Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Control Technician

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking an experienced Jet Control Technician to inspect, troubleshoot, repair and certify jet engine and aircraft control systems including FADEC/ECU, electronic and electro‑hydraulic actuators, servo valves, flight control actuation, sensors and associated wiring harnesses. This role combines precision hands‑on maintenance, test bench operation, fault isolation using avionics test equipment, and strict adherence to regulatory and OEM maintenance procedures. The ideal candidate brings strong avionics and hydraulic experience, demonstrable calibration and test-bench skills, solid documentation practices, and a safety‑first mindset.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Avionics Technician / A&P Mechanic I
Electro‑Mechanical Technician or Hydraulic Technician
Apprenticeship in Aircraft Maintenance or Avionics

Advancement To:

Senior Jet Control Technician / Lead Technician
Quality & Reliability Engineer (Controls)
Maintenance Supervisor or Shop Foreman

Lateral Moves:

Avionics Systems Engineer
Flight Control Systems Specialist
Component Overhaul Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform detailed inspections, troubleshooting and repair of jet engine control systems (including FADEC, fuel metering units, engine control units, governors and associated wiring harnesses) in accordance with OEM manuals, manufacturer service bulletins, and FAA/EASA regulatory standards.
Disassemble, clean, inspect, rework and reassemble electro‑hydraulic actuators, servo valves, position sensors, and feedback potentiometers using precision hand tools and documented processes to maintain OEM tolerances.
Operate diagnostic test benches and specialized test equipment (FADEC test sets, hydraulic test stands, servo test rigs, oscilloscopes, multimeters, spectrum analyzers) to perform functional testing, parameter verification and full system simulations.
Execute fault isolation and root cause analysis on control units and actuators utilizing wiring diagrams, schematics, system logic flowcharts, and historical maintenance data to determine necessary repairs or replacements.
Install, remove and replace control modules, actuators, sensors and wiring harnesses on aircraft and in shop environments, ensuring proper torqueing, lubrication, routing and environmental protection per maintenance instructions.
Perform bench-level software updates, configuration loading and parameter programming for engine control units (ECUs / FADECs) following secure uploading procedures, version control and verification steps.
Calibrate sensors, potentiometers and position transducers to precise OEM specifications and verify calibration with traceable measurement equipment; maintain calibration records and schedule re‑calibration intervals for shop tools.
Conduct borescope inspections, corrosion assessments and non‑destructive checks on control components and surrounding structure; document findings and recommend corrective actions.
Execute repetitive and routine preventive maintenance tasks on flight control linkages, actuators and hydraulic power units to ensure reliability and compliance with scheduled maintenance plans.
Prepare clear, FAA/EASA-compliant maintenance records, work orders, logbook entries and service reports that capture actions taken, parts installed, test results and signoffs, ensuring traceability and audit readiness.
Verify parts eligibility, shelf life, AD/Mandatory Service Bulletin status and perform required parts traceability checks before installation; coordinate with parts, stores and procurement to obtain approved spares.
Participate in weight and balance adjustments and rigging activities for flight control surfaces, ensuring movement limits, control continuity and clearance checks are validated after work.
Support aircraft ground runs, engine starts and functional flight control system checks in coordination with flight crews and operations personnel, executing safety protocols and checklist procedures.
Ensure adherence to company safety programs, hazardous materials handling, lockout/tagout protocols and personal protective equipment usage while performing maintenance in hangar and shop environments.
Implement continuous improvement suggestions by documenting repetitive failure modes, proposing corrective actions, and collaborating with engineering and reliability teams to reduce repeat maintenance events.
Interface with OEM technical representatives and field service engineers to escalate complex failures, coordinate warranty claims, and implement approved repair schemes.
Train and mentor junior technicians and apprentices on safe work practices, soldering and wiring harness repair, test bench procedures, and interpretation of wiring diagrams and circuit theory as it applies to control systems.
Maintain and calibrate shop tooling and test equipment, schedule periodic instrument calibration, and ensure bench fixtures, rigging tools and meters are in serviceable condition and tagged appropriately.
Perform environmental sealing, conformal coating and contamination control tasks for electronic control units and harnesses to protect against moisture, heat and vibration effects.
Assist in modifications and upgrades to control systems, including installation of retrofit kits, flight test instrumentation and data acquisition equipment, following engineering orders and modification instructions.
Execute emergency troubleshooting and on‑wing repairs in line maintenance scenarios, prioritizing aircraft return‑to‑service while maintaining regulatory compliance and technical integrity.
Participate in safety investigations and maintenance quality audits, provide factual input to non‑conformance reports, and help implement corrective and preventive actions.

Secondary Functions

Support engineering change implementations by providing hands‑on assessments, feasibility feedback and required tooling recommendations for retrofits and upgrades.
Assist the reliability team by compiling failure reports, tracking MTBF trends and contributing to reliability improvement projects for control components.
Coordinate with logistics and stores to forecast demand for high‑usage components and help reduce AOG delays through proactive parts planning.
Participate in continuous training programs to remain current with FADEC, fly‑by‑wire, electro‑hydraulic and digital control system technologies and OEM training updates.
Provide on‑call technical support for overnight or outstation corrections, including phone‑based fault diagnosis and remote test guidance to field maintenance crews.
Conduct small scale project work such as creation of bench test procedures, tooling designs and shop work instructions to enhance throughput and safety.
Support regulatory audits and certification activities by preparing documentation, participating in walk‑throughs, and implementing SME recommendations.
Assist in the development and maintenance of technical libraries (e.g., IPC, wiring diagrams, service bulletins) to ensure field access to current documentation.
Collaborate with quality assurance to triage suspect or rejected parts, facilitate containment, and implement corrective actions for systematic defects.
Help manage calibration schedules and vendor relationships for specialized test equipment and shop services.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in troubleshooting and repairing FADEC/ECU systems, engine control units and associated digital control software environments.
Strong knowledge of electro‑hydraulic and electro‑mechanical actuator design, repair techniques and functional testing procedures.
Experience operating specialized diagnostic and test bench equipment (FADEC test sets, servo/actuator test rigs, hydraulic test stands, oscilloscopes, LCR meters, spectrum analyzers).
Skilled at reading and interpreting wiring diagrams, IPCs, schematics, circuit board layouts and OEM maintenance manuals.
Proven ability to perform sensor calibration, potentiometer adjustment, resolver alignment and position transducer verification to OEM tolerances.
Hands‑on familiarity with aircraft hydraulic systems, reservoirs, pumps, accumulators, fluid servicing procedures and contamination control.
Competence in borescope inspections, NDT basics applicable to control components, and corrosion prevention best practices.
Experience with maintenance documentation systems, logbook entries, FAA/EASA sign‑offs and electronic tech records.
Ability to perform software uploads, configuration changes and parameter verification on control units while maintaining version control and cybersecurity awareness.
Basic soldering, wiring harness repair, cable routing and crimping skills compliant with avionics quality standards.
Knowledge of regulatory frameworks (FAA, EASA, CAA) and airworthiness directives affecting jet control and engine systems.
Familiarity with tooling and measurement equipment calibration, torque application, and precision mechanical rework techniques.
Understanding of aircraft rigging principles and experience validating control surface travel, tension and balance after maintenance.
Proficiency with troubleshooting methodologies: fault tree analysis, use of technical logs, borescope findings and bench diagnostics to drive repairs.

Soft Skills

Excellent attention to detail and strong safety orientation with consistent adherence to procedures and checklists.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for interaction with pilots, engineers, OEM representatives and inspection authorities.
Strong problem‑solving and analytical thinking, able to methodically isolate faults and propose practical repair plans.
Team player who mentors junior staff, contributes to a positive maintenance culture, and collaborates across departments.
Time management and prioritization skills to balance urgent AOG tasks with scheduled shop workloads.
Adaptability to work in dynamic line maintenance environments and respond effectively during aircraft operational disruptions.
Professional integrity and accountability for work quality, documentation accuracy and regulatory compliance.
Continuous learning mindset to stay current with evolving jet control technologies and industry best practices.
Customer service orientation for interaction with airline clients, maintenance managers and external stakeholders.
Stress tolerance and composure when working under tight turnarounds or high‑pressure AOG situations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent with technical/vocational training in aircraft systems, avionics or electro‑mechanical disciplines.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or diploma in Avionics, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Aerospace Engineering Technology, or related technical field.
FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification or EASA Part‑66 category (B1/B2) is strongly preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Avionics Technology / Aircraft Maintenance
Aerospace Engineering Technology
Electro‑Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3 to 7+ years of hands‑on experience maintaining aircraft engine control systems, flight controls and/or avionics in an MRO, airline, military or OEM environment.

Preferred:

5+ years with demonstrable experience on turbine engine control systems (FADEC/ECU), servo/actuator overhaul, bench testing and certification under FAA/EASA regulations.
Prior experience with specific OEM platforms or engine models (list applicable engines or aircraft families if hiring) and formal OEM test bench training is a plus.