Aircraft engine assembler

An aircraft engine assembler

Description

Aircraft engine assemblers build and install prefabricated parts to form aircraft engines, such as lightweight piston engines and gas turbines. They review specifications and technical drawings to determine materials and assembly instructions. They inspect and test the engines and reject malfunctioning components.

The duties of an aircraft engine assembler typically include, but are not limited to:

  • Reading and interpreting blueprints, diagrams, and assembly instructions to assemble and install aircraft engines
  • Measuring and testing parts and components to ensure they meet quality and safety standards
  • Assembling and installing components such as pistons, cylinders, crankshafts, and fuel systems
  • Using hand and power tools to assemble and test engines
  • Inspecting and testing assembled engines to ensure they meet performance and safety standards
  • Troubleshooting and repairing any issues with engines or components
  • Maintaining accurate records of all assembly and testing procedures performed on engines

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to aircraft engine assembler:

light aircraft engine assembler
piston aircraft engine assembler
military aircraft engine builder
civilian aircraft engine builder
plane engine assembler
civilian aircraft engine assembler
airplane engine builder
jet aircraft engine assembler
aeroplane engine builder
aeroplane engine assembler
military aircraft engine assembler
jet aircraft engine builder
airplane engine assembler
helicopter engine assembler
piston aircraft engine builder
rotary aircraft engine assembler
rotary aircraft engine builder
helicopter engine builder
plane engine builder
light aircraft engine builder

Working conditions

Aircraft engine assemblers often work in manufacturing facilities or repair and maintenance facilities. The job may require working in tight spaces and standing for long periods. Safety protocols must be followed to prevent injuries when working with heavy components and machinery.

Minimum qualifications

A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to become an aircraft engine assembler. Many employers also require vocational or technical training in a related field, such as aviation technology. On-the-job training is also necessary to become proficient in the job duties of an aircraft engine assembler.

Certification through aviation authorities, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is available and can enhance job prospects and advancement opportunities. Continuing education and professional development are necessary to stay current with advancements in aircraft engine technology and regulations.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Aircraft engine assembler is a Skill level 2 occupation.

Aircraft engine assembler career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to aircraft engine assembler.

aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician
motor vehicle engine assembler
vessel engine assembler
aircraft de-icer installer
motor vehicle parts assembler

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of aircraft engine assembler. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of aircraft engine assembler with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

aircraft engine tester
rolling stock engine tester
vessel engine tester
motor vehicle engine tester
aircraft engine inspector

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of aircraft engine assembler.

  • Operation of different engines: Know the characteristics, maintenance requirements and operating procedures of various kinds of engines such as gas, diesel, electrical, and engines with steam propulsion plants.
  • Electromechanics: The engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that create electricity by mechanical movement.
  • Aircraft mechanics: Technicalities over mechanics in aircrafts and related topics in order to perform a wide range of repais in aircrafts.
  • Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
  • Common aviation safety regulations: The body of legislation and regulations that apply to the field of civil aviation at regional, national, European and International levels. Understand that regulations aimed at protecting citizens at all times in civil aviation; ensure that operators, citizens, and organisations comply with these rules.
  • Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.
  • Engine components: Know the different engine components, and their operation and maintenance. Understand when repairs and replacement should be undertaken.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of aircraft engine assembler.

  • Bolt engine parts: Securely bolt together engine components manually or using power tools.
  • Apply preliminary treatment to workpieces: Apply preparatory treatment, through mechanical or chemical processes, to the workpiece preceding the main operation.
  • Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
  • Align components: Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.
  • Use power tools: Operate power driven pumps. Use hand tools or power tools. Use vehicle repair tools or safety equipment.
  • Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
  • Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
  • Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
  • Read engineering drawings: Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
  • Ensure aircraft compliance with regulation: Ensure that every aircraft complies with applicable regulation and all components and equipment have officially valid components.
  • Fasten components: Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.
  • Use technical documentation: Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
  • Apply health and safety standards: Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of aircraft engine assembler. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
  • Electronics principles: The study of electric energy, more specifically electron, control and its prominent principles regarding integrated circuits and electrical systems.
  • Engineering processes: The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
  • Electronics: The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
  • Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
  • Rivet types: The various types of rivets used in manufacturing, such as solid head rivets, blind rivets, drive rivets, semi-tubular rivets, oscar rivets, flush rivets, and others.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of aircraft engine assembler. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
  • Repair engines: Repair identified problems with internal combustion engines, external combustion engines and electrical motors. Replace and fix faulty parts by using hand and machine tools.
  • Operate welding equipment: Use welding equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel; wear protective eyewear during the working process.
  • Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
  • Operate precision measuring equipment: Measure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, and a measuring gauge.
  • Diagnose defective engines: Diagnose engine damage or malfunctions by inspecting mechanical equipment; utilise instruments such as chassis charts, pressure gauges, and motor analysers.
  • Operate handheld riveting equipment: Operate various kinds of tools and equipment used in riveting processes, such a pin hammer and a rivet set, handheld squeezers, a hammer and bucking bar, a pneumatic hammer, a rivet gun, and others.
  • Use testing equipment: Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.
  • Use cam software: Use computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.
  • Calibrate electronic instruments: Correct and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular intervals which are set by the manufacturer and using calibration devices.
  • Re-assemble engines: Re-assemble transport equipment engines after overhaul, inspection, repair, maintenace or cleaning according to blueprints and technical plans.
  • Recognise signs of corrosion: Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.
  • Conduct performance tests: Conduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditions.
  • Operate lifting equipment: Transport heavy objects using lifting equipment such as cranes, forklifts etc.
  • Liaise with engineers: Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
  • Send faulty equipment back to assembly line: Send equipment that didn’t pass inspection back to the assembly line for re-assembly.
  • Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
  • Disassemble engines: Disassemble internal combustion engines, generators, pumps, transmissions and other components of mechanical equipment.
  • Tend riveting machine: Tend a metalworking machine designed to join metal pieces by automatically shooting mechanical fasteners, rivets, into them, monitor and operate it according to regulations.
  • Set up automotive robot: Set up and programme an automotive robot working on machine processes and substituting or collaboratively supporting human labour, such as the six-axis automotive robot.
  • Position engine on test stand: Position the engine on a stand or in a cell, ready for testing, by using a hoist or overhead crane.
  • Operate soldering equipment: Use soldering equipment, such as a soldering gun, a soldering torch or a gas-powered iron, to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel.
  • Write records for repairs: Write records of the repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, of parts and materials used, and other repair facts.

ISCO group and title

8211 – Mechanical machinery assemblers


References
  1. Aircraft engine assembler – ESCO
  2. Featured image: By AndyKamy – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
Last updated on April 18, 2023

What do you want to do with this job?

You will be brought to the forum page

Requires a business account

Requires a business account