Dismantles, inspects, tests, repairs and reassembles aircraft engines, ancillary motors and engine accessories, electrical systems and sub-assemblies of aircraft frames; installs electrical circuits and equipment; tests aircraft communication equipment, aircraft instrumentation and electronic systems using electronic testing equipment and specialised apparatus; replaces and tests aircraft oxygen system components; assembles parts and sub-assemblies of aircraft frames; conducts routine pre-flight inspections of engines, aircraft frames and mechanical systems; maintains records of action taken; may manufacture aircraft electrical, instrument and radio hardware components.

• Works indoors in large specialised aircraft workshops, but also works inside aircraft cockpits or flight decks, the engine compartment, or on other areas of the aircraft where electronic componentry is installed. They may also work on the aircraft while it sits on the tarmac.
• May occasionally travel to other airports to carry out emergency repair work.
• Worksites will often be noisy and dirty with aviation fuel fumes common.
• May work in confined spaces or on raised mobile platforms or ladders.
• Protective equipment including eye and ear protection, safety footwear and overalls, is worn.

• Physical demand is light to medium. Lifting and carrying of electronic componentry is frequently required but is unlikely to exceed a medium physical demand.
• Standing or sitting is frequently required. Walking is frequently required.
• Stretching up and across is frequently required to check aircraft electronic componentry and equipment, frequently holding parts and tools when doing so.
• Squatting, crouching or kneeling and twisting of the body or neck are occasionally required. Bending and climbing ladders are occasionally required.
• Repetitive movements are frequently required especially in the use of hands and arms for screwing, cutting and fixing of cabling and electrical/electronic fittings.
• Driving is not required.
• There is a requirement to use a wide range of hand, power and machine tools.
• Mental skills needed are technical, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

• To gain entry into an aircraft maintenance engineering traineeship employees need a National Certificate in Aeronautical Engineering (NZQ Level 3). Graduates usually then work towards achieving the National Certificate in Aeronautical Engineering (NZQ Level 4) while completing an apprenticeship (ANZSCO Skill Level 3).
• Not all aircraft maintenance engineers have to be licensed, but CAA requires all engineering and maintenance work carried out on aircraft to be done under the supervision of a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME).

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.