Best Companies for 15T Aviation Mechanics: Top Aircraft Employers (2025)
Top 20+ companies actively hiring 15T Aviation Mechanics with salaries $70K-$160K+. Includes airlines, military contractors, maintenance facilities, and manufacturers.
Bottom Line Up Front
15T Aviation Mechanics are actively recruited by 20+ major airlines, maintenance facilities, and aircraft manufacturers offering salaries from $70,000-$160,000+. Best employers provide: veteran hiring programs, sign-on bonuses ($5K-$20K), tuition assistance, advancement to lead mechanic/supervisor roles. Top sectors: Airlines ($85K-$140K), Maintenance Facilities ($75K-$130K), Aircraft Manufacturers ($80K-$145K), Military Contractors ($85K-$150K). Companies like Delta, United, American, Southwest, Boeing, Airbus, and maintenance facilities actively recruit 15T veterans for aircraft maintenance roles.
Why Companies Recruit 15T Veterans
Major airlines and aircraft maintenance companies understand: 15T Aviation Mechanics bring aircraft maintenance expertise and discipline.
You've performed complex aircraft maintenance, understood sophisticated systems, followed strict procedures, and maintained quality. Companies recruiting 15T veterans get:
- Aircraft maintenance knowledge and expertise
- Technical systems understanding
- Procedure and compliance discipline
- Quality assurance orientation
- Safety mindset essential in aviation
- Leadership potential from military training
- Reliability critical in aviation
The companies below actively recruit aviation mechanics and provide clear advancement paths to lead mechanic and supervisor roles.
Major Airlines
1. Delta Air Lines
- Aircraft Mechanic: $85K-$115K
- Lead Mechanic: $115K-$150K
- Supervisor: $150K-$210K+
- Largest airline
- Strong veteran recruitment
- Union representation
- Excellent advancement
2. United Airlines
- Aircraft Mechanic: $80K-$110K
- Lead Mechanic: $110K-$145K
- Supervisor: $145K-$200K+
- Major airline
- Veteran hiring
- Union benefits
- Career growth
3. American Airlines
- Aircraft Mechanic: $80K-$110K
- Lead Mechanic: $110K-$145K
- Supervisor: $145K-$200K+
- Major carrier
- Veteran program
- Union representation
- Advancement
4. Southwest Airlines
- Aircraft Mechanic: $85K-$120K
- Lead Mechanic: $120K-$155K
- Supervisor: $155K-$220K+
- Major low-cost carrier
- Excellent compensation
- Veteran recruitment
- Strong advancement
5. JetBlue Airways
- Mechanic: $75K-$105K
- Lead Mechanic: $105K-$140K
- Supervisor: $140K-$190K+
- Growing airline
- Veteran hiring
- Good benefits
- Career development
Aircraft Maintenance Companies (MROs)
6. AAR Corp
- Mechanic: $75K-$110K
- Lead Mechanic: $110K-$145K
- Manager: $150K-$200K+
- Largest MRO company
- Veteran program
- Multiple facilities
- Advancement
7. STS (Standard Tuning Services)
- Mechanic: $75K-$105K
- Senior Mechanic: $105K-$140K
- Supervisor: $140K-$185K+
- Major maintenance provider
- Veteran recruitment
- Career growth
8. Timco Aviation Services
- Mechanic: $70K-$100K
- Senior Mechanic: $100K-$135K
- Supervisor: $135K-$180K+
- Major MRO provider
- Veteran hiring
- Career development
9. Aviation Technical Services
- Mechanic: $75K-$105K
- Senior Mechanic: $105K-$140K
- Manager: $150K-$190K+
- Specialized maintenance
- Veteran program
- Advancement
10. Lufthansa Technik (US)
- Mechanic: $80K-$115K
- Senior Mechanic: $115K-$150K
- Supervisor: $155K-$210K+
- German-based MRO
- High standards
- Good compensation
Military and Government
11. Military Depots (Army, Navy, Air Force)
- GS-6 to GS-9: $50K-$90K
- Manager (GS-11+): $100K-$170K+
- Federal civil service
- Familiar military environment
- Federal benefits and pension
- Veterans preference
12. Boeing Defense (Maintenance)
- Mechanic: $85K-$125K
- Senior Mechanic: $125K-$165K
- Manager: $165K-$240K+
- Defense contractor
- Government aircraft work
- Security clearance advantage
- Advancement
13. Lockheed Martin (Aircraft Services)
- Mechanic: $85K-$120K
- Senior Mechanic: $120K-$160K
- Manager: $160K-$230K+
- Defense contractor
- Military aircraft focus
- Veteran program
- Career growth
Aircraft Manufacturers
14. Boeing Commercial (Maintenance Services)
- Mechanic: $85K-$125K
- Senior Mechanic: $125K-$165K
- Engineer: $140K-$200K+
- Aircraft manufacturer
- Veteran recruitment
- Technical advancement
- Executive path
15. Airbus (Maintenance Services)
- Mechanic: $85K-$125K
- Senior Mechanic: $125K-$165K
- Manager: $165K-$240K+
- Major manufacturer
- Veteran program
- Global opportunities
Corporate and Charter Aviation
16. NetJets (Corporate Aviation)
- Mechanic: $80K-$115K
- Senior Mechanic: $115K-$150K
- Manager: $150K-$200K+
- Largest fractional ownership
- Premium compensation
- Veteran hiring
17. VistaJet
- Mechanic: $85K-$120K
- Senior Mechanic: $120K-$160K
- Luxury jet service
- High standards
- Good pay
Smaller Regional Airlines and Operators
18. Regional Airlines (SkyWest, Republic, Horizon, etc.)
- Mechanic: $70K-$100K
- Lead Mechanic: $100K-$135K
- Supervisor: $135K-$180K
- Smaller operators
- Often union represented
- Career stepping stone
- Good benefits
How to Maximize Your Chances
1. Emphasize Aircraft Maintenance Knowledge
Don't write: "15T Aviation Mechanic, maintained helicopters"
Do write: "Aircraft maintenance professional with expertise in helicopter/aircraft systems, A&P certification knowledge, component replacement, and aircraft airworthiness"
2. Highlight Key Skills
- Aircraft systems knowledge
- Mechanical and electrical systems
- Maintenance procedures and documentation
- Quality assurance and inspections
- Troubleshooting and diagnostics
- Equipment operation and safety
- Numbers: "Performed 500+ maintenance events," "Maintained 99.8% aircraft readiness," "Zero safety incidents"
3. Pursue A&P Certification
- Critical for advancement to higher pay
- Test-out option available (military experience qualifies)
- Exam: $340 if military qualified
- Can get A&P while working
- Increases earning potential $5K-$15K
4. Target Major Airlines
- Delta, United, American, Southwest pay significantly more
- Union representation standard at major airlines
- Excellent benefits and job security
- Clear advancement to lead mechanic/supervisor
5. Strategic Application
- Apply to 15-20+ companies
- Target both airline and maintenance facility positions
- Consider military contractor positions (good pay, familiar environment)
- Build toward lead mechanic and supervisor roles
- Look for companies with A&P advancement support
Salary Progression Summary
Entry-Level:
- Aircraft Mechanic: $70,000-$100,000
- Maintenance Technician: $75,000-$105,000
Mid-Level (3-5 years):
- Lead Mechanic: $100,000-$145,000
- Senior Mechanic: $110,000-$155,000
- Shift Lead: $115,000-$160,000
Senior-Level (5-10 years):
- Lead Mechanic (Major Airline): $140,000-$190,000
- Supervisor: $150,000-$210,000
- Manager: $180K-$280K+
Executive (10+ years):
- Director: $250K-$400K+
- VP Operations: $350K-$500K+
Overtime: Add $10K-$40K+ annually at airlines
Union benefits: Major airline union mechanics earn 15-25% premium
Bottom Line for 15T Aviation Mechanics
Your aircraft maintenance expertise is highly valued by every major airline and maintenance company.
Immediate opportunities (30-90 days): Maintenance technician roles ($75K-$110K), A&P advancement track
Medium-term (1-3 years): Lead mechanic positions ($110K-$160K), senior technical roles
Long-term (3-10+ years): Supervisor/manager roles ($150K-$280K+), director and executive positions ($250K-$500K+)
Your 15T aviation maintenance background opens doors at every major airline and aircraft maintenance facility.
Ready to apply? Use the career planning tools at Military Transition Toolkit to research airlines and track applications.