Lead Bonder

AAR Corp•Hot Springs, AR

About The Position

This working-level position requires a high level of aviation maintenance expertise and is directly responsible for maintenance, workmanship, and training under the employee’s direct oversight. The Lead Bonder bonds dissimilar-material assemblies, parts, skins, components, and structures made of composite or metal into semifinished or finished products. Work may include laying out articles, cutting materials to size, applying bonding agents, and performing bagging and debulking. The employee may operate autoclaves, hot bonders, and ovens to complete bonding cycles, controlling heat, pressure, and timing according to material and bonding-agent specifications. Additional tasks include sanding, deburring, smoothing, applying sealing resins to cut or exposed edges, monitoring finished-product quality, and repairing bonded composite, metal, or laminate products using inspection and rework instructions. The role oversees maintenance practices for approximately 10 technicians maximum. The Lead Bonder ensures employees under their direct oversight perform maintenance using approved data, coaches and mentors employees on maintenance techniques and procedures, communicates needs to a supervisor or manager, and processes maintenance forms, authorizing them by signature and date after work is completed. The position also requires familiarity with Repair Station and Quality Control Manuals, reporting suspected un-airworthy conditions to the Director of Quality Assurance, verifying parts received from stock are properly identified, and ensuring shelf-life materials are not expired. Outdated materials must be presented to the production lead and/or inspector for identification as nonconforming and proper disposition. Work must follow applicable aircraft standards, manufacturer-approved data, FAA-approved or accepted data, industry standards, or standard shop practices.

Requirements

Read, write, and understand English fluently.
Ability to read and interpret maintenance data.
Ability to navigate and read drawings.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
High level of aviation maintenance expertise.

Responsibilities

Bond dissimilar-material composite or metal assemblies, parts, skins, components, and structures into semifinished or finished products.
Lay out articles, cut parts or materials to size, apply liquid or solid bonding agents, and perform bagging and debulking processes.
Operate autoclaves, hot bonders, and ovens as needed to complete bonding cycles.
Set and operate controls to manage heat, pressure, and timing according to material and bonding-agent specifications.
Sand, deburr, and smooth areas; apply sealing resins to cut or exposed edges.
Monitor and verify the quality of finished products.
Repair bonded composite, metal, or laminate products using inspection and rework instructions.
Ensure personnel under direct oversight perform maintenance in accordance with approved data.
Coach and mentor employees on proper maintenance techniques and procedures.
Communicate needs to a supervisor or manager.
Process maintenance forms and authorize them by signature and date after work is completed.
Remain familiar with the contents and procedures described in the Repair Station and Quality Control Manuals.
Notify the Director of Quality Assurance of suspected un-airworthy conditions found during work.
Ensure parts received from stock are properly identified.
Ensure shelf-life materials are not expired and present outdated materials to the production lead and/or inspector for nonconforming identification and proper disposition.
Perform work in accordance with proper aircraft standards, manufacturer-approved data, FAA-approved or accepted data, industry standards, or standard shop practices.
Oversee maintenance practices for approximately 10 technicians maximum.