A natural transition for military maintainers, this pathway can lead to A&P certification, inspection authorization, MRO leadership, quality, and reliability roles.
Common Industries
Aerospace
Airlines
Cargo Aviation
Defense Contractors
General Aviation
MRO
Primary Jobs
A&P Mechanic
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
Avionics Technician
GSE Technician
Lead AMT
Related Jobs
Aircraft Inspector
Director of Maintenance
Maintenance Supervisor
MRO Supervisor
Technologies
- Advanced Composites Repair
- Aircraft Health Monitoring
- Aircraft Inspections
- Airframe Systems
- Avionics Basics
- Digital Maintenance Records
- Electrical Systems
- Hydraulics
- Powerplant Systems
- Predictive Aircraft Maintenance
Career Path Examples(for education purposes only)
Aircraft Maintenance Helper → A&P Mechanic → Senior A&P Mechanic → Lead Mechanic → Maintenance Supervisor → Director of Maintenance
For education purposes only. The career path examples, progression descriptions, and role information on this page are provided by BuildEm as general guidance to help you explore career options. They do not guarantee or promise any specific career outcome, advancement timeline, or employment result. Career progression varies by employer, industry, location, individual performance, and other factors. Always verify this information directly with a prospective employer or a qualified career advisor before making any career or employment decisions.
Career Progression Examples
For education purposes only — actual progression varies by employer.
Entry Level
Starting StrongLearns shop/flightline safety, tools, technical manuals, inspections, documentation, and support tasks under supervision.
Mid Level
Building MomentumPerforms inspections, troubleshooting, component replacement, servicing, and documentation to aviation standards.
Senior
Leading with ExpertiseLeads complex maintenance, return-to-service quality, troubleshooting, mentoring, and coordination with operations/QA.
Expert
Setting the StandardOwns maintenance programs, regulatory compliance, quality systems, reliability, fleet readiness, and technical leadership.
Relevant Certifications
AS9100 Quality
FAA A&P License
FAA Inspection Authorization (IA)
OSHA 30