SHEET METAL MECHANIC (AIRCRAFT) (Title 32)
Department: Department of the Air Force
Location(s): Kelly AFB, Texas
Salary Range: $31.42 - $36.64 Per Hour
Job Summary: This position is part of the 149th Maintenance Squadron located in San Antonio, TX. . Its primary purpose is to accomplish the inspection, repair, modification, installation and troubleshooting of sheet metal, fiberglass, bonded honeycomb and other structural materials and components as well as treatment and painting of missiles, aircraft powered and non powered Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE), and monitoring aircraft and equipment washing. Texas is one of 9 states with NO state income tax.
Major Duties:
- As a SHEET METAL MECHANIC (AIRCRAFT) (Title 32) with the Texas Air National Guard, your duties will include, but will not be limited to: Independently inspects aircraft and determines the nature and extent of repairs to be made, using applicable technical orders as guidelines. Works directly on the aircraft and its components, fulfilling such tasks as removal, repair, modification and installation of parts and assemblies, such as frames, stringers, longerons, bulkheads, beams, ribs, spars, skin, cowling, brackets, faring, access doors, panels and other related items. May be required to clear red"X" conditions. Repairs cracks in aircraft skin. Fabricates and fits patches to damaged areas, determining repair detail necessary to retainor restore original strength. Fits and trims components to aircraft such as landing gear doors, control surfaces, flaps access doors and other assemblies. Seals structures to make them pressure, water and weather tight. Troubleshoots aircraft structural repair situations in such areas as fuselage, tails, wings, cowlings, and stabilizers. Removes, forms, fits, and installs highly stressed and double contoured skins, using hand or powered drilling and cutting tools and other metalworking equipment. Determines shear and bearing load factors during rivet replacement. Installs heads up, regular, heat treated, high shear, and blind type aircraft rivets and fasteners, using pneumatic riveters, special tools and bucking bars. Removes damaged or broken fasteners and receptacles. Aligns and balances component structures and air frame using precision measuring instruments and levels. Performs metal-to-metal bonding where delamination of surfaces and core material occurs in control surfaces. Inspects damage or deterioration and determines repair or replacement of plastic, fiberglass, composites, bonded structures, and bonded honeycomb assemblies using powered and nonpowered tools and equipment. Repairs or replaces retaining frames and installs plastic laminated blanks. Designs and constructs forming fixtures. Manufactures and ensures that metal tubing, conduits and cables are fabricated and tested in accordance with drawings and specifications. Fabricates and repairs flexible control cables. Performs fabrication of local manufactured items requited for aircraft and equipment. Work includes layout, bending, cutting, forming and assembling. Devise and calculates patterns employing the principles of triangulation, radial and parallel line development. Sets up and operates power shears, brakes, rolls,dimpling machines, drill presses, saws, portable powered tools, specific detection and measuring equipment, and other metal working equipment, including use of other tools of the trade. Requisitions necessary supplies and equipment for the activity. Prepares and designs layout, dies, jigs, and templates necessary to carry out fabrication repair or modification of aircraft, engine, AGE, and other equipment. Works from blueprints, technical orders diagrams, and work orders.(10) Identifies metal corrosion. Performs necessary testing to identify type corrosion present by examination with magnifying equipment, chemical and mechanical methods and treats aircraft engines, in accordance with applicable technical publications. Ensures that work assignments received from supervisor or maintenance control area accomplished in a timely manner. Removes corrosion by mechanical and chemical procedures to include use of portable powered (electric and pneumatic) sanders,buffers, brushes, bead blasters, vacuum cleaners, scrapers, grinders, acids, caustics, solvents, alcohols and other agents used in corrosion control processes. Treats metal with chemical procedures, such as acids and caustics for passivation and etching, to protect metal from oxidation. Performs such functions as pickling of metals to prepare for good bonding with primer coat of protective materials.(12) Applies protective coatings, markings, and decals after proper removal of corrosion and treatment of metals. Uses conventional paint spray equipment, electrostatic spray equipment, brushes and special applicators when applying primers and surface coatings.(13) Identifies, blends, stores, controls, and disposes of hazardous materials such as acids, caustics, alcohols, solvents, cleaners, primers and surface coatings used for corrosion removal, treatment and protection in accordance with applicable directives. Accomplishes corrosion and washing inspections within schedule provided to ensure compliance with the monthly and weekly maintenance plan. May conduct training on proper methods and procedures of wash rack operations. Prepares for and participates in various types of readiness evaluations such as MEI, ORI, IG and UE inspections mobility and command support exercises. Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications: In describing your experience in your resume, please be clear and specific. Assumptions regarding your experience will not be made. To be considered for qualification, your resume must include relevant experience with beginning and ending dates of employment/experience reflecting the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: To qualify at the WG-10 grade level, your resume must include relevant experience with beginning and ending dates of employment experience reflecting experience or training in planning, layout, and construction skills 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 in using metals including stainless steel, copper sheet, magnesium, honeycomb material and alloys. Experience demonstrating the use of more complicated mathematical calculations and complicated measuring instruments.
How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To preview the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12797282 A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Application Deadline: 2025-12-03