Aircraft Maintenance Engineer: Job Description
Aircraft maintenance engineers are more commonly called aircraft mechanics because they perform scheduled maintenance on propeller planes, airliners, helicopters and other flying machines. They typically work in air fields, hangars and repair stations, and must endure hot and cold temperatures when handling tasks outdoors. They may need to wear protective clothing and gear to manage dangerous chemicals, loud noises and large power tools with safety.
Aircraft maintenance engineers maintain and repair aircraft frames and mechanical parts, while specialists called avionics technicians handle the electronics. They use instruments to measure wear and test controls, replace defective components with hand tools, inspect their work to be sure it meets established standards and keep records of all actions. Their jobs may be stressful because they have limited time to complete their tasks before the aircraft continues with travel schedules. They can specialize in particular vehicles such as helicopters or jets, or focus on systems such as the engine or hydraulics
Employers require that aircraft maintenance engineers complete a course of study at maintenance technician schools approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. Programs that last 18 to 24 months award certificates and diplomas. However, associate degrees, which take two years, and bachelor’s degrees, which take four years, are also available in about a third of the schools. The higher degree greatly enhances job prospects, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Graduates typically start by working under the management of mechanic supervisors. Once they’ve achieved 30 months of experience, they can apply for certification, which also requires a minimum age of 18, fluency in English, and passing written, oral and practical exams.
Aircraft maintenance engineers earned a mean $54,500 per year, or $26.20 per hour, with a range that started below an annual $34,630, or $16.65 hourly, and rose above $74,210 yearly, or $35.68 per hour. About 33,110 of the total 117,320 engineers worked in support activities for air transportation to receive a mean $48,400 per year, or $23.27 per hour. The best salaries were with couriers and express delivery services, averaging a yearly $76,440, or $36.75 hourly. The states with the most jobs for the position were Texas, California and Florida. However, the highest salaries were in Tennessee, averaging $66,470 annually, or $31.96 hourly, and Connecticut at a mean $63,420 per year, or $30.49 per hour.