Lead Structures Aircraft Mechanic

Embraer•Fort Worth, TX

About The Position

The Lead Structures Technician is a hands-on working lead responsible for safely executing and coordinating aircraft structural repair, modification, fabrication, and approved composite repair activities. The role translates production plans into daily assignments, leads prework communication, removes barriers, provides technical direction, and verifies that work meets approved data, quality requirements, and schedule commitments. The Lead also performs aircraft work while tracking team progress, documentation, inspections, material needs, and emerging risks. The position coordinates the assigned Structures work area with technicians and supporting functions, including the Supervisor, Planning, Quality, Engineering, and Materials. It includes preparing daily work plans, assigning and rebalancing tasks, coaching technicians, coordinating inspections, maintaining accurate work records, and communicating status and shift turnover. The Lead supports safety, quality, production control, and continuous improvement while escalating issues that require additional authority or technical support.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 8 years of aircraft structures experience in maintenance, repair, overhaul, or modification; equivalent depth of demonstrated experience may be considered.
Demonstrated proficiency in structural sheet-metal repair, fabrication, modification, precision drilling, fastening systems, and interpretation of approved technical data.
Ability to communicate clearly, coach others, prioritize multiple work fronts, and make sound decisions within established procedures.
Ability to use electronic maintenance, work-package, labor-charging, and technical-publication systems.
Ability to work in confined spaces, at heights, on elevated platforms, and in varying hangar or ramp conditions.
Ability to lift, push, pull, position, and maneuver tools, equipment, materials, and aircraft components as required.
Ability to work flexible schedules, alternate shifts, weekends, and overtime based on business needs.
Wear required PPE, including a respirator when medically qualified and required by the task or OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134.
Meet applicable drug and alcohol testing, badge access, customer security, and safety-training requirements.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience as a lead, crew chief, senior technician, or recognized technical focal.
FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate; an applicable FAA Repairman Certificate may be considered where permitted.
Commercial transport aircraft experience, particularly heavy-check or structural modification work.
Experience with structural bonding, approved composite repair, jig or fixture work, precision layout, and Lockbolt/Huck installation.
Working knowledge of production planning, Lean methods, visual management, and structured problem solving.
Experience coordinating engineering dispositions, parts fabrication, tooling, and Quality inspection requirements.

Responsibilities

Lead the assigned Structures work area and coordinate with technicians, the Supervisor, Planning, Quality, Engineering, Materials, and supporting departments.
Review work packages and production priorities before shift start; prepare a daily plan covering assignments, technical data, tools, materials, inspections, dependencies, and completion targets.
Conduct a prework communication meeting covering safety, daily priorities, critical-path work, resource constraints, quality considerations, and technician feedback.
Assign work according to skill, authorization, workload, and aircraft priorities, and rebalance assignments as conditions change.
Perform hands-on structural work while providing technical direction, coaching, and troubleshooting.
Perform and oversee structural repairs, modifications, installations, sheet-metal fabrication, precision drilling and reaming, fastening, and approved composite repairs using current approved data.
Interpret and apply SRMs, AMMs, engineering orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications, work instructions, and customer requirements.
Confirm availability of tooling, materials, hardware, consumables, access, and support; escalate shortages and support accurate parts ordering.
Coordinate in-process and final inspections with Quality and ensure work does not proceed beyond inspection hold points.
Monitor workmanship, tolerance control, FOD prevention, tool control, PPE, housekeeping, and compliance with safety and environmental requirements.
Ensure discrepancies, non-routines, labor charging, turnover notes, and maintenance records are accurate, complete, and updated during the shift.
Provide shift turnover and status reports covering completed and ongoing work, blockers, engineering requests, parts, inspection needs, and next-shift priorities.
Mentor technicians through demonstrations, task planning, feedback, and on-the-job development; promote accountability and respectful teamwork.
Identify production, safety, quality, staffing, or schedule risks early and escalate them with a recommended recovery plan.
Support Lean, P3E, standardized work, root-cause problem solving, and continuous-improvement activities.
Follow team standards for safety, quality, attendance, documentation, and conduct; communicate priorities, maintain awareness of active work, and encourage technicians to raise concerns.
Make decisions within approved authority and stop work when safety, technical data, quality, or airworthiness requirements are unclear.
Recognize strong performance, address performance or conduct concerns promptly, and elevate issues requiring formal supervisory action.
Protect the schedule without compromising approved data, inspection requirements, or workmanship.
Perform other duties consistent with the position and business needs.
Comply with applicable FAA, OSHA, EPA, company, customer, state, and federal requirements; meet drug and alcohol testing, badge access, customer security, and safety-training requirements.
Demonstrate Embraer values, protect confidential and proprietary information, support a respectful and accountable workplace, meet attendance and schedule expectations, and maintain high standards of safety, integrity, quality, and customer service.