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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Electrical Technician

💰 $55,000 - $120,000

AviationMaintenanceAvionicsEngineering

🎯 Role Definition

We are hiring a Jet Electrical Technician (Aircraft Electrical/Avionics Technician) to perform scheduled maintenance, troubleshoot complex electrical and avionics systems, and ensure compliance with regulatory and manufacturer standards on commercial and business jets. The ideal candidate is safety-focused, technically proficient with aircraft wiring, electrical power systems, wiring harnesses and avionics line-replaceable units (LRUs), and experienced in returning jet aircraft to service quickly and reliably while keeping clear, auditable maintenance records.

Primary SEO / LLM keywords: Jet Electrical Technician, aircraft electrical systems, avionics technician, wiring harness repair, LRU removal and replacement, FAA A&P, EASA B1/B2, Part 145 maintenance, electrical troubleshooting, aircraft power distribution.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Avionics Technician / A&P Mechanic (Electrical specialization)
  • Aerospace Electrical Assembler or Wireman with aircraft experience
  • Technical school graduate (Avionics / Electrical Technology)

Advancement To:

  • Lead Electrical / Avionics Technician
  • Avionics Supervisor or Maintenance Supervisor
  • Reliability Engineer (Electrical Systems) or Fleet Electrical Specialist

Lateral Moves:

  • Component Repair Technician (LRU bench level)
  • Line Maintenance Technician (broader airframe/mechanical focus)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct thorough electrical system inspections and functional tests on jet aircraft, including power generation (generators/IDGs), power distribution buses, transformers, and inverters to verify serviceability and compliance with OEM maintenance manuals and regulatory directives.
  • Troubleshoot complex electrical faults using avionics test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, loop testers) and fault isolation procedures to identify intermittent and hard faults in wiring, connectors, harnesses, circuit breakers, and avionics LRUs.
  • Perform removal, replacement, alignment and functional checks of avionics LRUs such as flight management systems (FMS), navigation receivers (GPS/IRU), radios (COM/NAV), transponders, TCAS, weather radar, and EFIS displays following SOPs and manufacturer procedures.
  • Diagnose and repair aircraft wiring harnesses: splicing, soldering, crimping, sleeving and installation of heat-shrink tubing, cable supports, clamps and conduit to restore wiring integrity and electromagnetic compatibility as per wiring diagrams and IPC standards.
  • Execute power-on tests, system boot sequences and integrated system checks after maintenance actions to validate electrical system operation and confirm no adverse impacts to avionics, flight controls or aircraft network buses (ARINC 429/629, CAN, Ethernet).
  • Interpret wiring diagrams, harness drawings, schematics, circuit breaker layouts, maintenance manuals (MRs), illustrated parts catalogs (IPCs) and service bulletins to plan and complete electrical work accurately.
  • Implement corrective actions for avionics and electrical discrepancies found during pre-flight, daily, A-check, C-check and heavy maintenance inspections; document repairs in the aircraft maintenance log, electronic maintenance tracking systems (AMOS, CAMP, Trax).
  • Perform soldering, connectorization, and BITE/FADEC interface work to service engine and APU electrical control connections in accordance with soldering certification and manufacturer workmanship standards.
  • Replace and test power distribution components including circuit breakers, contactors, relays, busbars and fuses; evaluate and repair PCB-level failures on avionics modules in coordination with bench-shop or vendor-level repair as necessary.
  • Complete avionic system upgrades and modifications such as ADS-B out installations, TCAS retrofits, SATCOM or Wi-Fi system installations ensuring proper wiring, bonding, shielding and documentation for STC or field approval compliance.
  • Carry out periodic ground power and battery checks, battery replacement, and charging system inspections; confirm emergency power and lighting circuits operate correctly during simulated power-loss scenarios.
  • Coordinate with flight crew, line operations and dispatch to prioritize electrical troubleshooting and return-to-service work while minimizing aircraft on-ground (AOG) time and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.
  • Manage and track avionic spare parts and consumables: order, inspect incoming parts, validate shelf-life sensitive components, and ensure replacement parts meet OEM part numbers and approved alternates.
  • Support fault trend analysis and reliability programs by collecting fault data, creating maintenance action recommendations and assisting engineers to implement corrective maintenance plans that reduce repeat electrical discrepancies.
  • Use borescope, thermal imaging and continuity testing to locate hidden wiring damage, chafing, corrosion or pinched harnesses behind panels and avionics bays, and implement corrective remediation.
  • Prepare and present technical paperwork for certification authorities or internal audits, including detailed discrepancy write-ups, test results, component traceability and sign-offs to meet Part 145/145.3/145.6 requirements.
  • Perform bond and continuity tests and ensure proper grounding of electrical assemblies to prevent EMI/EMC issues and ensure compliance with regulatory standards and aircraft EMI mitigation plans.
  • Follow lockout/tagout procedures, use personal protective equipment (PPE) and adhere to safe work practices when working on energized systems or when applying maintenance to high-voltage electrical assemblies.
  • Mentor junior technicians on best practices for wiring repairs, harness routing, connector maintenance, and documentation standards to raise team capability and reduce rework.
  • Participate in scheduled maintenance planning, provide estimates of man-hours for electrical jobs, and contribute to maintenance task cards and standard intervention updates to reflect learned troubleshooting steps and time-savings.
  • Liaise with component repair shops, OEM technical support and avionics vendors to coordinate complex repairs, obtain technical data, and escalate unresolved electrical issues through OEM troubleshooting paths.
  • Maintain clean, organized avionics and electrical workspaces; ensure tools are calibrated and inspected regularly, and comply with tool control policies for foreign object damage (FOD) prevention.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in aircraft system health monitoring and predictive maintenance initiatives by uploading fault logs and supporting the data collection process for avionics condition monitoring tools.
  • Support continuous improvement projects by participating in reliability reviews and recommending electrical design or maintenance process changes to reduce recurring defects.
  • Perform basic mechanical and airframe tasks as required for access to electrical components (panel removal, minor rigging) and coordinate with other Mx teams for integrated troubleshooting.
  • Provide input to training programs and help develop training aids for wiring harness repair, LRU replacement and avionics testing procedures.
  • Contribute to inventory audits and help maintain traceability of serialized avionics components and life-limited parts.
  • Support emergency response for AOG calls and rapid electrical troubleshooting during off-hours or irregular operations to return aircraft to service.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proven expertise in aircraft electrical troubleshooting: wiring harness diagnostics, connector repair, circuit isolation and power distribution system fault-finding.
  • Hands-on experience with avionics LRUs: FMS, radios, transponders, TCAS, weather radar, EFIS and associated interfaces and test procedures.
  • Proficient with electrical test equipment: digital multimeter, oscilloscope, insulation/continuity tester, time-domain reflectometer (TDR), loop and signal injectors.
  • Knowledge of aircraft data buses (ARINC 429/629, ARINC 664/Ethernet, CAN) and ability to interpret bus traffic and fault logs.
  • Soldering and crimping certification & experience with aerospace-grade connectors (D-Sub, MIL-spec), heat-shrink, sleeving and harness assembly techniques.
  • Ability to read and interpret wiring diagrams, schematics, IPC/WHMA standards, maintenance manuals, OEM wiring harness drawings and STC documentation.
  • Familiarity with regulatory frameworks and documentation practices: FAA Part 145, EASA Part-145, MEL/CDL, AD/SB compliance and maintenance release processes.
  • Experience with maintenance tracking software (AMOS, CAMP, Trax, Ramco) and electronic technical publications (e-Tech, OEM portals).
  • Competence in performing EMI/EMC mitigation, bonding, grounding and static discharge checks per OEM procedures.
  • Experience performing avionic system installations, upgrades and STC work including wiring integration, load analysis, and certification paperwork.
  • Ability to conduct functional tests, built-in-test equipment (BITE) analysis, and perform LRUs bench checkout and swap procedures.

Soft Skills

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a methodical approach to fault isolation and root cause analysis.
  • Clear, professional written and verbal communication for maintenance logs, technical reports and cross-team coordination.
  • High attention to detail and commitment to workmanship, safety, and regulatory compliance.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to handle AOG situations and scheduled maintenance windows.
  • Team player mentality with coaching ability to mentor junior technicians and collaborate with engineers and line operations.
  • Adaptability to evolving technologies in avionics and electrical systems and willingness to pursue continuous learning and certifications.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED plus aviation technical school certificate in avionics or aircraft electrical systems, or equivalent military avionics/electrical experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or higher in Avionics, Aerospace Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology or related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Avionics Technology
  • Electrical Engineering Technology
  • Aerospace Maintenance Technology
  • Electronics Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–7 years working on jet aircraft electrical and avionics systems (line and base maintenance combined).

Preferred:

  • FAA A&P certificate or EASA B1/B2 license preferred.
  • Prior experience with commercial narrowbody or business jet platforms (e.g., Boeing 737/A320 families, Gulfstream, Bombardier/Embraer).
  • Experience working in a Part 145 environment, familiarity with STC installation procedures and participation in service bulletin/AD compliance tasks.
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