Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Engine Inspector

🎯 Role Definition

A Jet Engine Inspector is responsible for performing detailed inspections, non‑destructive testing (NDT), dimensional checks and conformity assessments of commercial and military turbine engines and their components. This role enforces regulatory requirements (FAA/EASA), MRO shop procedures (AS9100), and OEM service bulletins while producing accurate inspection reports and dispositioning life‑limited parts. The Jet Engine Inspector works closely with engine mechanics, quality engineers, NDT technicians and field service teams to ensure airworthiness, safety, and compliance throughout repair, overhaul, and inspection processes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Aviation Maintenance Technician (A&P / Part‑66)
NDT Technician Level I or II
Aerospace Quality Inspector / Mechanical Assembler

Advancement To:

Lead Jet Engine Inspector / Senior Inspector
Engine Shop Supervisor / MRO Team Lead
NDT Supervisor or Quality Manager
Reliability Engineer or Component Engineering Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Field Service Engineer (engine run and troubleshooting)
Maintenance Planner / Production Controller
Component Repair Specialist (turbine blades, combustor panels)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform borescope inspections of compressor, combustor, turbine sections and accessory gearboxes, identifying cracks, foreign object damage (FOD), burn, erosion and corrosion in accordance with OEM and MRO inspection criteria.
Execute non‑destructive testing (NDT) techniques — Eddy Current, Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Magnetic Particle (MPI), Dye Penetrant (DP), and radiography where required — to detect subsurface and surface defects on blades, disks, cases and shafts.
Inspect and verify life‑limited parts (LLPs) and time‑in‑service records, ensuring accurate tracking of cycles, hours and part status in maintenance records and CMMS.
Disassemble and reassemble engine modules for inspection as directed, following engine teardown/assembly procedures, torque requirements and safety controls.
Use precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, dial indicators, bore gauges) to perform dimensional inspections, tolerance checks and runout measurements to OEM specification.
Interpret engineering drawings, service bulletins, illustrated parts catalogs (IPC), maintenance manuals (AMM), and overhaul manuals (OHM) to determine inspection criteria and acceptance limits.
Document detailed inspection findings with photographs, borescope imagery, annotated diagrams and written defect descriptions to generate formal inspection reports and findings packages.
Disposition parts as: serviceable, repairable, scrap or quarantine, coordinating with component repair stations, engineering and procurement for corrective action.
Verify conformance to regulatory requirements (FAA, EASA Part‑145/Part‑66) and internal quality systems (AS9100/ISO9001) during each inspection and audit activity.
Perform bench checks and function tests for accessories and subsystems (fuel pumps, actuators, starters) and support engine ground runs and vibration monitoring when required.
Participate in root cause analysis for recurring defects and provide technical feedback to maintenance teams and OEM engineering for corrective action.
Apply corrosion control, surface treatment and repair techniques following OEM repair schemes and approved deviation processes.
Conduct final quality acceptance inspections after maintenance or repair, ensuring all discrepancies are resolved and logbooks/records are updated prior to release to service.
Verify calibration status of inspection tooling and gauges, report calibration lapses, and maintain traceability for inspection instruments.
Review incoming engine shipments and returned parts for damage and compliance with acceptance criteria and preservation/packaging standards.
Support overhaul planning by estimating inspection labor, identifying special tooling and NDT requirements, and coordinating scheduling with production control.
Maintain accurate, auditable inspection records in CMMS or ERP systems and prepare documentation required for export control, EASA Form‑1/FAA release or customer paperwork.
Train and mentor junior inspectors and apprentices on inspection techniques, NDT basics, safety and quality expectations.
Enforce shop safety, lockout/tagout, FOD prevention and hazardous materials handling procedures in the engine inspection area.
Collaborate with suppliers and repair vendors to review repair proposals and ensure finished work meets OEM tolerances and return‑to‑service standards.
Conduct field inspections and on‑wing borescope assessments at customer sites, providing fast turnaround disposition and recommendations for repair or removal.
Participate in internal and external audits, implement corrective actions from audit findings and support continuous improvement initiatives focused on inspection quality and throughput.

Secondary Functions

Support ad‑hoc technical requests from engineering, production and logistics regarding part condition and serviceability.
Assist in updating inspection checklists, acceptance criteria and standard work documents to reflect OEM updates and regulatory changes.
Contribute to failure analysis by preparing sample kits, evidence packages and providing detailed inspection notes to engineering and root cause teams.
Maintain inventory of inspection consumables and recommend procurement of specialized NDT supplies and tooling.
Participate in safety committees and continuous improvement projects aimed at reducing inspection cycle time and improving first‑pass yield.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Certified borescope inspection techniques for turbine engines, including cold and hot section imaging and interpretation.
Proficient in non‑destructive testing: Eddy Current (ECT), Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), Dye Penetrant Inspection (DPI) and basic radiography awareness.
Strong ability to read and interpret aerospace engineering drawings, tolerances, IPCs, AMMs, and OEM overhaul manuals.
Hands‑on experience with precision metrology tools: micrometers, vernier calipers, bore gauges, depth springs, dial indicators and CMM familiarity.
Knowledge of jet engine components: axial compressors, centrifugal compressors, combustor liners, high/low pressure turbines, disks, blades, shafts and casings.
Familiarity with life‑limited parts (LLP) tracking, time‑in‑service calculations and FAA/EASA release documentation (Form‑1, logbook entries).
Working knowledge of CMMS/ERP systems (e.g., AMOS, TRAX, Ramco, IFS) for inspection records and work order updates.
Understanding of MRO quality systems and standards: AS9100, ISO9001 and regulatory oversight (FAA/EASA Part‑145).
Ability to perform torqueing, preload checks, runout measurement and basic engine assembly/disassembly tasks to ensure inspection readiness.
Competence in capturing and editing inspection imagery, creating annotated photos and compiling technical inspection reports.
Familiarity with on‑wing and field inspection protocols, FOD prevention, hazardous materials handling and lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures.
Basic knowledge of engine performance diagnostics (vibration analysis, borescope condition trending) and engine run acceptance criteria.
Experience applying OEM repair schemes, engineering dispositions and service bulletins to defect assessment and repair planning.
Certification(s) or coursework in NDT (ASNT Level I/II preferred) and relevant safety certifications.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and a methodical approach to inspection and documentation.
Strong written and verbal communication skills for clear defect reporting and coordination with cross‑functional teams.
Analytical problem solving and root cause thinking when evaluating complex engine damage or repeat discrepancies.
Time management and ability to prioritize multiple inspections and customer commitments in a fast‑paced MRO environment.
Team player mindset and ability to mentor junior staff while working with mechanics, planners and engineering.
Customer‑facing professionalism for field inspections, technical briefings and post‑inspection recommendations.
Adaptability to changing OEM requirements, regulatory updates and process improvements.
High integrity and commitment to safety, quality and compliance under regulatory oversight.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED plus FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate, EASA Part‑66 Category B1/B2, or equivalent vocational training in aviation maintenance.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering Technology.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (preferred for senior or engineering liaison roles).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aeronautical/Aerospace Technology
Mechanical Engineering / Engineering Technology
Aviation Maintenance Technology
Non‑Destructive Testing / Materials Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–7 years of hands‑on inspection and maintenance experience with turbofan/turboprop engines in an MRO, OEM or airline maintenance environment.

Preferred:

5+ years inspecting turbine engines with demonstrable experience in borescope and multiple NDT methods.
ASNT Level II or equivalent NDT certifications, FAA A&P or EASA Part‑66, experience with AS9100 or equivalent quality systems.
Proven record of producing inspection reports, managing LLP tracking, and supporting regulatory releases to service.