Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Shop Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Jet Shop Technician is a skilled maintenance professional responsible for inspection, tear-down, repair, overhaul, testing, and reassembly of turbine jet engines and engine components in an MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) environment. This role requires hands-on experience with OEM engine manuals, FAA/EASA regulations, borescope inspection, test cell operation, NDT techniques, precision measuring tools, and quality documentation. The ideal candidate ensures engines meet airworthiness standards, optimizes turnaround time, and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives in the shop.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Aircraft Mechanic (A&P)
Engine Overhaul Apprentice / Entry-Level Jet Technician
Component Repair Technician

Advancement To:

Lead Jet Shop Technician / Senior Engine Mechanic
Engine Shop Supervisor / Test Cell Supervisor
Quality Assurance Manager / NDT Specialist
Field Service Engineer / Technical Representative

Lateral Moves:

Component Repair Technician (compressor/turbine sections)
Field Service / Line Maintenance Technician
Technical Publications / Materials & Logistics Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Disassemble and perform comprehensive teardown inspections of turbofan, turbojet, and turboprop engines following OEM maintenance manuals, work scopes and teardown inspection criteria to identify wear, corrosion, foreign object damage (FOD) and serviceability of parts.
Perform detailed borescope inspections of engine compressor, turbine and hot-section areas, document findings with annotated images/videos, and recommend corrective actions or component replacement per OEM service bulletins and ADs.
Conduct precision dimensional inspection of parts using micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, dial indicators and coordinate measuring tools to determine acceptability against OEM tolerances.
Perform rotor balancing, dynamic and static balancing procedures for spools and rotating assemblies in accordance with OEM and shop procedures to reduce vibration and ensure engine reliability.
Execute component repair tasks including vane/blade replacement, seal refurbishment, bearing replacement, gear inspection, and turbine shroud repairs using approved techniques and tooling.
Run engine test cell operations—hookup, engine start, steady-state runs, thrust checks and performance data logging—ensuring correct instrumentation, safety protocols, and immediate troubleshooting of anomalies.
Troubleshoot engine mechanical and performance issues using diagnostic data, borescope results, and test cell performance curves; generate technical findings and recommended corrective actions for engineering review.
Interpret and apply Airworthiness Directives (ADs), Service Bulletins (SBs), OEM Service Letters, and maintenance manuals to ensure all corrective and preventive actions are compliant and documented.
Execute non-destructive testing (NDT) such as fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI/DP), eddy current, magnetic particle inspection (MPI), and ultrasonic testing where applicable; record results and coordinate further disposition.
Maintain rigorous shop documentation: job cards, logbooks, inspection reports, work orders, discrepancy tags, maintenance turnaround times and digital records to support traceability and quality audits.
Install, align and torquing of critical fasteners and hardware using calibrated torque wrenches, multipliers and following precise torque sequences to OEM specifications and safety-critical standards.
Remove, install and test engine accessories (fuel pumps, FADECs, fuel control units, starters, IDGs) while coordinating with avionics and accessory shops for calibration and functional checks.
Oversee parts cleaning, chemical handling, and contamination control processes (solvent tanks, ultrasonic cleaners, controlled environments) to prevent FOD and maintain corrosion prevention standards.
Perform overhaul and refurbishment of modules, subassemblies and life-limited parts to maximize service life while ensuring compliance with overhaul limits and component shop cards.
Lead root cause analysis and write-up of recurring engine failures or quality escapes, creating corrective action requests and driving remediation with engineering, quality, and production planning.
Supervise and mentor junior technicians and apprentices during tear down and assembly tasks, ensuring safe work practices, correct tooling usage, and adherence to technical instructions.
Setup, maintain and verify calibration status of shop tooling, test equipment and measuring instruments; escalate calibration issues and arrange for re-calibration to maintain measurement integrity.
Coordinate with purchasing and inventory to source OEM-approved replacement parts, track maintenance material consumption, and minimize AOG downtime by expediting critical parts.
Ensure compliance with all health, safety and environmental regulations in the shop: PPE use, lockout/tagout, chemical safety data sheets (SDS), and safe handling of hazardous materials.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives—5S, Lean, Kaizen—to reduce turnaround time, scrap, and rework while improving throughput and inspection accuracy.
Perform pre-delivery acceptance checks, sign-off airworthiness paperwork, and provide detailed handover briefings to line maintenance or customer representatives.
Support engineering change implementations by validating modifications during assembly, documenting deviations, and providing feedback on manufacturability and maintenance impacts.

Secondary Functions

Assist in shop scheduling and capacity planning by providing accurate labor estimates and turnaround times for engine repair and overhaul jobs.
Support ad-hoc technical investigations and data analysis for trending engine performance, failures, and reliability metrics.
Contribute to the organization's maintenance strategy and roadmap by feeding back field lessons, recurring defects, and improvement ideas.
Collaborate with business units, procurement, quality, and engineering to translate technical findings into actionable repair plans and part life management decisions.
Participate in shift handover briefings, daily stand-ups and agile-like planning for fast-paced AOG or high-priority engine work.
Provide training sessions and technical knowledge transfer for new processes, updated OEM procedures and revised inspection criteria.
Assist quality assurance with internal audits, non-conformance investigations, and corrective/preventive action closure.
Support customer interactions including technical debriefs, status updates, and on-site inspections as required.
Help maintain and update technical publications, wiring diagrams, engine manual revisions and internal SOPs.
Volunteer as point-of-contact for continuous improvement projects focused on tooling layout, workstation ergonomics, or digital workflow adoption.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

FAA A&P certificate or equivalent regulatory certification (preferred) and thorough knowledge of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) and regulations (FAA/EASA).
Deep experience with turbine engine teardown, inspection, overhaul, and reassembly for turbofan, turbojet and turboprop engines.
Proficient in borescope inspection techniques, image capture, interpretation and reporting against OEM acceptance criteria.
Test cell operation experience: instrumentation hookup, engine start/run procedures, data acquisition, and interpreting performance/thermodynamic charts.
Non-destructive testing (NDT) skills: fluorescent penetrant (FPI), eddy current, magnetic particle (MPI), and basic ultrasonic inspection knowledge.
Strong ability to read and apply OEM maintenance manuals, Illustrated Parts Catalogs (IPC), Service Bulletins, and engineering drawings.
Precision measurement and metrology: micrometers, calipers, dial indicators, bore gauges, and familiarity with MRO calibration requirements.
Rotor balancing and vibration mitigation techniques, including use of balancing machines and understanding of dynamic/rotor balancing fundamentals.
Experience with engine accessories, fuel systems, and electrical starters/ignition systems integration and testing.
Competence with shop tooling, torqueing procedures, thread locking, and critical fastener control to OEM torque values and sealant specifications.
Familiarity with maintenance tracking systems (MMS), ERP systems, and digital work card platforms to log discrepancies and repair actions.
Basic welding/soldering or authorized repair skillsets for specific repair shops (if applicable to shop scope) and adherence to approved repair schemes.
Understanding of corrosion control, cleaning processes (chemical handling), and contamination control best practices in engine shops.
Ability to perform root cause analysis, generate technical reports, and communicate corrective actions to engineering and quality teams.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety in a high-stakes aviation environment.
Strong troubleshooting and analytical thinking for diagnosing complex mechanical and performance problems.
Effective communication skills — able to document findings clearly and present technical information to engineers, supervisors, and customers.
Team leadership and mentorship abilities; patient trainer who enforces best practices and builds team competence.
Time management and prioritization under AOG pressure and tight MRO schedules.
Adaptability and continuous learning mindset to keep up with new engine models and OEM procedural changes.
Accountability and ownership — follows tasks through from diagnosis to final sign-off and handover.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with vocational/technical training in aviation maintenance or mechanical trades.

Preferred Education:

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate, EASA Part-66 or equivalent.
Associate degree or diploma in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aeronautical Engineering Technology, or equivalent technical program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aerospace / Aeronautical Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Industrial Maintenance / Precision Machining

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–7 years in turbine engine maintenance and overhaul (entry to mid-level).

Preferred:

5+ years of hands-on engine shop experience with turbofan/turbojet engines in an MRO environment, including test cell operation, borescope inspections and familiarity with OEM overhaul procedures.

Certifications and clearances such as A&P, EASA Part-66, NDT certifications (Level II preferred), and safety training (OSHA, HAZMAT, forklift, lockout/tagout) are highly desirable.