Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Turbine Specialist Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Jet Turbine Specialist Assistant supports senior engine specialists and field service engineers in the maintenance, inspection, troubleshooting, and overhaul of jet turbine engines (turbofan, turboshaft, turboprop). This role is focused on hands-on engine work, technical documentation, test cell support, and quality control while adhering to OEM procedures, regulatory requirements (FAA, EASA), and company safety standards. The assistant works closely with cross-functional teams — maintenance, quality, supply chain, and engineering — to maintain engine reliability, reduce downtime, and enable safe flight operations.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Aircraft Technician / A&P Mechanic with engine experience
Aerospace Maintenance Apprentice or Trainee focused on propulsion systems
Maintenance Support Technician at MRO facilities

Advancement To:

Senior Jet Turbine Specialist / Engine Overhaul Technician
Field Service Engineer (OEM or MRO)
Engine Shop Supervisor or Engine Quality Manager
Engine Test Cell Technician Lead

Lateral Moves:

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Specialist
Maintenance Planner / Reliability Engineer
Component Repair & NDT Coordinator
Technical Publications Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Assist senior turbine specialists with complete engine inspections, including disassembly/reassembly, visual and dimensional checks, and compliance with OEM overhaul manuals and maintenance schedules to ensure engines meet airworthiness standards.
Perform borescope inspections of compressors, combustion chambers, turbines and hot sections; document findings with high-resolution imaging and detailed log entries to support life-limited parts decisions.
Execute routine and complex engine troubleshooting under supervision using diagnostic tools, engine health monitoring data and fault isolation procedures to rapidly identify root causes of performance anomalies.
Support engine test cell operations: prepare engines and auxiliary systems for runs, monitor instrumentation (temperatures, pressures, vibration, fuel flows), record test data and apply corrective actions or run profiles as directed.
Conduct NDT tasks such as eddy current, ultrasonic, and dye penetrant inspections under certified oversight; log and communicate inspection outcomes and suspected defect locations for repair disposition.
Assist in component removal, repair routing and reinstallation for HP/IP/LP rotors, stators, combustors, fuel nozzles and accessory gearbox components following torque, alignment and balancing procedures.
Execute precision measurements and tolerance checks using micrometers, vernier calipers, dial indicators and coordinate measurement protocols to verify component conformity before assembly.
Support engine health monitoring programs by collecting, consolidating and uploading engine borescope, test cell and flight data to trend analysis platforms and communicating abnormal trends to engineering.
Prepare and maintain accurate technical documentation: work orders, maintenance records, service bulletins, airworthiness entries, and conformity paperwork to ensure regulatory compliance.
Follow and enforce safety procedures including hot work, confined space, hazardous materials handling, and FOD prevention; contribute to daily safety briefings and hazard reports.
Coordinate with supply chain and stores to validate parts availability, request spares and manage tagged components, serviceable pools and life-limited parts to support shop turnaround times.
Assist in calibration checks and instrumentation verification for test cell transducers, thermocouples, pressure sensors and accelerometers to ensure accurate engine performance measurements.
Participate in engine borescope and inspection reporting, drafting clear remediation recommendations and repair scopes for senior engineers and customers.
Support overhaul and repair planning activities: estimate labor scopes, sequence disassembly/reassembly tasks, and track progress against scheduled job cards and turnaround times.
Implement contamination control procedures during engine work, including cleaning, sealing and storage of exposed components, to prevent foreign object damage and corrosion.
Aid in blade and vane washing, corrosion treatment and light repair operations, including composite patching and protective coating application as instructed by senior technicians.
Assist with dynamic balancing and blade tracking procedures, following OEM balancing specifications and recording balancing outcomes and correction vectors.
Support shop continuous improvement initiatives by identifying process inefficiencies, suggesting tooling improvements or layout adjustments and participating in Lean/Kaizen events.
Help maintain tooling, test stands and ground support equipment: conduct pre-use checks, log maintenance activities and escalate calibration or repair needs to the tooling lead.
Assist with training and mentorship of apprentices and junior technicians by demonstrating correct procedures, safe tool usage and documentation best practices under supervision.
Participate in field service deployments as a support technician, assisting with on-airport engine removals, installations and troubleshooting while representing the company professionally to customers.
Maintain and update engine parts traceability records, serial number logs and tag systems to ensure component provenance and regulatory traceability.
Support quality control inspections during and after engine assembly to verify fastener torque sequences, clearances, and adherence to OEM-fitment specifications.
Assist with failure investigation and root cause analysis by collecting evidence, documenting damage signatures and supporting metallurgical or laboratory sampling requests.
Support compliance activities related to ADs (Airworthiness Directives), SBs (Service Bulletins) and life-limited parts tracking to maintain engines in an airworthy condition.

Secondary Functions

Support cross-functional data collection for reliability and predictive maintenance programs; collaborate with reliability engineers to improve EHM (Engine Health Monitoring) analytics and scheduling.
Contribute to the shop’s inventory accuracy by performing cycle counts, status updates and helping reconcile physical inventory with the ERP system (e.g., SAP, IFS, Maximo).
Assist in translating field findings into technical service reports and customer advisories that communicate condition, corrective actions and next steps.
Participate in continuous education and OEM-specific training sessions to maintain currency on engine models (GE, Rolls‑Royce, Pratt & Whitney) and updated maintenance practices.
Provide ad-hoc support to Quality and Regulatory teams for audits, inspections and corrective action implementation.
Help maintain and organize technical publications, manuals, wiring diagrams and tooling storage to ensure quick access and version control.
Support improvement of maintenance turnaround times by shadowing workflow optimization projects and participating in small process pilots.
Act as backup on test cell instrumentation logging and data upload duties during peak workloads or staff absences.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

FAA A&P certification or EASA Part-66 Category (preferred B1/B2) — demonstrated ability to sign/endorse maintenance tasks under supervision where applicable.
Hands-on experience with jet engine systems (turbofan, turboshaft, turboprop) including compressors, turbines, combustors, fuel systems, lubrication and accessory gearboxes.
Proficient in borescope inspection techniques and reporting standards; ability to capture and annotate high-resolution inspection images and interpret findings.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) familiarity — eddy current, ultrasonic, dye penetrant or fluorescent penetrant inspection; NDT Level I/II preferred.
Engine test cell operations and instrumentation knowledge: thermocouples, pressure transducers, vibration monitoring and data logging.
Root cause analysis and troubleshooting skills using fault codes, vibration spectra, oil debris monitoring and performance trend data.
Experience with engine maintenance documentation: OEM manuals (IPC, AMM, CMM), service bulletins, AD compliance and work package execution.
Proficiency with maintenance management systems and ERPs (e.g., SAP PM, IFS, IBM Maximo) to update work orders, track parts and record time.
Familiarity with precision measurement tools and metrology; ability to perform tolerance checks, run-out, bearing clearances and alignment procedures.
Knowledge of balancing, blade tracking, and rotor assembly techniques using balancing stands and dynamic balancing equipment.
Basic understanding of materials, coatings and corrosion control methods used in hot-section components and composites.
Experience using handheld diagnostic equipment: multimeters, borescope units, vibration analyzers, thermography cameras.
Basic CAD literacy for reading assembly drawings, schematics and 3D component views; familiarity with inspection reports and measurement outputs.
Understanding of quality systems, inspection checkpoints, and component tagging/traceability processes.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail with a methodical approach to inspections, documentation and compliance.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for clear reporting, handovers and customer-facing interactions.
Problem-solving mindset and the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced shop or field environment.
Team player attitude: works effectively with senior specialists, engineers, supply chain and quality teams.
Adaptable and safety-focused: consistently applies safety protocols, risk assessments and works to minimize FOD.
Time management and organizational skills to meet turnaround times and support multiple concurrent engine jobs.
Commitment to continuous learning, OEM training absorption and professional development in engine technologies.
Customer service orientation for on-site field service visits and coordination with airline/planner representatives.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent with technical/vocational training in aircraft maintenance, aerospace technology, or mechanical trades.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or diploma in Aerospace Technology, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology or related discipline.
Additional certifications: FAA A&P, EASA Part-66, OEM-specific engine courses (e.g., GE, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls‑Royce) and NDT certifications.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering Technology
Aviation Maintenance Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Industrial/Manufacturing Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on experience supporting turbine engine maintenance, MRO environments, or engine test cell operations.

Preferred:

2–4 years supporting engine inspections, borescope work, test cell operations or component repair in an MRO, airline, OEM, or military engine shop.
Demonstrable experience with at least one major engine family (e.g., CFM56, GE90, PW1000G, RR Trent series, T700) or similar turboprop/turboshaft models.
Prior exposure to regulatory compliance (FAA, EASA), shop floor quality systems, and ERP maintenance recordkeeping.

Keywords: jet turbine specialist assistant, engine maintenance, borescope inspection, turbofan, turboshaft, engine test cell, FAA A&P, EASA Part-66, NDT, predictive maintenance, engine diagnostics, MRO, OEM training, engine overhaul, aviation technician.