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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Mechanic Assistant

💰 $ - $

Aviation MaintenanceAircraft MaintenanceMechanical

🎯 Role Definition

The Jet Mechanic Assistant supports licensed aircraft mechanics and maintenance crews in the inspection, maintenance, repair, and preparation of commercial and business jet aircraft. This role performs hands-on technical tasks under supervision, documents work in maintenance tracking systems, assists with engine and component troubleshooting, and ensures strict compliance with FAA, EASA or company maintenance standards and safety procedures. Ideal for early-career aviation professionals, military veterans transitioning to civil maintenance, or technicians working toward an A&P license.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Aviation Maintenance Technician Trainee / Apprentice
  • Military Aircraft Mechanic (Airframe/Powerplant roles)
  • General Mechanical Technician with experience in hydraulics or engines

Advancement To:

  • Licensed A&P Jet Mechanic / Certifying Mechanic
  • Lead Line Mechanic or Heavy Maintenance Technician
  • Maintenance Planner or Quality Control Inspector
  • Maintenance Supervisor / Shop Foreman

Lateral Moves:

  • Avionics Technician
  • Structures (Sheet Metal) Technician
  • Component Repair Technician (APU, wheels/brakes)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assist senior mechanics with scheduled and unscheduled inspections, performing detailed pre-flight, transit, and post-maintenance checks and recording discrepancies in the aircraft logbook and the maintenance tracking system.
  • Perform visual and functional inspections of airframe structural components, access panels, fasteners, and exterior surfaces to identify corrosion, cracks, loose hardware, and other structural anomalies and report findings to the lead mechanic.
  • Support engine removal, installation, and change-out activities by preparing jack points, hoisting equipment, engine mounts, and documenting torque values, clearances, and serial numbers as directed by the mechanic in charge.
  • Conduct borescope inspections and assist with engine borescope upload/download procedures, ensuring correct image capture, labeling, and transfer to maintenance records for review by licensed technicians.
  • Carry out routine line maintenance tasks including fluid servicing (oil, hydraulic fluid), tire and brake inspections, wheel changes, and panel removal/replacement while following torque and safety procedures.
  • Troubleshoot basic avionic and electrical faults under supervision by using multimeters, test benches and aircraft ground power, tracing wiring, and referring to wiring diagrams and schematics to aid diagnosis.
  • Assist in functional checks and testing of aircraft systems (hydraulics, pneumatics, environmental control, fuel systems, flight controls) and prepare detailed discrepancy reports for corrective action.
  • Remove, install, and service aircraft components such as pumps, actuators, valves, filters, and sensors; perform basic bench testing and prepare components for overhaul or dispatch to third-party repair stations.
  • Support non-destructive testing (NDT) preparations by cleaning and prepping inspection areas, performing dye-penetrant checks under supervision, and ensuring inspection results are documented per procedure.
  • Prepare aircraft for maintenance events including tow/pushback coordination, chocks and safety pin installation, bleed air and fuel isolation, and grounding for electrostatic protection.
  • Maintain tooling and equipment: calibrate, inspect, and issue hand and power tools, manage tool control procedures, and ensure all special tools are available and logged for scheduled tasks.
  • Assist with cabin maintenance tasks such as seating removal/reinstallation, interior repairs, cabin finishing work, and ensuring emergency equipment is inspected and secured per regulations.
  • Support corrosion control programs by cleaning, treating, and applying protective coatings to affected areas per manufacturer and company procedures.
  • Accurately complete and sign off maintenance forms and digital entries (work orders, discrepancy tags, and compliance items) under the direction of a certifying mechanic, ensuring traceability of labor and parts.
  • Inventory parts and materials, request components via the parts management system, verify part numbers and shelf-life, and assist with kitting for scheduled maintenance checks.
  • Participate in engine run-ups and ground tests by preparing safety zones, communicating with flight crew and engine runs coordinator, monitoring parameters and documenting any abnormal indications.
  • Aid in weight-and-balance checks and small structural rigging jobs under supervision, measuring control surface deflections and adjusting linkages as required by AMM (Aircraft Maintenance Manual).
  • Follow and enforce safety programs, lockout/tagout procedures, confined-space entries (where applicable), and hazardous materials handling during all maintenance activities.
  • Learn and reference OEM technical data (AMM, IPC, SRM) to assist in job scoping, parts identification, and correct procedural execution; escalate ambiguous or critical items to certified personnel.
  • Assist with the preparation and execution of A-check and B-check tasks, including system line checks, filter replacements, and scheduled serviceability inspections.
  • Support troubleshooting and corrective action activities for landing gear systems—help disassemble/reassemble gear components, inspect bearings and seals, and assist with hydraulic leak detection.
  • Participate in on-the-job training and certification programs, documenting competency progress and maintaining personal training records specific to aircraft types and special tasks.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe hangar/workshop environment; perform routine housekeeping tasks and waste disposal according to environmental and company policies.
  • Support the documentation and archiving of maintenance records, service bulletins, AD (Airworthiness Directive) compliance records and SB (Service Bulletin) implementation paperwork.
  • Assist maintenance planners and schedulers by providing task duration feedback, parts usage estimates, and sign-off support to improve turnaround times.
  • Provide line support during irregular operations (IROPS), quick-turn inspections, and overnight maintenance to minimize aircraft downtime and maintain on-time performance.
  • Help coordinate with vendors and repair stations for component exchanges, shops visits, and technical clarifications, ensuring parts are routed and tracked correctly.
  • Support inventory audits and help reconcile stock discrepancies, including tagging, storing, and retrieving parts from secure parts rooms.
  • Assist in basic avionics software updates and line replacement unit (LRU) swaps under direct supervision and in accordance with company procedures.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by offering feedback regarding recurring discrepancies, tool needs, and workflow bottlenecks.
  • Shadow certifying mechanics to gain exposure to certification processes and help prepare evidence and paperwork for release-to-service activities.
  • Act as a safety ambassador during shifts by identifying hazards, suggesting mitigations, and ensuring passive safety items (safety pins, locks, placards) are available.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Basic knowledge of aircraft airframe and powerplant (A&P) systems with hands-on experience in line maintenance tasks and component handling.
  • Ability to read and interpret Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMM), Illustrated Parts Catalogs (IPC), wiring diagrams, schematics, and structural repair manuals (SRM).
  • Practical experience with aircraft hydraulic, pneumatic, and fuel systems including leak tracing, pressure checks, and servicing procedures.
  • Familiarity with engine maintenance support tasks: borescope inspections, engine run preparation, data capture, and basic troubleshooting of gas turbine anomalies.
  • Competence in using standard aviation tools and test equipment (torque wrenches, multimeters, borescope, pressure gauges, portable test sets).
  • Experience with maintenance tracking and logbook systems (e.g., CAMP, AMOS, TRAX, Ramco) for logging tasks, tracking compliance and parts management.
  • Knowledge of basic NDT prep techniques (dye penetrant, visual inspection support) and corrosion treatment procedures.
  • Understanding of fastener, rivet and composite repair basics; able to perform panel removal and replacement per torque and sealant specifications.
  • Ability to perform wheel/tire/brake servicing and basic landing gear support tasks including jacking and chocking procedures.
  • Familiarity with FAA/EASA/CAA regulatory requirements, airworthiness directives (AD) compliance, and basic human factors in maintenance.
  • Experience handling hazardous materials and fuels, including MSDS awareness, spill containment and fuel sampling procedures.
  • Competence in component preservation, packing, and shipping documentation for rotables and shop visits.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and meticulous documentation habits to ensure compliance and traceability of aircraft maintenance work.
  • Clear verbal and written communication skills for effective coordination with certifying mechanics, pilots, planners and vendors.
  • Team-oriented mindset with ability to follow direction from senior mechanics and contribute to a collaborative maintenance environment.
  • High level of personal accountability, safety consciousness, and adherence to standard operating procedures.
  • Good problem-solving aptitude and the ability to escalate complex issues appropriately to licensed technicians.
  • Adaptability and calm under pressure—able to support quick-turn maintenance during irregular operations.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to handle multiple tasks and shifting work orders during a maintenance shift.
  • Physical stamina, manual dexterity, and comfort working at heights, in confined spaces, and outdoors in varying conditions.
  • Commitment to continuous learning and professional development, including participation in training and certification programs.
  • Customer-service focus when interacting with flight crews, vendors, and internal stakeholders to support on-time departures.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED with coursework in math, physics, or industrial arts.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or certificate in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aircraft Maintenance, or related technical field.
  • FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate or progress toward A&P licensure; EASA Part-66 module experience a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Aviation Maintenance Technology
  • Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering Technician programs
  • Avionics Technology
  • Welding / Sheet Metal Technology (for structures familiarity)
  • Diesel/Powerplant or Industrial Maintenance (relevant systems knowledge)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–3 years in aircraft maintenance support roles, military aircraft technician experience, or completion of an AMT program.

Preferred:

  • 1–2 years of direct aircraft line maintenance experience or documented apprenticeship with exposure to business or commercial jets; experience with specific jet types (e.g., Gulfstream, Bombardier, Embraer, Cessna Citation) is advantageous.
  • Demonstrated familiarity with digital maintenance tracking systems and basic troubleshooting of hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems.
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