Top Paying Aircraft Structures Mechanic

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Sheet Metal Mechanic
Job Description

The Sheet Metal Mechanic performs structural modifications, repairs, and component fabrication on Dash-8 aircraft, ensuring all work meets aviation standards, engineering specifications, and safety requirements. This role focuses on aircraft sheet metal structures, including heavy maintenance and modification activities within an MRO environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural modifications on Dash-8 aircraft in accordance with engineering data, aviation standards, and production schedules.
• Shoot and buck rivets to precise specifications, ensuring proper installation and structural integrity.
• Identify and distinguish between different types of metals, including variations in structural strength and thickness, and select appropriate materials for each task.
• Perform accurate sheet metal bends following guidelines and specifications used in standard aviation practices.
• Remove existing rivets and fasteners from aircraft structures without causing damage to surrounding components.
• Fabricate and build aircraft components using a variety of sheet metal materials for use in structural and modification applications.
• Carry out structural repairs on aircraft, evaluating damage and determining which repairs are feasible and compliant with standards.
• Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and technical documentation to ensure accurate completion of builds and modifications.
• Follow both written and verbal instructions to complete assigned tasks on time and to quality standards.
• Support installation, fabrication, repair, depot maintenance, and heavy maintenance activities as required in an aviation MRO setting.
• Work from production schedules and work cards, completing assigned work within designated time frames.
• Maintain and use personal tools in accordance with company requirements, including keeping tools etched with unique identifiers and stored in shadowed toolboxes.
• Adhere to all safety procedures, quality standards, and regulatory requirements while working in the hangar and on aircraft.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of sheet metal experience on aircraft, or at least 8 years of experience if applying without an A license.
• Proven experience with aircraft sheet metal work, including modification, fabrication, repair, and heavy maintenance.
• Ability to shoot and buck rivets to specification and remove existing rivets from aircraft structures.
• Strong capability in performing sheet metal bends and forming operations according to aviation guidelines and specifications.
• Ability to recognize and work with different types of metals, including understanding structural strength and thickness variations.
• Demonstrated experience in aircraft modifications, depot maintenance, and MRO or heavy maintenance environments.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting blueprints, technical drawings, and work instructions.
• FAA Airframe or A&P license highly preferred.
• Ownership of required tools on the minimum tool list, with tools etched with a unique identifier and stored in a shadowed toolbox.
• Strong attention to detail, quality-focused mindset, and adherence to safety and regulatory standards.
• Ability to follow both written and verbal instructions and complete work within assigned time constraints.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working on Dash-8 or similar regional aircraft platforms.
• Previous experience supporting aircraft ISR or military modification programs.
• Background in aviation environments that include installation, fabrication, repair, depot maintenance, modifications, and heavy maintenance.
• Comfort working from production schedules and work cards in a structured MRO setting.
• Demonstrated reliability and desire for long-term employment and professional growth.
• Appreciation for a values-driven, safety-focused aviation culture.

Why Work Here?

You will join a long-established, family-owned aviation organization with a strong track record in both commercial and military sectors. The company emphasizes unity, enthusiasm, proactive urgency, constant innovation, and safety as core values. It focuses on building long-term relationships with both customers and employees through principle-based decisions and actions. You can expect a supportive culture that values long-term commitment, offers direct placement opportunities, and provides a stable environment where your skills and experience are respected and developed over time.

Work Environment

The role is based in a hangar within a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) environment that supports heavy maintenance and aircraft modifications. Work is performed on active aircraft using standard aviation sheet metal tools and equipment, following production schedules and work cards with defined time frames for task completion. The schedule follows a 5x8 workweek, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The culture emphasizes unity, enthusiasm, proactive urgency, innovation, safety, and mission success, creating a structured yet collaborative environment focused on high-quality, safe aircraft maintenance and modification.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Bridgewater, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $50.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Bridgewater,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 31, 2026.

About Aerotek

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meets their goals, skills and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role solving for companies’ construction, manufacturing and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Company Description

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Company Description

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.