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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Component Technician

💰 $ - $

AerospaceMaintenanceTechnicianMRO

🎯 Role Definition

The Jet Component Technician performs inspection, maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO), and testing of aircraft engine and accessory components. This role requires precision mechanical skills, familiarity with aviation maintenance documentation (IPC, OEM manuals), and compliance with regulatory standards (FAA, EASA, NADCAP). A successful candidate will diagnose component failures, perform non-destructive inspections and repairs, and document work to strict quality and safety standards in a fast-paced repair station or MRO environment.

Key target keywords: Jet Component Technician, component repair, engine components, MRO, FAA, EASA, NDT, turbine blades, accessory overhaul, aircraft component maintenance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Aircraft Maintenance Technician / A&P Mechanic (entry or early-career)
  • Mechanical Assembler or Aircraft Component Assembler
  • NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) Technician or Quality Inspector

Advancement To:

  • Senior Jet Component Technician / Lead Technician
  • Component Repair Supervisor or Shop Lead
  • Quality or Compliance Engineer (Aerospace)
  • MRO Operations Supervisor or Manager
  • Component Maintenance Planner or Technical Services Engineer

Lateral Moves:

  • NDT Level II/III Specialist
  • Engine Test Cell Technician
  • Overhaul Planner / Materials Controller
  • Tooling & Fixtures Specialist / Machinist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform detailed inspection, troubleshooting, and fault isolation on jet engine components (rotor/stator assemblies, turbine blades, combustors, shafts, bearings, seals, fuel nozzles, actuators, and accessories) following OEM manuals, inspection procedures, and engineering bulletins to determine serviceability and repairability.
  • Execute precision disassembly and reassembly of engine components and accessories using calibrated hand tools, torque wrenches, press fixtures, and bench tooling while maintaining correct part orientation, sequence, and protection of mating surfaces.
  • Conduct and interpret non-destructive testing (NDT) such as eddy current, fluorescent penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasonic testing, and borescope inspections to detect cracks, corrosion, fretting, and subsurface defects; generate NDT reports in compliance with NADCAP and company quality requirements.
  • Perform repairs to metallic and composite components including welding, brazing, thermal spray, composite patching, bonding, blending, machining, shot-peening, surface restoration, polishing and dimensional restoration to OEM and engineering repair data (SRM/IPC/EASA/FAA).
  • Strip, clean, and chemically process components (de-greasing, anodizing, passivation, phosphate conversion coatings) using approved materials and procedures; handle and document hazardous materials and waste in accordance with company and regulatory policies.
  • Apply precision measurement and inspection techniques using micrometers, vernier calipers, dial indicators, bore gauges, profilometers, and CMM (coordinate measuring machine) data to verify dimensional compliance against tolerances and print specifications.
  • Carry out balancing, run-out, and dynamic/static measurement of rotating components, and apply balancing corrections or send items for dynamic balancing as required to meet OEM limits.
  • Match and fit bearings, seals, shafts and journal surfaces; set bearing preload; inspect for wear patterns; and recommend replacement or rework based on data and engineering standards.
  • Perform overhaul and functional testing of accessory units (fuel controls, pumps, starters, generators, actuators) including bench testing, leak testing, pressure and flow verification, and calibration per component test procedures.
  • Read, interpret, and apply engineering repair data, service bulletins, drawings, schematics, and torque charts; document deviations and request engineering disposition when required.
  • Prepare work orders, repair tags, and maintenance records accurately and completely; ensure traceability of parts, components, serial numbers and lot numbers within the CMMS and ERP systems.
  • Package, crate, and preserve repaired components per shipping and storage instructions, ensuring compliance with packaging specifications, shelf-life controls, and transportation regulations for hazardous items.
  • Maintain and calibrate hand tools, test equipment, jigs and fixtures; coordinate with tooling and calibration teams to keep equipment within service limits and calibration schedules.
  • Execute dimensional restoration operations by machining or selective material removal and replacement using bench lathes, mills, surface grinders, and EDM or coordinate with in-house machining departments when out-of-scope.
  • Implement and document corrective actions for recurring failures, participate in root cause analysis (RCA), provide technical inputs to engineering change requests (ECR) and support continuous improvement initiatives to reduce turn-around-time and cost.
  • Comply with all safety, environmental, and quality assurance requirements including PPE use, Lockout-Tagout (LOTO), confined space procedures, and exposure controls for chemicals and solvents.
  • Ensure parts and repairable hardware are dispositioned correctly between repair, replacement, reclamation, or scrap according to company policy and regulatory guidance; complete tags and documentation to support traceability.
  • Liaise with production control, supply chain, quality assurance, and engineering to prioritize work, clarify repair requirements, and resolve discrepancies that could impact schedule or airworthiness.
  • Train and mentor junior technicians on component repair techniques, inspection criteria, best practices, and safe shop procedures; maintain a culture of continuous learning and skills development.
  • Maintain awareness of OEM service bulletins, ADs (airworthiness directives), and regulatory updates that affect component inspection intervals, repair processes, and overhaul requirements; apply changes to work instructions promptly.
  • Use borescope and other remote visual inspection equipment to inspect internal component conditions and document findings with images and reports for engineering evaluation.
  • Collaborate with customers and customer service to provide technical status updates, repair options, and cost/time estimates for component repairs and overhauls.

Secondary Functions

  • Support inventory control by identifying low stock items, obsolete parts, and special tooling needs; coordinate with stores to ensure availability of spares and repair kits.
  • Contribute to process documentation updates, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and work instructions, ensuring that the latest validated procedures are accessible to the shop.
  • Participate in continuous improvement projects (5S, Kaizen, Lean) to optimize workflow, reduce waste, and improve turnaround time for component repair lines.
  • Assist quality assurance with internal audits, non-conformance investigations, and implementation of corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
  • Provide technical input for cost estimates, quotation support, and repair feasibility studies for customer inquiries and RMA evaluations.
  • Help maintain calibration records and logbooks for shop equipment; escalate calibration, maintenance, and tooling issues to supervision to avoid production delays.
  • Perform light machining or surface restoration tasks within scope and coordinate external vendor work for complex machining or specialty treatments (NDT labs, heat treaters, plating shops).
  • Support vendor management for outsourced repairs by validating vendor capabilities, reviewing certificates, and ensuring vendor compliance to company and regulatory quality standards.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Mastery of component-level mechanical repair techniques for jet engine hardware including disassembly/reassembly, rework, and dimensional restoration.
  • Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) knowledge: practical experience or certification in eddy current (ECT), fluorescent penetrant (FPI/LP), magnetic particle inspection (MPI), ultrasonic (UT) and borescope inspections.
  • Strong blueprint reading and technical drawing interpretation, including GD&T fundamentals and ability to translate engineering data into shop actions.
  • Experience with aviation maintenance documentation: OEM component manuals, Structural Repair Manuals (SRM), Illustrated Parts Catalogs (IPC), Service Bulletins (SBs), Airworthiness Directives (ADs) and engineering repair data.
  • Proficient with precision measurement tools: micrometers, vernier/digital calipers, dial indicators, height gauges, bore gauges, and familiarity with CMM outputs.
  • Component testing and bench test experience for fuel controls, pumps, actuators, and accessory units including pressure, leak, and functional tests.
  • Familiarity with balancing and vibration measurement equipment and procedures for rotating parts.
  • Hands-on skills with metal working equipment: lathes, milling machines, grinders, and experience coordinating with machine shop operations.
  • Knowledge of corrosion removal, chemical processing, surface treatments (anodizing, passivation, plating) and preservation methods for airframe and engine parts.
  • Competence using maintenance tracking and ERP/CMMS software for work orders, parts traceability, and documentation (e.g., IFS, SAP, TRAX, Ramco).
  • Understanding of regulatory frameworks (FAA 14 CFR, EASA Part-145, NADCAP) and quality management systems (ISO 9001) applicable to component repair stations.
  • Familiarity with welding and brazing processes applicable to aerospace parts (TIG, brazing filler materials) and ability to work with engineering on approved repair methods.
  • Experience creating and maintaining DOT/hazardous materials documentation and applying safe handling and disposal procedures for solvents and chemical agents.
  • Basic machining and surface finish assessment skills (surface roughness, plating thickness, run-out measurement).

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and methodical approach to inspections, repairs and recordkeeping to ensure component airworthiness and traceability.
  • Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis ability; comfortable working with engineering to define repair dispositions and corrective actions.
  • Clear verbal and written communication to document findings, create repair reports, and interact with customers and cross-functional teams.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to manage multiple repair jobs while meeting turnaround time (TAT) targets.
  • Team player with ability to mentor junior technicians and contribute to a collaborative, safety-first shop culture.
  • Adaptability and willingness to learn new repair techniques, tooling, and technology in an evolving aerospace environment.
  • Accountability and compliance mindset to follow procedures, safety practices, and regulatory requirements without exception.
  • Customer-focused orientation to provide timely, accurate updates and maintain strong customer relationships in a service environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED with technical coursework (preferred: aviation maintenance, machining, or mechanical trades certificate).

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or certificate in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aerospace Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Machining, or Non-Destructive Testing.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Aviation Maintenance Technology
  • Aerospace Engineering Technology
  • Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) / Inspection Technology
  • Precision Machining / Manufacturing Technology
  • Mechanical or Industrial Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7 years working on aircraft engine components, accessory overhaul, or similar aerospace MRO roles.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of component repair/overhaul experience within an FAA/EASA repair station or OEM environment.
  • Prior work with turbofan/turbojet engine components, accessory systems, and bench-testing equipment.
  • Certifications such as FAA A&P (Airframe & Powerplant) or EASA Part-66 (desirable but not always required), and NDT Level II in at least one method (FPI, MPI, ECT) are strongly preferred.
  • NADCAP-related experience or exposure to Nadcap-compliant processes and audits is a plus.

If you need this tailored to a specific organization (repair station, airline, OEM) or adjusted to include salary ranges, benefits, or location-specific regulatory requirements, I can customize the job description further for recruitment postings or ATS optimization.

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