Career change as an aircraft mechanic
With your experience you can switch to 7 jobs in Germany: 4 with on-the-job training and 3 with training or a course.
In the job search you can sort by what matters to you, save jobs and see where they lead.
Career change paths
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Service technician for gas turbines
Also: Service technician for industrial plants
With on-the-job training
As a service technician you service and overhaul turbines, compressors and other large machines at customers and in the workshop.
- What you bring:
- Gas turbines in power plants and industry work similarly to aircraft engines, and you know inspection, disassembly and precise assembly.
- How to get there:
- Manufacturers and service companies give aircraft mechanics a few weeks to months of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) on their machines. Expect installation assignments at customers, partly abroad, and English in daily work.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Physically demanding€4,563gross per monthMedian salary
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Quality inspector in aircraft maintenance
Also: Maintenance technician in industry
With on-the-job training
In quality assurance you check components and work results, support audits and authority inspections or, in industry, manage maintenance and repairs.
- What you bring:
- You are used to working to strict specifications, documenting without gaps and recognizing deviations immediately.
- How to get there:
- Maintenance and industrial companies give experienced mechanics a few months of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in testing procedures, standards and quality systems. Courses to become a quality officer at training providers such as TÜV or the German Society for Quality (DGQ) take a few days to weeks.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Shift workLittle customer contact€6,509gross per monthMedian salary
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Service technician for wind turbines
With on-the-job training
As a service technician you service and repair turbines on land or at sea and look for faults in mechanics and controls.
- What you bring:
- You know gearboxes, bearings, hydraulics, rotor blades and working to a maintenance plan from aircraft, and wind turbines are maintained in a similar way.
- How to get there:
- Manufacturers and service companies give you on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) and send you to safety trainings for work at height and rescue, which take a few days. You need fitness for work at height and physical fitness. Expect installation work and trips to changing locations.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contactLots of time outdoors -
Non-destructive testing inspector
Also: Test technician in materials testing
With on-the-job training
In non-destructive testing you examine components with ultrasound, eddy current, dye penetrant or X-ray for aviation, power plants and industry.
- What you bring:
- You know crack testing, borescope inspection and component findings from engine maintenance.
- How to get there:
- Testing service providers and maintenance companies give you on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) and send you to courses for the individual testing methods, usually at the German Society for Non-Destructive Testing (DGZfP), each lasting a few days to weeks and ending with an exam. For aviation you additionally need a company certification under the standards customary there.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact€4,177gross per monthMedian salary
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Certified industrial foreman, aviation technology
Also: Shift supervisor in engine maintenance
With further trainingPromotion
As a master craftsperson (Meister) or shift supervisor you plan jobs and staff, monitor deadlines and quality and lead a team of mechanics.
- What you bring:
- You know work routines, documentation and quality requirements in aviation maintenance very well.
- How to get there:
- You take further training as a certified industrial foreman, specialization aviation technology (Geprüfter Industriemeister Fachrichtung Luftfahrttechnik), at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It usually takes 2 to 3 years alongside work, or about one year full-time, and it can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted with vocational training and work experience.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Shift workLittle customer contact€4,386gross per monthMedian salary
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State-certified technician in aviation technology
Also: State-certified technician in mechanical engineering
With further trainingPromotion
With the technician qualification you work in work planning, technical documentation, design or quality assurance at aviation and mechanical engineering companies.
- What you bring:
- You understand engines, materials and manufacturing processes from practical work.
- How to get there:
- The vocational college for technology (Fachschule für Technik) takes 2 years full-time or about 4 years alongside work and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). The specialization in aviation technology exists only at a few schools, while mechanical engineering is offered almost everywhere. You are admitted with completed vocational training and work experience.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office€6,509gross per monthMedian salary
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Instructor for aircraft mechanics
Also: Instructor in the training workshop
With further trainingPromotion
As an instructor you work with trainees in the training workshop and the hangar and prepare them for the exams.
- What you bring:
- You know tools, regulations and duties of care in aviation and can explain work steps well.
- How to get there:
- For trainer aptitude (Ausbildereignung) you take the exam under the Trainer Aptitude Ordinance at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), and preparation courses usually take a few weeks. Full-time instructor jobs exist at large maintenance and engine companies.*Regulated by law (Vocational Training Act (BBiG) § 30, Trainer Aptitude Ordinance (AEVO)).
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact€5,075gross per monthMedian salary
Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently asked questions
Which jobs can I do as an aircraft mechanic without vocational training or retraining?
Without a new qualification, often with on-the-job training: Service technician for gas turbines, Quality inspector in aircraft maintenance, Service technician for wind turbines and Non-destructive testing inspector.
Which retraining or further training suits me as an aircraft mechanic?
With vocational training, retraining, further training or a course: Certified industrial foreman, aviation technology, State-certified technician in aviation technology and Instructor for aircraft mechanics.
What promotion options do I have as an aircraft mechanic?
Promotions include, for example: Certified industrial foreman, aviation technology, State-certified technician in aviation technology and Instructor for aircraft mechanics.
Which of these jobs pay the most?
According to official statistics, the highest median full-time salaries are: State-certified technician in aviation technology (€6,509 gross per month), Quality inspector in aircraft maintenance (€6,509 gross per month) and Instructor for aircraft mechanics (€5,075 gross per month). Half of employees earn more, half earn less; when you start it is often lower. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), April 2025. No guarantee of accuracy.
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