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 the production plan into daily assignments, leads shift-start prework communication, removes barriers, provides technical direction, and verifies work is completed to approved data, quality requirements, and schedule commitments. The lead also performs hands-on aircraft work while tracking team progress, documentation, inspections, material needs, and emerging risks. The position coordinates technicians and supporting departments, plans and assigns work, and provides technical guidance and troubleshooting. It includes performing and overseeing structural repairs, modifications, installations, sheet-metal fabrication, precision drilling and reaming, fastening, and approved composite repairs. The lead supports safe, compliant production, accurate maintenance documentation and shift turnover, technician development, and continuous improvement. Work may take place in confined spaces, at heights, on elevated platforms, and in varying hangar or ramp conditions. Flexible schedules, alternate shifts, weekends, and overtime may be required based on business needs.

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.
Comply with applicable FAA, OSHA, EPA, company, customer, state, and federal requirements.
Wear required PPE, including a respirator when medically qualified and required by the task or OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134.
Work in confined spaces, at heights, on elevated platforms, and in varying hangar or ramp conditions.
Lift, push, pull, position, and maneuver tools, equipment, materials, and aircraft components as required by the job.
Meet applicable 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.

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 among technicians, the Supervisor, Planning, Quality, Engineering, Materials, and supporting departments.
Review work packages and production priorities before shift start, then create a daily plan covering assignments, technical data, tooling, materials, inspection points, dependencies, and completion targets.
Lead a shift-start prework meeting covering safety, 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 structures 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 tooling, materials, hardware, consumables, access, and support are available; escalate shortages and support accurate parts ordering.
Coordinate in-process and final inspections with Quality and prevent work from advancing 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 reporting on 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.
Lead by example, communicate priorities clearly, maintain awareness of active tasks, encourage technicians to raise concerns, and make decisions within approved authority.
Stop work when safety, technical data, quality, or airworthiness requirements are unclear; protect schedule without compromising approved data, inspections, or workmanship.
Recognize strong performance, address performance or conduct concerns, and elevate matters requiring formal supervisory action.
Perform other duties consistent with the position and business needs.