Sheet Metal Mechanic (Aircraft)

Air National Guard Units • Eielson AFB, AK

6d

About The Position

The Sheet Metal Mechanic independently inspects aircraft, determines the nature and extent of needed repairs, and performs structural maintenance, fabrication, modification, and installation work using applicable technical orders, drawings, diagrams, and work orders. Work includes repairing aircraft structures and components; fabricating and fitting patches and parts; aligning and balancing structures; working with rivets, fasteners, tubing, conduits, cables, composites, plastics, fiberglass, and bonded honeycomb assemblies; and designing fixtures, dies, jigs, and templates.

The position also involves identifying and treating corrosion, applying protective coatings and markings, handling and disposing of hazardous materials in accordance with directives, and potentially operating the wash rack. The employee ensures assigned work is completed on time and may assist with training and maintaining technical publication files. Alaska Air National Guard membership is required. The position is an excepted, enlisted National Guard technician appointment, with a minimum military grade of Senior Airman (E4) and a maximum of Technical Sergeant (E6). Indefinite employment is temporary and is expected to last more than one year but no more than five consecutive years; indefinite employees may be separated with 30 days’ notice and may be converted to permanent without further competition. The announcement is open until filled, with eligibility reviews every 30 days.

Requirements

• Alaska Air National Guard membership is required.
• U.S. citizenship and a Secret clearance are required; the employee must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.
• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation is required.
• For WG-10, at least 18 months of experience or training in planning, layout, and construction to manufacture items and systems with dovetailed seams, set-in-bottom seams, burred-bottom seams, or wired or lock seams.
• Experience using more complicated shop tools and equipment.
• Experience working with metals including stainless steel, copper sheet, magnesium, honeycomb material, and alloys.
• Experience using more complicated mathematical calculations and measuring instruments.
• Knowledge of aircraft design and structure, testing procedures, and prevention of metal corrosion.
• Skill in using various complicated tools and equipment.
• Knowledge of metal strength characteristics, including annealing, tempering, and normalizing, for selecting proper repair materials.
• Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers and contribute to a cooperative working environment.
• Ability to perform the physical effort and work under the conditions described, including lifting equipment and components up to 50 pounds and, with assistance, up to 100 pounds.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• A qualifying conviction for a crime of domestic violence prevents an individual from performing this position’s duties.
• Applicants must provide complete employment dates and hours worked per week for each civilian and military employment occurrence; year-only dates may result in disqualification. Resume duties must substantiate the required experience in detail.
• Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required, including hours outside the normal duty day.
• The incumbent is subject to termination due to loss or reduction in funding for the position.

Nice To Haves

• Structural Maintenance experience.

Responsibilities

• Independently inspect aircraft and determine the nature and extent of repairs using applicable technical orders.
• Remove, repair, modify, and install aircraft structural parts and assemblies, including frames, skin, control surfaces, doors, panels, and related components.
• Repair aircraft skin cracks; fabricate and fit patches; and determine repair details needed to retain or restore original strength.
• Fit and trim aircraft components and seal structures to make them pressure-, water-, and weather-tight.
• Troubleshoot structural repair issues in aircraft fuselage, tails, wings, cowlings, and stabilizers.
• Remove, form, fit, and install highly stressed and double-contoured skins using drilling, cutting, and metalworking tools.
• Determine shear and bearing load factors during rivet replacement; install aircraft rivets and fasteners; and remove damaged or broken fasteners and receptacles.
• Align and balance component structures and airframes using precision measuring instruments and levels.
• Perform metal-to-metal bonding and inspect, repair, or replace plastic, fiberglass, composite, bonded, and honeycomb structures and assemblies.
• Repair or replace retaining frames and install plastic laminated blanks.
• Design and construct forming fixtures; fabricate and test metal tubing, conduits, and cables to drawings and specifications; and fabricate or repair flexible control cables.
• Fabricate locally manufactured items for aircraft and equipment, including layout, bending, cutting, forming, and assembly.
• Develop patterns using triangulation and radial and parallel line development principles.
• Set up and operate metalworking equipment, including shears, brakes, rolls, dimpling machines, drill presses, saws, portable power tools, and measuring and detection equipment.
• Requisition supplies and equipment and prepare layouts, dies, jigs, and templates for fabrication, repair, or modification work.
• Identify corrosion, perform testing to determine its type, and remove corrosion using mechanical and chemical procedures.
• Treat metals using chemical procedures, prepare surfaces for protective coatings, and apply coatings, markings, decals, primers, and surface finishes.
• Identify, blend, store, control, and dispose of hazardous materials used in corrosion removal, treatment, and protection.
• Potentially operate the wash rack and complete corrosion and washing inspections according to the maintenance plan.
• Potentially train others in wash rack operations and assist with training drill-status Guard members and maintaining technical publication files.
• Complete assignments from the supervisor or maintenance control in a timely manner and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The job posting states that federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Direct Deposit Program participation is required if selected for a technician position.

What This Job Offers

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