root cause analysis following any workplace safety events.
Contribute to on-the-job training documentation and SOP revisions by communicating field findings that improve clarity and reduce repeat defects.
Liaise with certification bodies and quality assurance during special inspections, major repairs, or supplemental type certificate (STC) installations.
Support operational readiness by assisting in aircraft ferry, runway checks, and position changes when required by operational demands.
Engage in cross-functional teamwork with engineering, reliability, and supply chain teams to resolve recurring issues and implement permanent fixes.
Participate in scheduled training and recurrent assessments to maintain currency in regulatory, technical and safety competencies.
Keep up-to-date with manufacturer alerts, new maintenance techniques, and tooling improvements that impact jet maintenance practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification, EASA Part-66 B1/B2, or equivalent recognized aircraft maintenance license.
Proven experience with jet turbine engines (CFM56, V2500, GE, Rolls-Royce types) including borescope inspections, engine runs, and basic troubleshooting.
Strong competence in airframe systems: hydraulics, landing gear, flight controls, environmental control systems, and fuel systems.
Avionics and electrical systems troubleshooting skills including reading wiring diagrams, LRUs replacement, and use of avionics bench test equipment.
Maintenance tracking and CMMS proficiency (e.g., AMOS, TRAX, CAMP, Ramco, Aviation InterTec) — accurate logbook and digital maintenance entry capability.
Familiarity with regulatory documents: Airworthiness Directives (ADs), Service Bulletins (SBs), Structural Repair Manuals (SRM), and Illustrated Parts Catalogs (IPC).
Hands-on experience with structural and composite repairs, sheet metal work, riveting, and corrosion control processes.
Use of precision tools and calibrated test equipment: torque tools, multimeters, oscilloscopes, borescopes, hydraulic test stands.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) knowledge or certification (visual, dye-penetrant, eddy current, ultrasonic) or the ability to interface with NDT specialists.
Ability to perform weight & balance, rigging, and alignment tasks following manufacturer instructions and company procedures.
Engine/APU removal and installation procedures and familiarity with engine mount alignment and run-up checks.
Proficient in technical reading, interpreting maintenance manuals, wiring diagrams, structural drawings, and engineering service letters.
Familiarity with MEL/CDL procedures, deferred defect processes, and release-to-service documentation (electronic or paper sign-off).
Basic computer skills: Microsoft Office (Excel for logs and parts tracking), email, and digital technical referencing tools (eTechLog, iPads with OEM manuals).

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and meticulous documentation habits to ensure regulatory compliance and aircraft safety.
Excellent troubleshooting mindset and analytical problem-solving when isolating intermittent or complex system faults.
Effective oral and written communication skills to coordinate with flight crew, planners, suppliers, and engineers.
Team player with the ability to work under pressure in fast-paced line maintenance or tight base maintenance windows.
Time management and prioritization skills to meet dispatch timelines and minimize aircraft on ground (AOG) time.
Safety-focused attitude with the ability to identify hazards, follow lockout/tagout procedures, and adhere to SMS protocols.
Adaptability to changing schedules, last-minute deferrals, and evolving technical directives.
Mentorship and training aptitude for coaching junior technicians and contributing to cross-training programs.
Customer-service orientation when interacting with flight crews and stakeholders to balance safety with operational needs.
Initiative and continuous improvement mindset to suggest process efficiencies and reliability improvements.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED plus completion of an FAA-certified Aviation Maintenance Technician School, vocational program, or equivalent military training.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aeronautical Engineering Technology, or related field.
Advanced certifications (EASA Part-66, OEM-specific training, NDT certifications, avionics certifications).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering Technology
Avionics and Electrical Systems
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Composite Materials and Structural Repair

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–8 years of hands-on aircraft maintenance experience, with at least 1–3 years on jet aircraft preferred for line roles; 3–7+ years preferred for base/hangar or lead technician roles.

Preferred:

3–5+ years working specifically on commercial or business jet platforms with documented maintenance history.
Demonstrated experience with FAA/EASA regulatory environments, maintenance tracking systems, and OEM technical documentation.
Prior experience in an MRO, airline, corporate flight department, or military aircraft maintenance setting.