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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Shop Manager

💰 $ - $

AviationMaintenanceManagementMRO

🎯 Role Definition

The Jet Shop Manager is the senior on-site leader responsible for the safe, timely, compliant and cost-effective operation of a jet engine and component maintenance shop within a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organization or airline. This role directs production schedules, quality and inspection programs, parts procurement, technician development, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring strict adherence to FAA/EASA regulations, company maintenance policies, and customer contractual requirements. Core accountabilities include shop throughput, reliability of repairs, workforce performance, financial targets, and customer satisfaction for engine and hot-section repairs, borescope inspections, accessory overhaul, and component exchanges.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior A&P Mechanic / Lead Technician (engines/components)
  • Maintenance Planner / Scheduler with engine shop experience
  • Quality Inspector / NDT Lead in MRO environment

Advancement To:

  • Fleet Maintenance Manager / Director of Maintenance
  • MRO General Manager / Head of Engine Services
  • VP of Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Manager (Aerospace)
  • Safety & Compliance Manager
  • Maintenance Planning Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead and manage all daily operations of the jet engine and component shop (dispatch, disassembly, inspection, repair, test and reassembly), ensuring jobs are completed on schedule, within budget and in full compliance with FAA/EASA regulations and company quality standards.
  • Develop, execute and optimize production plans and work scope prioritization for engine and accessory overhauls using ERP/CMMS tools to maximize throughput while minimizing turnaround time (TAT) and work-in-progress (WIP).
  • Ensure strict regulatory and safety compliance across the shop: maintain repair station manuals, control changes, audit readiness, and act as the local accountable manager for inspections and audits by FAA/EASA/other authorities.
  • Oversee the engine inspection and non-destructive testing (NDT) program (eddy current, ultrasonic, borescope inspections), ensuring certified NDT personnel, proper calibration of equipment, and accurate defect reporting and disposition.
  • Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary team of A&P mechanics, engine technicians, inspectors and apprentices; handle hiring, performance reviews, corrective actions, skills gap assessments and training plans to maintain certified, high-performing staff.
  • Serve as the primary technical escalation point for complex engine/component troubleshooting, root cause analysis and repair methodology decisions, coordinating with engineering and OEM technical support as needed.
  • Maintain and enforce quality control processes including first article inspections, torque/fastener control, tooling certification, calibration schedules, and adherence to overhaul and service bulletin procedures.
  • Administer the shop’s parts and consumables inventory strategy: forecast demand, manage kitting and storeroom processes, control rotables and exchanges, and liaise with procurement and vendors to ensure on-time part availability.
  • Build and manage the shop budget: labor utilization targets, overtime controls, consumables spend, subcontracting, capital tooling and equipment replacement planning.
  • Coordinate with aircraft operators, schedulers and planners to capture and confirm work scope changes, provide accurate estimates, and communicate realistic TAT and costs to customers.
  • Implement and lead continuous improvement programs (Lean, 5S, Kaizen) to reduce waste, improve flow and increase first-pass yield on engine repairs and component overhauls.
  • Authorize and sign off on maintenance release documentation, ensuring all acceptance criteria are met prior to return-to-service, and maintain complete traceability in maintenance records and logbooks.
  • Plan and manage shop capacity for peak demand periods, special inspections (ADs/SBs), engine removals, and heavy maintenance events while coordinating with neighboring shops or subcontractors to meet customer commitments.
  • Maintain calibration and tool control programs, manage special tooling inventory and ensure technicians have certified and compliant equipment to perform engine maintenance tasks safely and accurately.
  • Interface with OEMs for warranty, technical directives, service bulletins, and repair processes; manage claims and technical support cases to protect company and customer interests.
  • Conduct incident and non-conformance investigations, implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and close quality findings with documented evidence and verification.
  • Lead safety programs for the hangar: enforce PPE, hazardous materials handling, hot work permits, confined space procedures, and safety training to minimize workplace incidents and maintain a strong safety culture.
  • Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as TAT, on-time delivery, rework rates, cost per repair, first-time-right rates, and technician productivity; use KPI trends to drive managerial decisions.
  • Manage vendor relationships and subcontracted repairs: qualify vendors, negotiate service level agreements, monitor performance and ensure compliance with company quality and delivery requirements.
  • Prepare and present regular operational and financial reports to senior leadership and stakeholders, including workload forecasts, risk assessments and recovery plans for at-risk work packages.
  • Coordinate facility maintenance, environmental controls, hazardous waste disposal, and hangar logistics to ensure continuity of operations and compliance with environmental regulations.

Secondary Functions

  • Collaborate with maintenance planning, logistics and supply chain teams to implement better forecasting, parts obsolescence mitigation and exchange pool strategies.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives by participating in cross-functional Kaizen events, contributing shop-level insights to enterprise-level process redesigns.
  • Facilitate apprenticeships, technical school partnerships and workforce pipeline programs to attract and retain skilled aviation technicians.
  • Provide on-call technical and operational support for AOG scenarios and emergency engine removals, coordinating rapid response teams and spare engine exchanges.
  • Maintain documentation for insurance, audit and compliance purposes; assist corporate QA and regulatory affairs during internal and external audits.
  • Lead or participate in safety and ergonomics reviews to reduce injuries, improve tool ergonomics and enhance overall shop productivity.
  • Contribute to the shop’s digital transformation efforts by supporting CMMS/ERP system upgrades, data accuracy initiatives and predictive maintenance pilots.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • FAA A&P certification (or equivalent regulatory certification such as EASA Part-66) and strong background in jet engine maintenance, overhaul and testing procedures.
  • Deep knowledge of jet propulsion systems, accessory gearboxes, fuel systems, bleed air systems, and accessory overhauls commonly found on narrow- and wide-body engines.
  • Proven experience with non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques (borescope inspections, eddy current, ultrasonic) and ability to interpret inspection reports and damage assessments.
  • Familiarity with OEM engine manuals, service bulletins (SBs), airworthiness directives (ADs) and engineering documentation management.
  • Proficiency with maintenance planning and enterprise systems (e.g., AMOS, TRAX, Ramco, Oracle/NetSuite ERP, IFS, or similar CMMS/ERP platforms).
  • Strong experience in quality control processes, calibration management, tooling certification and production acceptance criteria.
  • Budget ownership and financial acumen: labor planning, cost control, variance analysis and CAPEX planning for shop equipment and tooling.
  • Experience with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen or Six Sigma methodologies applied to MRO shop operations.
  • Vendor management, supply chain coordination and parts procurement experience including rotables and exchange pool strategies.
  • Technical troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills, supported by structured problem-solving tools (8D, fishbone, FMEA).
  • Working knowledge of environmental, health & safety (EHS) requirements for hangar operations and hazardous materials management.

Soft Skills

  • Strong leadership and people management skills with a track record of building high-performing technical teams.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for clear interaction with customers, OEMs, regulators and cross-functional teams.
  • Customer-focused mindset with the ability to manage expectations, negotiate realistic TATs and drive service-level commitments.
  • Decisive problem-solver who can make timely operational decisions under pressure, especially during AOG events.
  • Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to balance competing demands and maintain operational discipline.
  • Coaching and mentorship abilities to develop technician career paths and succession plans.
  • Collaborative mindset to work effectively with planning, quality, procurement and engineering functions.
  • Attention to detail and commitment to documentation rigor and traceability in maintenance records.
  • Resilience and adaptability to changing schedules, regulatory updates and fluctuation in workload.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent, plus FAA A&P certification or equivalent regulatory license (required).

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
  • Continuing technical education or management certifications (Lean, Six Sigma, Leadership).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Aviation Maintenance Technology
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Industrial Management / Business Administration (beneficial for budget and supplier management)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 5–12 years of progressive experience in aircraft engine/component maintenance, with at least 2–4 years in a supervisory or lead role in an MRO, airline, or OEM environment.

Preferred:

  • 8+ years in jet engine shop operations including hands-on A&P experience, supervisory responsibility, familiarity with FAA/EASA compliance, and demonstrated success improving TAT, quality and cost metrics.

Keywords: jet shop manager, engine shop manager, aircraft maintenance manager, MRO manager, FAA A&P, engine overhaul, non-destructive testing, CMMS, ERP, quality control, safety compliance, hangar operations, vendor management, continuous improvement, Lean Kaizen.

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