Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Power Technician

🎯 Role Definition

A Jet Power Technician (also known as Aircraft Powerplant Technician or Jet Engine Technician) is responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, removal/installation, testing, troubleshooting and documentation of aircraft jet engines, auxiliary power units (APUs) and associated power and fuel systems. This role requires hands-on mechanical and electrical skill, detailed knowledge of manufacturer technical publications and aviation regulatory requirements (FAA/EASA), and experience with engine test cells, borescope inspection techniques, and maintenance tracking systems such as AMOS, TRAX or CAMS. Jet Power Technicians play a critical role in ensuring aircraft propulsion reliability, safety, on-time dispatch, and regulatory compliance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Aircraft Maintenance Technician (A&P) with initial powerplant experience
Engine shop apprentice or aviation maintenance trainee
Line maintenance technician specializing in propulsion and APU work

Advancement To:

Senior Jet Power/Powerplant Technician
Engine Shop Lead / Engine Cell Supervisor
Quality Control Engineer (Powerplant)
Powerplant Instructor or Technical Representative (OEM)

Lateral Moves:

Avionics Technician with cross-training
Structures or Systems Technician with broader airframe experience
Reliability Engineer (flight operations support)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, inspection, overhaul, and repair of turbofan/turbojet engines and APUs in accordance with OEM manuals, manufacturer service bulletins, and FAA/EASA-approved procedures, ensuring all work meets regulatory airworthiness standards.
Execute safe and efficient engine removal and installation (R&I) during base maintenance events and engine changes on the ramp, coordinating with airframe teams, weight and balance, and ground support equipment to minimize aircraft downtime.
Conduct detailed borescope inspections of engine hot section components (combustor, turbine stages, inlet, and blade roots), document findings in technical logs, and recommend corrective actions such as part replacement or repairs.
Run engine ground starts and engine run-ups in engine test cells or on-wing, monitor pressures, temperatures, vibration and performance parameters, interpret engine performance charts, and perform necessary adjustments including fuel control calibration.
Troubleshoot complex engine anomalies using diagnostic tools, engine health monitoring data, vibration analysis, and fault isolation techniques to determine root cause and implement effective corrective maintenance.
Perform non-destructive testing (NDT) tasks such as magnaflux, ultrasonic, eddy current, and dye penetrant inspections as required by procedure, and prepare findings for repair planning or life-limited part disposition.
Inspect, maintain and repair auxiliary power units (APUs) including fuel, electrical, lubrication, and pneumatic systems; perform APU start and run checks; and apply manufacturer test procedures for troubleshooting and overhaul.
Repair or replace engine accessories and components including fuel pumps, fuel control units, oil pumps, IDGs, gearboxes, bleed air valves and sensors, ensuring correct installation torques, clearances and alignment per technical data.
Interpret and apply maintenance planning documents, airworthiness directives, service bulletins, and life-limited part schedules to plan engine maintenance tasks and lifecycle replacements.
Maintain precise and compliant technical records and logs (digital and paper), create maintenance release entries, update aircraft logbooks and engine history cards, and ensure traceability of parts, serial numbers, and certification stamps.
Utilize engine health monitoring systems and trend data to identify performance degradations and schedule proactive maintenance or overhaul actions to reduce in-service failures and optimize time-on-wing.
Source, requisition and verify parts and consumables for powerplant work packages; liaise with supply chain, stores, and vendors to ensure timely availability of certified components and rotable assets.
Perform shop-level repairs and overhaul tasks including disassembly, cleaning, inspection, reassembly, machining liaison, and bench testing of components following OEM overhaul manuals and acceptance standards.
Calibrate and verify ground support equipment (GSE), test instrumentation, and torque tools used for engine maintenance; maintain calibration records and report any out-of-tolerance equipment immediately.
Lead or participate in engine change events, coordinating multi-discipline teams, sequencing tasks, safety briefings, and tool control to meet tight aircraft turn times and dispatch requirements.
Mentor, coach and provide on-the-job training to junior technicians and apprentices on powerplant procedures, safety practices, correct use of technical publications, and company maintenance standards.
Support shop continuous improvement initiatives by reporting recurring defects, proposing repair process improvements, and participating in root cause and corrective action (RCCA) meetings.
Ensure strict compliance with the company's Safety Management System (SMS), environmental and hazardous material handling procedures when working with fuels, oils, solvents and other chemicals.
Verify and perform engine borescope and component documentation for lease return inspections, third-party audits, and pre/post-flight maintenance reports, ensuring data integrity for shop and operator records.
Liaise with OEM technical representatives and engineering for complex repairs, modifications, engine trends evaluation, and to obtain technical authorizations or deviation approvals when required.
Perform final functional checks and acceptance tests following maintenance or overhaul activities, validate that engines meet stated performance parameters, and sign for work in accordance with licensure and company policy.

Secondary Functions

Assist in development and review of maintenance work packages, tooling lists, and step-by-step task cards for complex engine maintenance events.
Participate in safety briefings, toolbox talks, and continuous training sessions on new engine types, updated maintenance procedures, and regulatory changes.
Support scheduled engine health monitoring programs, including data uploads and trend reporting to maintenance control and reliability teams.
Contribute to housekeeping, tool control, and lean 5S activities in the engine shop to improve safety and efficiency.
Provide on-call support for AOG events and emergency engine troubleshooting, including after-hours coordination with parts and logistics teams.
Collect and forward warranty or concession claim information to the warranty and procurement teams to secure OEM support or part credits.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate or EASA Part-66 Category B2/B1.1 (Powerplant-qualified) — or equivalent national certification.
Proven experience with turbofan/turbojet engine inspection, repair, overhaul and test cell operations (e.g., GE, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, CFM engines).
Borescope inspection proficiency including interpretation of borescope imagery and creation of inspection reports.
Engine test cell operation and performance data interpretation, including understanding EGT, N1/N2, fuel flow, oil temp/pressure and vibration limits.
Troubleshooting skills for fuel systems, fuel control units, lubrication systems, bleed air and pneumatic systems associated with engines and APUs.
Knowledge and application of FAA/EASA airworthiness regulations, airworthiness directives (ADs), and service bulletin compliance.
Experience with maintenance tracking and technical records systems (AMOS, TRAX, CAMS, Ramco) and digital logbook entries.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) understanding or certification (magnetic particle, dye penetrant, ultrasonic, eddy current).
Ability to read and interpret OEM maintenance manuals, Illustrated Parts Catalogs (IPC), and wiring diagrams.
Proficiency in shop tooling and torqueing procedures, use of precision measuring instruments (calipers, micrometers), and maintaining tool control and calibration.
Component teardown and bench testing skills, including bench calibration and subassembly testing of accessories and fuel controls.
Competence in handling hazardous materials, fuel/oil contamination control, and disposal procedures with respect to environmental regulations.
Familiarity with vibration analysis tools and engine health monitoring systems for trend-based maintenance decision-making.
Basic electrical knowledge relevant to engine accessory drives, sensors, starters and IDG systems.

Soft Skills

Strong analytical troubleshooting mindset with attention to detail and ability to interpret technical data and make sound maintenance decisions.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for clear maintenance reports, handovers, and interaction with engineering and operations teams.
Team player with collaborative approach; able to lead small teams during engine change events and mentor junior technicians.
Time management and organizational skills to prioritize workload under AOG pressure and meet aircraft dispatch timelines.
Safety-first attitude with commitment to following SMS and safety protocols; ability to identify hazards and propose mitigations.
Adaptability to work shifts, overtime and on-call rotations when required for AOG support or test cell schedules.
Customer-focused orientation when interacting with flight crews, OEM representatives and external auditors.
Problem-solver with continuous improvement mindset, comfortable participating in RCA and process optimization initiatives.
Professional integrity and accountability to ensure accurate recordkeeping and regulatory compliance.
Resilience and physical stamina to perform demanding hands-on tasks in engine shops, hangars and on the ramp.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with completed aviation maintenance training program and A&P license or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or diploma in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aerospace Engineering Technology, or related technical discipline.
Manufacturer-specific engine training certificates (e.g., GE, PW, Rolls-Royce, CFM) and engine test cell operator certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology
Industrial Trades with emphasis on precision tooling and inspection

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–8+ years of progressive experience in aircraft engine maintenance, with at least 2 years focused on jet engine/APU work.

Preferred:

5+ years working on turbofan/turbojet engines in line and base maintenance or engine shop environments.
Demonstrated engine overhaul or test cell operations experience, plus documented OEM training and NDT capability.