Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Repair Technician

🎯 Role Definition

A Jet Repair Technician performs hands-on maintenance, inspection, troubleshooting, and repair of turbine-powered aircraft and their components in line with manufacturer manuals, regulatory requirements, and company procedures. This role includes structural repairs (sheet metal and composites), propulsion system maintenance, system troubleshooting (hydraulics, fuel, landing gear), non‑destructive inspections (NDI/NDT), removal/installation of engines and components, and accurate documentation in maintenance tracking systems. Jet Repair Technicians work in MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) shops, airline line stations, and OEM service centers, collaborating with inspectors, engineers, parts teams, and operations to safely return aircraft to service.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

A&P Mechanic / Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) trainee
Line Maintenance Technician or Aircraft Mechanic helper
Avionics or Sheet Metal Technician transitioning to airframe/powerplant roles

Advancement To:

Lead Jet Repair Technician / Senior Technician
Maintenance Supervisor or Shift Lead
Quality/Inspection (IA) or Airworthiness Inspector
MRO Program Manager or Reliability Engineer

Lateral Moves:

Avionics Technician
Structural Repair (composites/sheet metal) Specialist
Tooling and Calibration Technician
Parts & Logistics Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform comprehensive structural repairs to jet airframes by interpreting Structural Repair Manuals (SRM), Service Bulletins (SB), and engineering data to restore airworthiness while maintaining OEM and regulatory standards.
Remove, install, inspect, and test turbine engines and auxiliary power units (APUs) including engine changeover, rigging, alignment, and performance verification per engine manufacturer procedures and company policies.
Execute detailed troubleshooting and fault isolation for aircraft systems (hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel, environmental control, flight controls, landing gear) using schematics, wiring diagrams, and diagnostic test equipment to determine root cause and corrective action.
Conduct and document borescope inspections, eddy current, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, and dye-penetrant inspections as required, preparing findings for engineering disposition or repair authorization.
Perform composite repairs (sandwich, bonded, patching) and advanced sheet metal work (scarfing, doubler installation, riveting) to OEM tolerances including sealing, corrosion treatment, and protective coatings application.
Remove and replace structural components and fittings, accurately measure and torque fasteners to specified values, and use precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, torque wrenches) to ensure adherence to specifications.
Interpret Airplane Maintenance Manuals (AMM), Illustrated Parts Catalogs (IPC), Wiring Diagrams (WDM), and Structural Repair Manuals to develop and execute repair plans and produce regulatory-compliant logbook entries.
Perform routine and scheduled maintenance tasks such as C, D, hourly checks and depot-level repairs; complete maintenance tasks within standard labor times and coordinate deferred defects per MEL/CDL guidance.
Use computerized maintenance tracking systems (CMMS/ERP) such as AMOS, TRAX, CAMP, Lufthansa Technik systems, or similar to log work performed, track parts usage, and close job cards with accurate labor and materials reporting.
Adhere to company and regulatory safety programs, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, and lockout/tagout procedures while participating in safety briefings and risk assessments for complex repairs.
Coordinate with Purchasing and Parts teams to requisition, trace and verify conformity of parts, hardware, and consumables; verify shelf life, batch numbers and traceability for rotables and life-limited parts.
Liaise with engineering, quality assurance and FAA/EASA representatives to obtain repair approval, serviceable parts disposition, or engineering authorizations for non-standard repairs or major structural work.
Perform engine ground runs, operational checks, taxi tests, and functional system tests after maintenance actions and document all test results and clearances required to release the aircraft to service.
Conduct corrosion inspections and corrosion removal/treatment processes, apply primers and sealants in accordance with corrosion control plans and document repair history for tracking and warranty support.
Mentor and train less-experienced technicians, conduct on-the-job training sessions, and contribute to skills matrices and competence assessments to build a safe and skilled maintenance workforce.
Maintain and calibrate special tools and test equipment, ensure tool control and calibration records are current, and report any defective or out-of-tolerance tooling to supervisors for corrective action.
Support overnight and on-call line maintenance activities including AOG responses, troubleshooting on-site, and efficient turnarounds to minimize operational disruptions for airline or charter customers.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, lean events, and root cause failure analysis teams to improve turn times, reduce repeat defects, and increase maintenance reliability.
Prepare technical reports, deviation requests, and repair packages for certification by an authorized inspector; complete and sign maintenance records, logbooks, and Form 8130/CAA equivalents as required by the licensing authority.
Diagnose and repair environmental control systems (air conditioning, pressurization), pneumatic systems, and ice/detection/de-icing equipment to ensure passenger comfort and regulatory compliance.
Execute electrical system troubleshooting including circuit breakers, relays, bus tie issues and coordinate with avionics personnel when faults cross disciplines to expedite root cause resolution.
Safely handle and install life-limited components and comply with applicable MEL/AD (Airworthiness Directives) requirements, documenting usage and cycle counts as part of ongoing airworthiness management.
Support shop workflow by estimating labor hours, sequencing tasks for multi‑discipline repairs, and communicating status updates to production control and customer representatives to meet service level agreements.

Secondary Functions

Assist maintenance planners and production control by providing task-duration estimates, resource requirements, and technical input for complex repair planning and scheduling.
Support parts and logistics teams in vendor sourcing for hard-to-find components, coordinating shipments and proof-of-conformity documentation for imported spares.
Participate in quality audits and regulatory inspections, providing records and evidence for compliance and contributing to corrective action plans when non-conformances are identified.
Help maintain a clean, organized workspace and participate in 5S/lean housekeeping initiatives to improve safety and efficiency across the shop floor.
Provide ad-hoc technical support to flight operations and customer service teams during AOG events, including technical briefings and post-repair documentation handover.
Contribute to the organization's continuous improvement program by submitting repair process enhancements, time-savings suggestions, and lessons-learned reports after complex repairs.
Coordinate with subcontractors and specialty shops for outsourcing of composite laminates, NDT services, plating, or heat-treat processes and ensure return of serviceable parts with complete paperwork.
Assist in developing and updating internal maintenance procedures, checklists, and safe work instructions based on manufacturer updates and regulatory changes.
Participate in workforce development by supporting apprenticeship programs, hands-on clinics, and vendor-sponsored technical training events to increase shop capabilities.
Support fleet reliability programs by reporting recurring defects, participating in trend analysis meetings, and suggesting preventative maintenance changes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification or equivalent civil aviation authority license (EASA Part-66 B1/B2) — required in most roles.
Proven experience with turbine engine maintenance (removal/installation, borescope, accessory drives, fuel nozzles, combustor inspection).
Structural repair expertise: sheet metal fabrication, riveting, composite patching, doubler repair, structural bonding and repair per SRM.
Non‑Destructive Testing skills: dye penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasonic and eddy current inspection techniques and interpretation.
Ability to read and apply Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMM), Structural Repair Manuals (SRM), Wiring Diagrams, IPC, and service bulletins.
Proficient use of maintenance tracking systems/CMMS (e.g., AMOS, TRAX, CAMP, Ramco) for job cards, logbook entries, and parts tracking.
Hydraulic and pneumatic systems troubleshooting and repair, including pumps, actuators, valves and leak identification.
Electrical systems and basic avionics interface troubleshooting, relay/fuse replacement, and circuit continuity testing.
Torqueing, fastener installation, jacking and rigging procedures to precise tolerances using calibrated tools and fixtures.
Experience performing corrosion control, surface treatment, sealing and application of primers and coatings to OEM standards.
Engine run/test cell experience or ground run procedures and post‑maintenance functional checks.
Knowledge of life-limited parts management, AD/MEL compliance, and proper tagging/traceability of rotable components.
Proficiency in borescope inspection and interpretation, including documentation and reporting of findings.
Welding and metal repair skills (TIG, MIG, or resistance welding) where applicable and in accordance with authorized repair procedures.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety in every maintenance action.
Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis capabilities for complex aircraft system failures.
Clear written and verbal communication skills for accurate maintenance records and cross-functional coordination.
Teamwork and collaboration with inspectors, engineers, operations and suppliers to meet repair deadlines.
Time management and ability to prioritize tasks in high-pressure AOG or short-turn situations.
Professional integrity and accountability when completing regulatory paperwork and signing off work.
Adaptability to changing regulatory requirements, technology updates, and diverse aircraft platforms.
Customer-focused mindset when interacting with airline, charter, or private aircraft owners and maintaining service standards.
Initiative to mentor junior technicians, contribute to training, and improve shop processes.
Resilience for shift work, overtime and on-call rotations common in MRO and line maintenance environments.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED; vocational/technical school completion in aviation maintenance preferred.

Preferred Education:

FAA A&P certificate or EASA Part-66 license.
Associate's degree or diploma in Aviation Maintenance Technology or Aerospace Maintenance.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aerospace Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2 to 10+ years in aircraft maintenance, with a minimum of 2 years on turbine-powered jets commonly requested; senior roles typically require 5+ years.

Preferred:

3–7 years of specific experience on corporate/business jets (Gulfstream, Bombardier, Embraer, Dassault), regional jets, or narrowbody/airline platforms (Boeing/airbus) depending on employer.
Prior MRO, OEM, airline, or military aircraft maintenance experience with documented maintenance records and regulatory compliance.
Experience with maintenance planning, troubleshooting complex system interactions, and handling life-limited components and AD compliance.