Engineering ServicesISCO 3153

Aircraft maintenance engineer

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.

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Rate 5 of the 29 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

repair engines

inspect aircraft for airworthiness

install electrical and electronic equipment

use power tools

wear appropriate protective gear

About aircraft maintenance engineer

As an aircraft maintenance engineer, you will hold a critical role in ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating in Poland and across international routes. Your responsibilities span both preflight and postflight inspections where you meticulously check engines, hydraulic systems, electrical components, and structural integrity to identify any defects or malfunctions before an aircraft takes to the sky. You will work with detailed technical drawings and blueprints, use specialized testing equipment, and apply your deep knowledge of aircraft mechanics and engineering principles. Your work directly impacts passenger safety and operational reliability, making precision, attention to detail, and adherence to strict safety protocols essential qualities for success in this career.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a aircraft maintenance engineer.

1

Aircraft Inspection and Testing

  • Conduct thorough preflight inspections to detect malfunctions in engines, electrical systems, hydraulics, and structural components
  • Perform postflight inspections and document findings for maintenance records and regulatory compliance
  • Use specialized testing equipment including multimeters, pressure gauges, and diagnostic systems to verify aircraft systems functionality
2

Engine and Component Repair

  • Repair and maintain aircraft engines, addressing issues such as oil leaks, combustion problems, and component wear
  • Install, adjust, and repair electrical and electronic equipment including wiring systems and avionics
  • Replace defective components following technical drawings and aircraft maintenance manuals
3

Safety and Compliance Management

  • Ensure compliance with airport security measures and aviation safety regulations throughout all maintenance activities
  • Maintain and wear appropriate personal protective equipment and manage health and safety standards on the maintenance line
  • Document all maintenance work, defects found, and corrective actions taken for regulatory audit trails
4

Weight and Balance Verification

  • Verify passenger and cargo distribution and weight calculations to ensure aircraft meets weight and balance specifications
  • Calculate fuel requirements and verify fuel quantity is appropriate for intended flight operations

Do You Have the Skills for This Role?

Core competency requirements inferred from the occupation's skill profile. Take the free assessment to see how you match.

Must-Have Skills (Advanced)

Problem SolvingAdvanced
Self ManagementAdvanced

Supporting Skills

Sense MakingIntermediate
Digital FluencyIntermediate

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (29)

aircraft flight control systemsaircraft flight control systemsThe setting, features and operation of aircraft flight control systems such as flight control surfaces, cockpit controls, connections, and operating mechanisms required to control the flight direction...electromechanicselectromechanicsThe 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 creat...electrical engineeringelectrical engineeringThe field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.aircraft mechanicsaircraft mechanicsTechnicalities over mechanics in aircrafts and related topics in order to perform a wide range of repais in aircrafts.technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.mechanical engineeringmechanical engineeringDiscipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.electrical wiring planselectrical wiring plansPictorial 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...mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical 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 componentsengine componentsThe different engine components, their operation, lifecycle and maintenance and repairing needs.repair enginesrepair enginesRepair 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 airworthinessinspect aircraft for airworthinessInspect 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 iss...manage health and safety standardsmanage health and safety standardsOversee 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 equipmentinstall electrical and electronic equipmentInstall 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 sw...use power toolsuse power toolsOperate power driven pumps. Use hand tools or power tools. Use vehicle repair tools or safety equipment.wear appropriate protective gearwear appropriate protective gearWear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.ensure compliance with airport security measuresensure compliance with airport security measuresEnsure compliance with airport security measures prior to the boarding of planes.read standard blueprintsread standard blueprintsRead and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.use testing equipmentuse testing equipmentUse equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.read engineering drawingsread engineering drawingsRead 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 skillsapply technical communication skillsExplain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.use technical documentationuse technical documentationUnderstand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.manage airport development resourcesmanage airport development resourcesDirect 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 enginesdisassemble enginesDisassemble internal combustion engines, generators, pumps, transmissions and other components of mechanical equipment.evaluate engine performanceevaluate engine performanceRead and comprehend engineering manuals and publications; test engines in order to evaluate engine performance.follow manufacturer guidelines in use of airport equipmentfollow manufacturer guidelines in use of airport equipmentFollow 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 unde...engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.diagnose defective enginesdiagnose defective enginesDiagnose engine damage or malfunctions by inspecting mechanical equipment; utilise instruments such as chassis charts, pressure gauges, and motor analysers.
Optional (7) — show
electrical systems used in transportationelectrical systems used in transportationThe functioning of electrical systems, their specifications, and application in operations and systems for the transportation of freight and people.assemble electrical componentsassemble electrical componentsAssemble switches, electrical controls, circuit boards and other electrical components by using hand and soldering equipment.operate precision measuring equipmentoperate precision measuring equipmentMeasure 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, an...use computerised maintenance management systemsuse computerised maintenance management systemsUse computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS) in order to facilitate effective follow up of the work undertaken in maintenance facilities.test electronic unitstest electronic unitsTest electronic units using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.manage airport workshopsmanage airport workshopsManage 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 equipmentoperate soldering equipmentUse soldering equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, such as a soldering gun, soldering torch, gas-powered iron, and others.

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Frequently asked questions

What does an aircraft maintenance engineer do?

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.

What skills does an aircraft maintenance engineer need?

An aircraft maintenance engineer needs 29 essential skills, including aircraft flight control systems, electromechanics, electrical engineering, aircraft mechanics, technical drawings.

Will AI replace aircraft maintenance engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for aircraft maintenance engineer is 32/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: engine components, read standard blueprints, use computerised maintenance management systems. Most resilient: electricity, install electrical and electronic equipment, aircraft mechanics.

Quick Facts

ISCO GroupScience and engineering associate professionals
Essential Skills29
Core Skills4

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