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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Mechanic Supervisor

💰 $75,000 - $140,000

AviationAircraft MaintenanceSupervisoryAerospace EngineeringSafety & Compliance

🎯 Role Definition

The Jet Mechanic Supervisor leads and mentors a team of licensed mechanics and technicians to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient maintenance of jet aircraft. This role balances hands-on technical expertise (engines, avionics, structures, hydraulics) with managerial responsibilities such as scheduling, quality assurance, regulatory compliance (FAA/EASA), vendor coordination, and performance metrics. The supervisor is the primary point of contact between maintenance operations, flight operations, OEMs, and quality/audit teams, ensuring aircraft airworthiness, on-time dispatch, and continuous improvement of maintenance processes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Aircraft Maintenance Technician / Lead Mechanic
  • Licensed A&P Mechanic (Airframe & Powerplant) with line maintenance experience
  • Avionics Technician or Component Maintenance Lead

Advancement To:

  • Maintenance Manager / Base Maintenance Manager
  • Director of Maintenance (DOM)
  • Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Program Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Assurance (QA) Inspector / Quality Manager
  • Reliability & Maintenance Planning Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Supervise and coordinate the daily activities of jet aircraft maintenance teams (line, base, and shop) to ensure timely completion of scheduled inspections, unscheduled repairs, and AOG responses while maintaining regulatory compliance and safety standards.
  • Authorize and sign off maintenance tasks and release aircraft to service in accordance with FAA 14 CFR/ EASA Part-145 regulations (or applicable national aviation authority), company procedures, and OEM requirements; maintain accurate logbooks and electronic maintenance records.
  • Develop, maintain, and execute maintenance work packages, shift schedules, and labor allocations to optimize manpower utilization and meet operational dispatch needs.
  • Lead troubleshooting and complex fault isolation for turbofan/turbojet engines, ancillary power units (APUs), fuel, hydraulic, pneumatic, environmental control, and flight control systems; coordinate with OEM technical support for advanced repairs and service bulletins.
  • Oversee inspection programs (A-Checks, B-Checks, and component-level inspections), ensuring all airframe, engine, and avionics checks are completed to standard and documented properly.
  • Implement and enforce quality control processes, in-process inspections, non-destructive testing (NDT) oversight, root cause analysis, and corrective actions to reduce repeat discrepancies and improve aircraft reliability.
  • Manage parts, rotable components, consumables, and tooling inventory; coordinate parts procurement, exchanges, and warranty claims with vendors and OEMs to minimize AOG downtime and reduce inventory holding costs.
  • Conduct pre- and post-maintenance walkarounds and handovers with flight crews and operations to communicate status, outstanding items, and MEL/CDL implications for safe dispatch decisions.
  • Ensure calibration, control, and certification of maintenance tools, test equipment, and avionics test benches; maintain tooling records and compliance with tool control policies.
  • Supervise and coordinate heavy maintenance events (base checks, structural repairs, engine change-outs), including contractors and sub-tier vendors, ensuring work conforms to approved data and company safety procedures.
  • Manage and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as MTTR, dispatch reliability, on-time performance, labor efficiency, and maintenance cost per flight hour; prepare operational reports and present findings to senior leadership.
  • Maintain and distribute technical documentation (service bulletins, ADs, engineering orders, maintenance manuals) and ensure timely incorporation of airworthiness directives and mandatory modifications.
  • Develop and deliver technical training, upskilling programs, and competency assessments for technicians, ensuring currency of qualifications and fostering a safety-first culture.
  • Perform regular safety and compliance audits, internal inspections, and assess procedural compliance; drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce risk and improve process reliability.
  • Coordinate with flight operations, planning, and customer service to prioritize maintenance work, manage AOG responses, and provide accurate repair-time estimates to stakeholders.
  • Oversee the preparation and submission of maintenance records, logbook entries, and regulatory paperwork required for audits and aircraft transfers; maintain traceability of parts and repairs.
  • Evaluate and recommend hiring, performance reviews, disciplinary actions, and career development plans for maintenance staff to build a resilient and skilled team.
  • Lead incident investigations and technical reviews for in-service failures or non-conformances; prepare corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plans and track closure.
  • Ensure environmental, health, and safety (EHS) compliance in maintenance operations, including hazardous materials handling, waste disposal, hangar safety protocols, and PPE enforcement.
  • Liaise with OEM field service representatives and engineering to obtain maintenance advisories, repair schemes, and approval for major repairs or non-standard repairs.
  • Manage subcontractor work scopes, monitor contractor performance, and verify compliance with company and regulatory requirements during outsourced maintenance tasks.
  • Maintain and improve computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) such as CAMP, AMOS, TRAX, Ramco, or equivalent, ensuring accurate data entry, task scheduling, and historical maintenance tracking.
  • Prepare and manage maintenance budgets, forecast labor and parts expenditure, control overtime, and identify opportunities for cost savings without compromising safety or regulatory compliance.
  • Coordinate engine run-ups, ground tests, and functional checks after maintenance or modifications, ensuring test procedures are followed and results are documented for sign-off.

Secondary Functions

  • Support continuous improvement projects such as lean maintenance, 5S hangar organization, and reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) initiatives.
  • Mentor junior technicians and apprentices through structured on-the-job training and formal mentorship programs.
  • Participate in emergency response and contingency planning activities related to maintenance disruptions, severe weather, or operational incidents.
  • Provide technical input to fleet transition or aircraft induction projects, including introduction of new engine types, avionics upgrades, or cabin retrofits.
  • Contribute to cross-functional initiatives with procurement, planning, quality assurance, and flight operations to streamline maintenance workflows and reduce turnaround times.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • FAA A&P certificate or EASA Part-66 (B1/B2) license — required for sign-off and supervisory accountability.
  • Deep knowledge of jet aircraft systems: turbofan/turbojet engines, APUs, fuel, hydraulic, pneumatic, environmental control, flight controls, landing gear, and structures.
  • Hands-on experience with avionics systems, wiring and schematic interpretation, LRUs/FRU removal and replacement, and databus troubleshooting (ARINC, CAN, etc.).
  • Familiarity with maintenance tracking systems and CMMS platforms (AMDB, CAMP, AMOS, TRAX, Ramco) for scheduling, recording, and reporting maintenance events.
  • Strong proficiency interpreting OEM maintenance manuals, structural repair manuals (SRM), wiring diagrams, maintenance planning documents, and engineering orders.
  • Experience performing inspections and NDT techniques (eddy current, dye penetrant, ultrasonic) or coordinating with NDT specialists.
  • Proven troubleshooting skills with test equipment and bench-level diagnosis of avionics, engine components, and aircraft systems.
  • Knowledge of aviation safety management systems (SMS), MEL/CDL procedures, and regulatory compliance including AD/SB implementation.
  • Tool control and calibration program management; proficiency with torque tools, borescopes, and specialized engine/avionics test gear.
  • Experience managing heavy maintenance events, engine removals/installs, and coordination with OEM overhaul facilities.
  • Budgeting, labor forecasting, and spare parts inventory management expertise.

Soft Skills

  • Strong leadership and people-management skills with experience coaching, mentoring, and developing technicians and leads.
  • Exceptional communication skills — able to liaise with pilots, operations, vendors, and regulatory inspectors clearly and professionally.
  • High attention to detail and commitment to quality and documentation integrity.
  • Excellent problem-solving and decision-making under pressure, especially during AOG and turnaround situations.
  • Time management and prioritization to balance reactive and planned maintenance work.
  • Customer-service orientation and ability to manage stakeholder expectations.
  • Conflict resolution and negotiation skills to handle staffing, vendor, and cross-departmental issues.
  • Adaptability and continuous-learning mindset to stay current with evolving aircraft technologies.
  • Analytical skills to monitor KPIs and drive performance improvements.
  • Ethical conduct, accountability, and commitment to safety culture.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED with technical coursework (Aviation Maintenance/Technical trade school).

Preferred Education:

  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
  • Additional leadership or management coursework/certification (e.g., supervisory courses, Lean/CI certifications).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Aviation Maintenance Technology
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Avionics / Electrical Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5–12+ years of aircraft maintenance experience, with at least 2–4 years in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Preferred:

  • 7+ years working on jet/turbofan aircraft (regional, narrowbody, or widebody) in a Part 145, airline, or MRO environment.
  • Active FAA A&P or EASA Part-66 license with documented experience signing off maintenance work.
  • Proven track record of managing teams, coordinating heavy maintenance events, and delivering high dispatch reliability.
  • Familiarity with industry-standard CMMS platforms, SRM/OEM documentation workflows, and regulatory audit processes.
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