Essential Information
An aircraft maintenance engineer keeps aircraft in working order through maintenance, repairs and inspections. The Federal Aviation Administration regulates mechanical work on aircraft, and individuals entering this field must meet specific education, work experience and testing requirements. Aircraft maintenance engineers must be prepared to carefully follow FAA regulations and work long hours on emergency repairs.
| Required Education | Completion of FAA-approved training program |
| Other Requirements | FAA certification |
| Projected Job Growth (2012-2022) | 2%* |
| Median Salary (2013) | $55,980* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Job Description
An aircraft maintenance engineer is responsible for ensuring an aircraft operates properly and safely. A maintenance engineer may make repairs, troubleshoot problems, conduct inspections and make upgrades to aircrafts. Daily duties may include Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspections, scheduled maintenance, emergency repairs and recordkeeping of all maintenance activities (www.faa.gov).
Aircraft maintenance engineers work with equipment that includes specialized aviation tools, diagnostic equipment, computers, x-ray machines and power tools. Work conditions may involve working on ladders or scaffolds, long hours working on emergency repairs and managing other maintenance staff. Maintenance engineers must carefully observe all FAA rules and regulations when performing any job duty.
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Requirements
The FAA sets requirements for mechanics working on aircrafts. These requirements state a person who is a U.S. citizen must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be proficient in the English language
- Have practical experience in working with power plants or airframes or graduate from a FAA-Approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School
- Pass written, oral and practical tests
If a person is not a U.S. citizen then they must meet all requirements for a citizen, plus:
- Show a need for a mechanic certificate
- Provide a valid passport
- Provide a statement from an employer stating types of maintenance duties handled and amount of time on job
- Provide a letter from a foreign airworthiness authority or International Civil Aviation Organization that validates experience
- Pay a document review fee
The FAA also requires that any work done to an aircraft must be done by or under the direct supervisor of a certified mechanic. FAA certification is available for power plant mechanics and airframe mechanics. FAA-approved degrees include the Associate of Occupational Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology and Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Maintenance.
Most programs take about 20 months to complete and cover topics that prepare students to pass the required FAA tests. Another training option for active duty and reserve soldiers is becoming an aircraft maintenance engineer or avionic mechanic through a nine-week training program offered by the United States Army.
Employment Outlook and Salary Information
In 2013, aircraft mechanics and service technicians earned an annual median salary of $55,980, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also projected slower than average employment growth of 2%, for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians, from 2012-2022.
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