Fabrication Technician

Piasecki Aircraft Corporation•Coatesville, PA

About The Position

Piasecki Aircraft Corporation is a research and development company specializing in the design, fabrication, and flight testing of experimental rotorcraft and unmanned air vehicles. The Fabrication Technician works in the prototype machine shop, manufacturing high-precision, low-volume components and installing and integrating them onto experimental aircraft. The position fabricates one-off components, performs structural and mechanical aircraft alterations, maintains AS9100 documentation and traceability, and collaborates with engineering, purchasing, contractors, and flight-test teams in a development environment. The role uses manual and NC machine tools to produce parts from engineering drawings, CAD models, sketches, and red-line markups, and performs aircraft installation, modification, and sheet-metal repair work. It also includes inspections, quality documentation, and coordination with engineers on manufacturability and assembly. The technician may perform other related duties to meet the organization’s ongoing needs.

Requirements

At least 3 years of hands-on experience in precision machining, toolmaking, or prototype aircraft fabrication or assembly.
Certified Machinist (journeyman, vocational trade certification, or recognized trade apprenticeship), or equivalent aviation maintenance experience with documented machining proficiency.
Demonstrated ability to operate manual 3-axis mills, lathes, and/or NC-controlled machines without supervision.
Proficiency reading and interpreting aerospace engineering blueprints, revision blocks, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5.
Practical familiarity working under AS9100, ISO 9001, or equivalent regulated aerospace quality management systems.
Experience working with aerospace alloys, including aluminum 2024/7075, stainless steels, titanium, and 4130 chromoly, as well as engineering plastics.
Basic CAD/CAM experience, such as Fusion 360, Mastercam, or SolidWorks, for conversational NC toolpath generation.
Sheet-metal forming and composite-structure fabrication experience.
Computer skills, especially Microsoft Office, and ability to learn additional software and computer skills.
Ability to understand and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Strong professional customer-service skills, including active listening, prompt service, and follow-up.
Strong decision-analysis and problem-solving skills, including drawing conclusions, justifying decisions, and communicating issues to management.
Ability to learn and understand corporate policies and procedures and how they relate to organizational goals.
Ability to perform basic mathematical computations.
Strong teamwork and analytical skills, with ability to mentor shop technicians.
High degree of self-motivation and ability to work independently.
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds overhead, remain on one’s feet all day, and walk up to 2 miles per day.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working on experimental or prototype aircraft in a research and development, startup, or flight-test environment.
TIG welding.
Working knowledge of advanced software applications.

Responsibilities

Fabricate, assemble, and install prototype equipment on rotorcraft for production and research and development.
Interpret blueprints, modification work orders, technical orders, military technical manuals, schematics, and rudimentary drawings.
Install prototype equipment on aircraft and modify existing airframes to accommodate installations.
Coordinate with project engineering personnel and provide technical assistance to engineers, contractors, AD factory representatives, and others.
Set up and operate manual and NC 3-axis milling machines, engine lathes, drill presses, saws, and basic sheet-metal fabrication tools.
Produce complex, tight-tolerance metallic and non-metallic prototype parts from engineering drawings, CAD models, sketches, or red-line markups.
Install prototype mechanical, structural, and electromechanical systems on prototype and test aircraft.
Perform structural modifications, retrofits, and airframe alterations in accordance with engineering dispositions, design change notices, and flight-test requirements.
Perform precision drilling, reaming, fastener installation, and fit checks on aircraft airframes.
Perform first-article dimensional inspections using precision measurement tools and maintain AS9100 traceability for raw materials, hardware, and tools.
Follow internal work instructions, complete traveler/router logbooks, and generate non-conformance reports.
Work with design and stress engineers to evaluate design for manufacturability and design for assembly.
Coordinate with purchasing to outsource production steps such as surface treatment and identify tooling, raw stock, and specialized hardware.
Perform sheet-metal repairs on rotorcraft and use knowledge of sheet-metal materials and repair techniques.
Fabricate aircraft modification parts from aluminum, steel alloys, stainless steel, copper, brass, and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals of various thicknesses.
Operate sheet-metal shop tools and equipment, including protractors, calipers, gauges, crimping tools and machines, forming machines, lathes, milling machines, saws, drill presses, and gas and heli-arc welding machines.
Perform other related duties as needed to meet the organization’s ongoing needs.