Occupation
Aircraft maintenance engineer
Aircraft maintenance engineers inspect, service, repair, and certify aircraft and their systems so they can be released back to service. The trade is documentation-driven: every task is done to an approved procedure and recorded, and the certifying signature carries legal weight. Work is regulated by the national aviation authority and often runs on shifts around flight schedules.
Also known as: Aircraft maintenance technician · Licensed aircraft engineer · Aviation maintenance technician
Occupation content
Part of Skilled trades, maintenance and repair
What the work involves
- Carry out scheduled inspections and checks against the approved maintenance programme.
- Troubleshoot airframe, engine, electrical, hydraulic, and avionics defects reported by crews.
- Remove, install, and rig components using the aircraft maintenance manual and approved data.
- Perform structural, sheet metal, and composite repairs within the approved repair scheme.
- Complete maintenance records, technical log entries, and release-to-service certification.
- Control tooling, parts traceability, and foreign object debris around the aircraft.
How people commonly enter
- An approved aircraft maintenance training programme at a college or authority-approved training organisation.
- An aviation maintenance apprenticeship with an airline, operator, or maintenance organisation.
- Military aircraft maintenance experience converted through the civil authority's recognition process.
- Progression from an unlicensed mechanic or technician role while accumulating the experience and examinations the authority requires.
Typical training: Certificate or college diploma
Licensing: Regulated in most jurisdictions — confirm the current requirement with the regulator in your province, state, or country.
Typical work context
Lab or workshop · Shift work · Team based · High responsibility · Physically active
Related interests
Realistic (hands-on) · Investigative (analytical)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Skilled trades, maintenance and repair.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- US BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians · United States
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- UK National Careers Service — Explore careers · United Kingdom
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- Employment and Social Development Canada — National Occupational Classification (NOC) · Canada
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Skilled trades, maintenance and repair in Canada, not a figure for Aircraft maintenance engineer. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Skilled trades, maintenance and repair family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Skilled trades, maintenance and repair: education pathways
Some roles in Skilled trades, maintenance and repair may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Skilled trades, maintenance and repair: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)