Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Systems Mechanic

🎯 Role Definition

A Jet Systems Mechanic is a skilled aircraft maintenance professional responsible for the inspection, troubleshooting, repair, overhaul, and certification of jet propulsion-related systems including turbine engines, auxiliary power units (APUs), fuel and oil systems, pneumatic/bleed air systems, environmental control systems (ECS), and fire protection systems. This role ensures aircraft airworthiness, performs preventive and corrective maintenance, adheres to technical publications and regulatory requirements (FAA/EASA/MIL), documents work in maintenance tracking systems, and supports safe, on-time aircraft operations.

This description is written by a recruiter for clarity and SEO: key phrases included — jet systems mechanic, turbine engine maintenance, APU repair, aircraft fuel system troubleshooting, FAA airworthiness, jet propulsion technician.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) — entry-level airframe/powerplant (A&P) trainees
Military aircraft propulsion mechanic transitioning to civilian aviation
General aircraft maintenance technician with turbine exposure

Advancement To:

Senior Jet Systems Mechanic / Lead Propulsion Technician
Engine Shop Supervisor or Team Lead (powerplant overhaul)
Quality Assurance Inspector or Airworthiness Certification Specialist
Maintenance Planner / Reliability Engineer
Technical Representative or Field Service Engineer for OEMs

Lateral Moves:

Avionics Technician (with cross-training)
Structures / Sheet Metal Technician
Component Repair Technician (fuel/oil pumps, starters)
Maintenance Training Instructor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform detailed troubleshooting, fault isolation, and repair of turbofan and turbojet engines using maintenance manuals, wiring diagrams, engine deck logs, borescope inspection results, and engine health monitoring data to restore systems to serviceable condition.
Inspect, remove, disassemble, clean, inspect, assemble and install auxiliary power units (APUs) to OEM and regulatory standards, document deferrals, and ensure APUs meet start, bleed, and electrical output specifications.
Conduct scheduled preventive maintenance and routine servicing on jet propulsion-related systems — including oil changes, filter replacements, borescope inspections, vibration checks, and engine-run procedures — to maintain reliability and compliance.
Diagnose and repair aircraft fuel delivery systems, including fuel pumps, shutoff valves, fuel manifolds, feed lines, flow meters and fuel control units, ensuring leak-free operation and correct fuel flow under all engine operating conditions.
Overhaul, test, and certify starters, ignition systems, fuel metering units and environmental control components, following test bench procedures and recorded acceptance criteria before reinstallation on aircraft.
Execute borescope inspections of compressor and turbine sections, interpret findings, determine disposition (repair/replace), and generate detailed defect reports for disposition and potential engineering recommendations.
Perform engine runs, ground starts, and post-maintenance operational checks while monitoring engine parameters (EICAS/FADEC readouts, temperatures, pressures, vibration) and following ground safety and noise abatement procedures.
Troubleshoot bleed air and pneumatic systems, repair leaks, replace regulators and check valves, and ensure ECS and pressurization systems meet bleed pressure and temperature tolerances for safe flight operations.
Maintain and repair oil and lubrication systems: analyze oil samples, replace pumps and coolers, correct contamination sources, and verify correct oil pressures and flow rates per engine technical orders.
Service and inspect engine fire protection systems — including detection loops, fire bottles, discharge circuitry and system rigging — perform functional tests and ensure compliance with emergency procedures.
Apply nondestructive inspection techniques (NDT) such as dye penetrant, eddy current or fluorescent inspection on critical engine components when required and recommended by manufacturer service bulletins.
Interpret and apply technical data: service bulletins, airworthiness directives (ADs), maintenance manuals (AMM), illustrated parts catalogs (IPC), wiring diagrams, and engine manufacturer's service instructions to ensure regulatory compliance.
Remove and install engines on aircraft and perform pre- and post-installation torqueing, rigging, alignment, and system connections, including ground handling, hoisting, and safety controls per aircraft and engine lift procedures.
Document maintenance actions accurately in maintenance tracking systems (e.g., AMOS, TRAX, CAMP) and complete required logbook entries, signoffs, and certification statements in compliance with company and regulatory policies.
Collaborate with engineering, flight operations, and reliability teams to troubleshoot intermittent or recurring jet system failures, contribute to root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions or engineering orders.
Perform component-level testing and bench repair of fuel pumps, actuators, valves, and electronic engine controls (as authorized), coordinate with certified component shops for specialized repairs, and track parts through the repair process.
Execute engine and APU borescope trending and health monitoring programs, collect and submit data for analysis, and make recommendations for service life, blade replacement, or refurbishment to optimize fleet availability.
Respond to unscheduled maintenance and AOG (Aircraft on Ground) situations to provide emergency diagnostics, temporary repairs, and safe return-to-service actions while minimizing aircraft downtime.
Adhere to safety, environmental, and hazardous materials handling procedures when working with fuels, oils, solvents, and battery/electrical systems; maintain clean workspaces and proper tool/equipment calibration.
Mentor and train junior technicians and apprentices on jet systems best practices, troubleshooting methods, and safe maintenance execution to build team capability and knowledge transfer.
Coordinate logistics for parts, consumables, and tooling required for complex engine and system repairs, ensuring timely procurement and adherence to shelf-life and certification requirements.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and suggest procedural changes, tooling upgrades, or vendor improvements that reduce maintenance cycle time and improve engine reliability.
Support overhaul and depot-level maintenance activities, including teardown assessments, parts ordering for shop repair, and communication with OEMs for warranty or technical assistance.
Verify repaired or overhauled components through functional test runs and acceptance checks, record results, and certify parts return to service under appropriate authorization.

Secondary Functions

Assist engineering and reliability programs with data collection for predictive maintenance regimes and engine health monitoring initiatives.
Provide technical feedback to purchasing and supply chain on commonly failing parts and recommend approved alternatives or obsolescence workarounds.
Support continuous improvement projects such as lean maintenance workflows, 5S shop organization and reduced turn-time initiatives for engine change events.
Participate in safety stand-downs, incident investigations and corrective action programs related to jet systems work to improve workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
Support cross-functional maintenance events (C-checks, engine removals, NDT campaigns) and provide on-the-job expertise to other maintenance disciplines.
Help maintain and calibrate specialized tooling and test equipment used for engine and APU servicing and ensure requirements for tool control programs are met.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Turbine engine maintenance and overhaul (turbofan/turbojet) — teardown/inspection/assembly aligned to OEM procedures and AD compliance.
Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) troubleshooting, repair, and functional testing, including start/bleed/electrical output verification.
Fuel and lubrication systems diagnosis and repair, including fuel pumps, fuel control units, filters, and contamination control procedures.
Borescope inspection techniques and interpretation of compressor and turbine findings for disposition and predictive maintenance.
Engine test run procedures, FADEC/engine instrumentation interpretation, vibration analysis basics, and ground run safety protocols.
Pneumatic and bleed air system repair, pressurization and environmental control system (ECS) servicing.
Knowledge of aircraft maintenance documentation: AMM, BOM/IPC, SRM, ADs, SBs, service letters and engineering orders.
Experience with maintenance tracking systems (AMOS, TRAX, CAMP, Maintenix) and accurate technical logbook entries and certifications.
Nondestructive inspection methods (dye penetrant, eddy current, or magnetic particle inspection) for engine components.
Use of engine diagnostic tools and test benches for starters, pumps, actuators, and electronic engine control modules.
Rigging, torqueing, and mechanical installation of engine mounts, thrust reversers, pylons and related structural attachments.
Strong mechanical aptitude with ability to read blueprints, schematics, wiring diagrams and understand tolerances and torque specifications.
Regulatory knowledge: FAA (or EASA) maintenance regulations, certification rules, and airworthiness directives relevant to powerplant systems.
Hands-on competence with hoists, slings, tool control programs and ground handling equipment for safe engine removal/installation.

Soft Skills

Strong troubleshooting mindset with systematic problem-solving and root cause analysis capability.
Excellent verbal and written communication for cross-functional handoffs, logbook entries, and technical reports.
Attention to detail and focus on quality and safety to consistently meet airworthiness standards and minimize rework.
Team player mentality with ability to mentor junior staff and work collaboratively across maintenance, engineering, and operations.
Time management and prioritization skills to handle multiple work orders, AOG events and scheduled maintenance tasks.
Adaptability and composure during urgent AOG response and high-pressure turnaround events.
Customer-focused attitude when liaising with flight crew, management, and external vendors to restore aircraft to service.
Continuous learning approach to stay current with OEM updates, new engine types, and evolving maintenance technologies.
Ethical decision-making and accountability for documentation, certifications and regulatory compliance.
Initiative to propose improvements and participate in lean maintenance and reliability programs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with relevant technical coursework; FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification preferred or mandatory depending on employer.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or certificate in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aerospace Engineering Technology, or similar accredited program.
OEM-specific engine training certificates (e.g., Rolls-Royce, GE, Pratt & Whitney) and APU manufacturer courses.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aerospace / Aeronautical Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Technology
Electronics/Avionics (for FADEC and control systems overlap)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–8 years of aircraft maintenance experience, with at least 2 years focused on jet engine/APU systems.

Preferred:

5+ years experience as a jet systems mechanic or powerplant technician on commercial or military turbine engines.
FAA A&P certification (or EASA Part-66) and documented experience with engine removals/installs, borescope inspections, and engine runs.
Prior military aviation propulsion experience or OEM engine shop experience is highly desirable.
Experience using maintenance tracking systems (AMOS, TRAX, CAMP) and familiarity with regulatory compliance and AD/SB implementation.

This job-level content is written in recruiter language and optimized with job-search keywords for "jet systems mechanic", "turbine engine maintenance", "APU repair", "airworthiness", and related terms to help with search engine visibility and LLM parsing.