How to hire an aircraft engine mechanic

How to hire an aircraft engine mechanic, step by step

Here's a step-by-step aircraft engine mechanic hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an aircraft engine mechanic job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new aircraft engine mechanic
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an aircraft engine mechanic do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The aircraft engine mechanic hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An aircraft engine mechanic's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, aircraft engine mechanics from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of aircraft engine mechanic salaries for various roles:

   Type of Aircraft Engine Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Aircraft Engine Mechanic	Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft. They also may perform aircraft inspections as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).	$17-41
   Power Plant Technician	Power plant technicians, paid at an average of $790K per year, must have skills in concentration, dexterity, mechanics, and problem-solving. They will need a high school diploma or GED at the very least, though some employers do prefer a college or vocational school degree, as well as strong math and science backgrounds... Show more	$14-34
   Structures Technician	Structures technicians design buildings or monuments. They plan construction, select materials, and create models... Show more	$20-37

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Troubleshoot
   • Hand Tools
   • Security Clearance
   • Test Equipment
   • Ladders
   • Gearboxes
   • Operational Checks
   • Safety Practices
   • Engine Components
   • Test Cell
   • Hoists
   • Technical Manuals
   • On-The-Job Training
   • Support Equipment

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead and train personnel supporting aerospace equipment sustainment and operations.
   • Apply technical knowledge of airframe systems in determining equipment malfunctions and apply required expertise in restoring equipment condition to operating status.
   • Qualify in CPR and up to first responders level.
   • Perform depot level overhaul contract maintenance on foreign and domestic customer jet engines.

   More aircraft engine mechanic duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your aircraft engine mechanic job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An aircraft engine mechanic can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, aircraft engine mechanics' average salary in hawaii is 49% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level aircraft engine mechanics 58% less than senior-level aircraft engine mechanics.
   • Certifications. An aircraft engine mechanic with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an aircraft engine mechanic's salary.

   Average aircraft engine mechanic salary

   $56,092yearly

   $26.97 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level aircraft engine mechanic salary

   $36,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 11, 2026

   Average aircraft engine mechanic salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New Jersey	$65,153	$31
   2	Delaware	$64,939	$31
   3	Massachusetts	$63,678	$31
   4	New York	$59,825	$29
   5	Ohio	$58,767	$28
   6	Washington	$58,511	$28
   7	Pennsylvania	$58,284	$28
   8	Minnesota	$56,956	$27
   9	Alabama	$53,312	$26
   10	Texas	$52,867	$25
   11	Louisiana	$50,479	$24
   12	Georgia	$49,880	$24
   13	Oklahoma	$49,516	$24
   14	Illinois	$49,302	$24
   15	Iowa	$49,050	$24
   16	West Virginia	$48,962	$24
   17	Florida	$47,409	$23
   18	Oregon	$47,278	$23
   19	Michigan	$47,072	$23
   20	Idaho	$45,555	$22

   Average aircraft engine mechanic salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	General Electric	$65,762	$31.62	9
   2	Rolls-Royce	$62,573	$30.08
   3	Zenetex	$61,329	$29.49
   4	Pacific Architects and Engineers	$58,282	$28.02
   5	Raytheon Technologies	$53,525	$25.73	16
   6	Us Army Reserves	$52,860	$25.41
   7	Army National Guard	$52,551	$25.26	235
   8	Aerotek	$52,294	$25.14	197
   9	Air National Guard	$51,195	$24.61
   10	Tyonek Native	$51,070	$24.55	23
   11	Indian Health Service	$50,082	$24.08
   12	Bradley-Morris	$49,660	$23.88
   13	LAUNCH Technical Workforce Solutions	$49,060	$23.59	2

4. Writing an aircraft engine mechanic job description

   A job description for an aircraft engine mechanic role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an aircraft engine mechanic job description:

   Aircraft engine mechanic job description example

   COVID\-19 continues to significantly impact our employees, families and communities\. With employee health and safety as our top priority, and as a federal contractor, Lockheed Martin is taking action to address the increased risk and uncertainty COVID\-19 variants pose in the workplace and ensuring we meet our commitments to national security\.
   
   To uphold safety for all employees, we will continue to request vaccination status for all Lockheed Martin employees including new hires\. All current and newly hired employees are required to follow onsite safety measures based upon the COVID\-19 Community Level at the specific work location\.
   
   **Description:** This position reads and interprets manuals to determine feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning and damaged components\. Perform FE/CE duties; these duties shall be in addition to Aircraft Mechanic I duties\. Proficiency in operations of the MH\-47\.
   \#mfcvets
   
   **Basic Qualifications:**
   
   \*Minimum of 5 years experience on H\-47's\.
   
   \*Contract crew member must have a minimum of 250 flight hours as H\-47 crew member, have previously qualified, and served in such capacity during military service\.
   
   \* Must be proficient in reading and interpreting Schematics, Engineering Drawings, Technical Manuals and Technical Orders\.
   
   **BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:**
   
   job\.Qualifications
   
   **Lockheed Martin is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer\. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status\.**
   
   Join us at Lockheed Martin, where your mission is ours\. Our customers tackle the hardest missions\. Those that demand extraordinary amounts of courage, resilience and precision\. They're dangerous\. Critical\. Sometimes they even provide an opportunity to change the world and save lives\. Those are the missions we care about\.
   
   As a leading technology innovation company, Lockheed Martin's vast team works with partners around the world to bring proven performance to our customers' toughest challenges\. Lockheed Martin has employees based in many states throughout the U\.S\., and Internationally, with business locations in many nations and territories\.
   
   **EXPERIENCE LEVEL:**
   
   Hourly/Non\-Exempt

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find aircraft engine mechanics for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any aircraft engine mechanics they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level aircraft engine mechanics with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your aircraft engine mechanic job on Zippia to find and recruit aircraft engine mechanic candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit aircraft engine mechanics, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new aircraft engine mechanic

   Once you've found the aircraft engine mechanic candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new aircraft engine mechanic first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an aircraft engine mechanic?