Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Jet Technician is a licensed aircraft maintenance professional responsible for performing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, inspections, repairs, and troubleshooting on jet aircraft systems and structures. This role requires hands-on experience with turbofan/turboprop powerplants, avionics interfaces, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, flight controls, landing gear, and structural/composite repairs. The Jet Technician works within line maintenance and heavy maintenance environments, follows FAA/EASA regulations and OEM technical data, documents maintenance actions in maintenance tracking systems, and contributes to aircraft airworthiness, reliability, and on-time dispatch performance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice or Mechanic Trainee
Military Aircraft Mechanic / Aviation Technician
Avionics Technician or Structures Technician

Advancement To:

Lead Jet Technician / Shift Lead
Maintenance Supervisor or Shop Foreman
Quality Control Inspector / Airworthiness Inspector
Maintenance Planner or Base Maintenance Manager

Lateral Moves:

Avionics Specialist
Engine Shop Technician
Structural/Composite Repair Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform comprehensive line and base maintenance inspections (A Checks, B Checks, C Checks) on jet aircraft in strict accordance with OEM maintenance manuals, airworthiness directives (ADs), service bulletins (SBs), and regulatory requirements to ensure continued airworthiness and regulatory compliance.
Conduct detailed functional checks and troubleshooting of complex avionics systems, communication and navigation radios, flight management systems (FMS), flight control computers, and auto-pilot interfaces using diagnostic equipment and OEM troubleshooting guides.
Remove, install, test, and overhaul aircraft engines, APU units, nacelle components, and associated accessories following engine manufacturer procedures, torque specifications, and engine run/test protocols to maintain propulsion reliability.
Execute scheduled and unscheduled maintenance tasks on hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel, bleed air, environmental control (air conditioning and pressurization), and pneumatic systems, including leak detection, component replacement, and system flushing as required.
Inspect, maintain, remove and install landing gear assemblies, wheels, brakes, tires, and steering systems; perform rigging, replacement of brake assemblies, and ground run procedures to OEM standards and safety protocols.
Carry out structural and composite repairs, including corrosion control, skin patching, rivet replacement, fastener installation, and composite lay-up repairs per structural repair manuals and approved repair schemes.
Perform non-destructive testing (NDT) inspections (e.g., dye penetrant, eddy current, ultrasonic, borescope) to detect cracks, fatigue, and internal damage in engines, rotors, and airframe components while documenting findings and initiating corrective actions.
Conduct borescope inspections of engines and APU compressors/combustors and provide detailed reports, photographic evidence, and recommendations for repairs or teardown where required.
Troubleshoot electrical distribution systems, circuit breakers, bus ties, harnesses, and wiring installations; perform wire harness repairs, connector replacements, and re-sequencing in accordance with wiring diagrams and electrical load analysis.
Remove and replace avionics modules, line replaceable units (LRUs), and maintain spare LRU inventory—perform LRU hand-offs to component repair shops and ensure accurate logbook entries and MEL/CDL compliance where applicable.
Execute engine runs, taxi tests, and system functional tests; monitor parameters, interpret test results, and take corrective action for abnormal readings or behaviors to return the aircraft to service safely.
Interpret and apply technical data such as Illustrated Parts Catalogs (IPC), Structural Repair Manuals (SRM), Fault Isolation Manuals (FIM), and Wiring Diagram Manuals (WDM) to ensure correct part selection and repair methodology.
Maintain accurate maintenance records, logbook entries, and digital records in maintenance tracking systems (CAMP, TRAX, AMOS, Quantum, or equivalent), ensuring traceability and regulatory audit readiness.
Address and correct non-routine defects identified during pre-flight or post-flight inspections; isolate fault sources using system test equipment and perform efficient corrective maintenance to minimize aircraft downtime.
Execute removal, preservation, and shipment of components to outsourced vendors; coordinate with supply chain and expeditor teams to track turnaround times and ensure availability of critical spares.
Perform engine and accessory borescope inspections, document erosion, foreign object damage (FOD), and wear patterns; recommend and carry out necessary repairs or overhauls in coordination with engine shops.
Support weight and balance checks, fuel system maintenance, and modifications that affect aircraft performance parameters; ensure all changes are reflected in maintenance records and dispatch releases.
Participate in troubleshooting complex intermittent faults that require multi-disciplinary coordination (avionics, engines, airframe) and escalate to engineering or OEM support when failing isolation steps.
Adhere to Safety Management System (SMS) policies, participate in safety investigations, and implement corrective actions to reduce risk and improve workplace safety culture.
Calibrate, inspect, and maintain tooling and test equipment; follow tool control procedures and maintain torque tools, ground support equipment, and test benches to calibration standards.
Supervise or mentor junior technicians and apprentices; provide on-the-job training and technical guidance while ensuring work meets quality and regulatory standards.
Support maintenance planning by providing accurate labor and parts estimates for repair tasks, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing maintenance cycle times.
Execute aircraft modifications and retrofits including structural, avionics, and interior modifications, ensuring compliance with supplemental type certificate (STC) documentation and approved engineering changes.
Carry out de-icing and anti-icing inspections and system maintenance, ensuring operational readiness in cold-weather and adverse conditions.
Respond to AOG (Aircraft on Ground) situations with prioritized troubleshooting and rapid part sourcing to restore aircraft to service, coordinating with maintenance control and vendors.

Secondary Functions

Maintain a clean, organized, and safety-compliant workspace while managing tool kits, consumables, and documentation to support efficient maintenance operations.
Participate in shift handovers, debriefs, and maintenance control briefings to ensure continuity of work and transparent defect status reporting.
Assist quality assurance by following inspection checklists and providing evidence and signoffs for completed maintenance tasks; act on corrective actions from audits and inspections.
Support parts requisitioning, kitting, and inventory management by flagging low stock items and helping forecast critical spares usage.
Contribute to internal process improvements and lean maintenance initiatives that enhance turn-times, reduce waste, and improve on-time performance KPIs.
Provide input to training programs and competency evaluations to keep team certifications current and aligned with regulatory and OEM requirements.
Occasionally support ferry flights, repositioning flights, or overnight deployments, including basic pre-flight checks and coordination with flight crews as required.
Assist engineering with service difficulty reports (SDRs), safety reports, and participate in root cause analyses for repeat defects.
Participate in continuous professional development to remain current with new aircraft types, avionics suites, and regulatory changes (e.g., FAA/EASA updates).
Support customer-facing interactions when required, explaining maintenance timelines, defect findings, and expected return-to-service estimates in a professional manner.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certificate or EASA Part-66 Category B1/B2 license — required for signing maintenance releases and performing certified work.
Proven hands-on experience with turbofan and turboprop engines, including removal/installation, borescope inspection, and in-shop/serviceable interface.
Strong avionics troubleshooting ability: FMS, TCAS, weather radar, EFIS, radios, and integrated avionics troubleshooting using avionics test sets and software.
Deep knowledge of hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel, and environmental control systems and the ability to diagnose and repair system faults to OEM standards.
Proficiency in reading and applying technical data: AMM, SRM, IPC, WDM, FIM, ADs, SBs, and engineering orders.
Experience with non-destructive testing (NDT) methods such as dye-penetrant, eddy current, ultrasonic inspection, and borescope techniques.
Familiarity with maintenance tracking and planning software (CAMP, AMOS, TRAX, Quantum, CHR/AMMS) for logging work, parts, and compliance.
Strong electrical and wiring harness repair skills, including splice techniques, connector replacement, and wiring diagram interpretation.
Knowledge of engine ground runs, taxi tests, and post-maintenance functional checks including the ability to interpret engine parameters and trends.
Competence in structural and composite repair techniques, corrosion control, rivet replacement, and metal fabrication basics.
Tooling competency: torque tool calibration and usage, use of specialized service tools, and adherence to tool control programs.
Understanding of regulatory compliance, airworthiness directive implementation, MEL/CDL application, and regulatory documentation standards.

Soft Skills

Excellent attention to detail and methodical documentation habit that ensures accurate maintenance records and audit readiness.
Strong problem-solving and diagnostic reasoning skills to effectively isolate complex intermittent faults across multiple systems.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for working with flight crews, maintenance control, vendors, and quality teams.
Teamwork and collaboration mindset — ability to work effectively in cross-functional maintenance teams and mentor junior technicians.
Time management and prioritization skills to balance safety, quality, and on-time aircraft dispatch pressures.
Customer service orientation, especially when interacting with operators or clients regarding maintenance status and estimated repair times.
Adaptability and resilience to work varied shifts, overtime, and occasional emergency AOG responses.
Safety-first attitude and accountability for following and promoting SMS, lockout/tagout, and personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols.
Continuous learning orientation and willingness to pursue additional type ratings and manufacturer-specific training.
Integrity and professionalism when conducting maintenance that directly impacts flight safety and regulatory compliance.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED plus FAA A&P certificate or equivalent EASA Part-66 license.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Aerospace Engineering Technology, or related field.
Manufacturer/type-specific training certificates (e.g., Boeing, Airbus, Pratt & Whitney, GE, Rolls-Royce).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aerospace Engineering Technology
Avionics or Electrical Engineering Technology
Composite/Structural Repair Programs

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2 to 10+ years of professional aircraft maintenance experience, with a typical hire range of 3–7 years for line jet technician roles.

Preferred:

5+ years working on similar jet aircraft types (narrowbody or regional/large business jets) with documented experience in line and base maintenance, engine work, and avionics troubleshooting.
Demonstrated experience with FAA/EASA regulatory compliance, MEL/CDL usage, and maintenance tracking systems.