Composite/Plastic Fabricator

Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command • Hill AFB, UT

11d

About The Position

This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) position supporting maintenance of 5th Generation aircraft. ARTs are regular career civil-service employees who receive Federal employee benefits and must maintain membership in the assigned Air Force Reserve unit. ARTs participate in an average of one weekend of military training per month, and the work schedule is aligned with unit training assemblies. Regular assignments are ART duties, with some non-ART duties that generally will not exceed 30 percent of total responsibilities, as determined by the supervisor.

The position provides on- and off-equipment maintenance for aircraft composite components, structural assemblies, low-observable systems and subsystems, and specialized coatings. Work includes troubleshooting, inspecting, repairing, modifying, fabricating, and maintaining aircraft components and support equipment; preparing aircraft for inspections and performing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, modifications, and TCTOs; evaluating low-observable coating-system damage and integrity; and using health evaluation and quantification systems. The fabricator interprets engineering drawings and manufacturing process specifications, plans and lays out work, applies coatings to required thickness and surface texture, and identifies and prevents corrosion.

The employee also trains reservists, prepares training plans, maintains work-area cleanliness, and follows safety, security, and environmental-protection requirements. The role may involve temporary duty travel, driving and operating authorized vehicles or aerospace ground equipment, off-shift work, overtime, evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency work. The employee must maintain current certifications, meet Air Force Reserve requirements, obtain and maintain a Secret clearance, and may need special program access for the assigned weapon system. The position is subject to random drug testing and requires passing a physical examination to wear respiratory protection equipment.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Must be a current member of the Air Force Reserve or willing and qualified to join, and must meet and maintain Air Force Reserve requirements.
• Must obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
• Must meet the screen-out requirement: ability to perform Composite/Plastic Fabricator work with little or no supervision.
• Must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant to the WG-4300 Pliable Materials Work Family, including aircraft sheet-metal and composite structural maintenance, materials, techniques, and procedures.
• Knowledge of records maintenance and documentation regulations, procedures, and policies.
• Knowledge of EPA and Air Force ECAMP requirements relating to hazardous-waste generation and personal and environmental protection, and practical knowledge of low-observable technologies and construction features.
• Ability to input, validate, analyze, interpret, and understand signature data.
• Skill in layout and pattern development, including geometric projection and triangulation.
• Skill in use and maintenance of shop tools, equipment, and measuring instruments, including drill presses, punches, metal saws, cabinet blasters, paint guns, and pressure-pot paint guns.
• Ability to inspect and evaluate structural damage to sheet-metal and composite systems, plan and accomplish repairs, and work with exacting tolerances and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate and document work appropriately, orally and in writing, and interact professionally and cooperatively with coworkers, sections, and organizations.
• Skill in assembling, fabricating, and repairing aircraft structural components and materials; interpreting blueprints, diagrams, sketches, technical specifications, program readouts, and shop mathematics.
• Skill in using and maintaining surface-preparation and coating equipment, including powered spray units, sanders, grinders, vacuum equipment, pit-depth gauges, and stencil machines.
• Must maintain current certifications.
• Must be able to attain special program access for the assigned weapon-system program, if applicable.
• Must qualify for a license or permit to operate required vehicles and aerospace ground equipment on the airfield.
• Must pass the physical examination required to wear respiratory protection equipment.
• Must be able to work off-shifts and scheduled or unscheduled overtime as operational demands require.
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• Must comply with direct-deposit requirements for Federal employees.

Nice To Haves

• Advance in hire may be authorized if demonstrable proof is provided on the resume.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.
• Incentive for prior work experience to determine leave accrual may be authorized upon request.
• Superior qualifications may be considered.
• Appropriate unpaid, part-time, and volunteer experience may receive qualifying credit.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, inspect, repair, modify, and maintain aircraft composite components, structural assemblies and subassemblies, low-observable systems and subsystems, accessories, and specialized coatings.
• Perform on- and off-equipment maintenance for 5th Generation aircraft, including preparing aircraft for and conducting scheduled and unscheduled inspections, repairs, modifications, maintenance, and TCTOs.
• Maintain low-observable systems and subsystems using health evaluation and quantification systems; evaluate coatings for damage and system integrity.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, sketches, technical specifications, manufacturing process specifications, and work orders.
• Plan and lay out repair, coating, and fabrication work for aircraft structural components and support equipment.
• Identify, remove, and prevent corrosion, including applying corrosion inhibitors appropriately.
• Fabricate, assemble, and repair aircraft structural components and materials, applying low-observable coatings to specified thickness and surface texture.
• Provide training to reservists and develop effective training plans for Reserve training.
• Maintain and account for hand tools, power tools, equipment, and measuring instruments.
• Follow safety, security, EPA, and Air Force environmental-compliance practices and procedures, including hazardous-waste and personal/environmental protection requirements.
• Document work orally and in writing, manually and through computer-based systems; maintain required records.
• Clean and maintain the work area and equipment, prevent foreign object debris, and practice good housekeeping.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, including temporary duty travel and driving authorized vehicles or operating aerospace ground equipment when required.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits and a comprehensive benefits package are available; specific eligibility depends on the position type.
• PCS expenses may be paid if authorized under the Joint Travel Regulations and Air Force regulations.
• Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.
• Disabled veteran leave may be available to qualifying Federal employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed