Aircraft maintenance engineer

Aircraft maintenance engineers

Description

Aircraft maintenance engineers make preflight and postflight inspections, adjustments, and minor repairs to ensure safe and sound performance of aircrafts. They inspect aircraft prior to takeoff to detect malfunctions such as oil leaks, electrical or hydraulic problems. They verify passenger and cargo distribution and amount of fuel to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.

An aircraft maintenance engineer typically does the following duties:

  • dismantling, inspecting, testing, repairing, and reassembling aircraft engines, ancillary motors and engine accessories, electrical systems, and subassemblies of aircraft frames
  • installing electrical circuits and equipment
  • testing aircraft communication equipment, aircraft instrumentation, and electronic systems using electronic testing equipment and specialised test apparatus
  • replacing and testing aircraft oxygen system components
  • assembling parts and subassemblies of aircraft frames
  • conducting routine pre-flight inspections of engines, aircraft frames, and mechanical systems
  • maintaining records of action taken
  • may manufacture aircraft electrical, instrument, and radio hardware components.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to aircraft maintenance engineer:

air transportation engineer
aviation systems technician

Working conditions

Aircraft maintenance engineers work in hangars, airfields, or repair shops. They may be exposed to aircraft engines, tools, and other equipment noise. They may work in cramped and awkward positions and be exposed to fumes, grease, and dirt. They work on their feet for long periods and may be required to lift heavy objects. They also work with tools and machinery that require special safety precautions.

Aircraft maintenance engineers typically work a 40-hour week, but they may have to work evenings, weekends, and holidays to service aircraft that operate on a 24-hour schedule. They also may have to work overtime to meet deadlines or to respond to emergencies.

Minimum qualifications

Aircraft maintenance engineers need a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. Many employers prefer an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in aircraft maintenance engineering or a related field. Courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry are helpful for this career.

Most aircraft maintenance engineers will receive on-the-job training in their new role. This training will typically last for a few months and will teach the new employee the specific procedures and practices of the company.

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 maintenance engineer is a Skill level 3 occupation.

Aircraft maintenance engineer career path

Similar occupations

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

avionics inspector
aircraft engine tester
aircraft engine inspector
rolling stock engine tester
rolling stock engine inspector

Long term prospects

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

aerodynamics engineer
precision engineer
flight test engineer
component engineer
equipment engineer

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of aircraft maintenance engineer.

  • Airport planning: Know airport planning for different types of aircrafts; use that information to mobilise resources and people in order to handle the aircrafts while they are in the airport.
  • 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.
  • Aircraft flight control systems: Know the setting, features and operation of aircraft flight control systems. Manage flight control surfaces, cockpit controls, connections, and operating mechanisms required to control the flight direction of an aircraft. Operate aircraft engine controls in order to change aircraft speed.
  • 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.
  • Electrical engineering: Understand electrical engineering, a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
  • Aircraft mechanics: Technicalities over mechanics in aircrafts and related topics in order to perform a wide range of repais in aircrafts.
  • Technical drawings: Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
  • 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.
  • Mechanical engineering: Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
  • Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
  • Electrical wiring plans: Pictorial representation of an electrical circuit. It shows the components of the circuit as simplified shapes, and the power and signal connections between the devices. It gives information about the relative position and arrangement of devices and terminals on the devices, to help in building or servicing the device. A wiring diagram is often used to troubleshoot problems and to make sure that all the connections have been made and that everything is present.
  • 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 maintenance engineer.

  • 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.
  • Inspect aircraft for airworthiness: Inspect aircraft, aircraft components, and aviation equipment to ensure they conform to design specifications and to airworthiness standards following major repairs or alterations. Approve or deny issuance of airworthiness certificates.
  • Manage health and safety standards: Oversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company’s health and safety programmes.
  • Install electrical and electronic equipment: Install equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work, or equipment to generate, transfer or measure such currents and fields. This equipment includes switchboards, electric motors, generators or direct current systems.
  • 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.
  • Ensure compliance with airport security measures: Ensure compliance with airport security measures prior to the boarding of planes.
  • Diagnose defective engines: Diagnose engine damage or malfunctions by inspecting mechanical equipment; utilise instruments such as chassis charts, pressure gauges, and motor analysers.
  • Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
  • Use testing equipment: Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.
  • 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.
  • Apply technical communication skills: Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
  • Use technical documentation: Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
  • Manage airport development resources: Direct allocated resources for the design and further development of airport property and facilities; control the costs, quality and timeliness of important projects for airport improvement.
  • Disassemble engines: Disassemble internal combustion engines, generators, pumps, transmissions and other components of mechanical equipment.
  • Evaluate engine performance: Read and comprehend engineering manuals and publications; test engines in order to evaluate engine performance.
  • Follow manufacturer guidelines in use of airport equipment: Follow advice provided by manufacturers on the use and maintenance of the different vehicles, equipment, and instruments used in airports. Establish communication processes with manufacturers and understand all the mechanical, electrical, and preventive, actions needed to utilise equipment effectively.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

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

Optional skills and competences

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

  • Assemble electrical components: Assemble switches, electrical controls, circuit boards and other electrical components by using hand and soldering equipment.
  • 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.
  • Use computerised maintenance management systems: Use computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS) in order to facilitate effective follow up of the work undertaken in maintenance facilities.
  • Test electronic units: Test electronic units using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.
  • Manage airport workshops: Manage airport workshops to organise operations and ensure completion of all necessary tasks. Prepare maintenance activities according to the requirements and needs of the airport.
  • 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.

ISCO group and title

3153 – Aircraft pilots and related associate professionals


References
  1. Aircraft maintenance engineer – ESCO
  2. Aircraft Maintenance Engineer | Your Career
  3. Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder
  4. Featured image: By Peter F.A. van de Noort – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated on March 19, 2023