Lead Structures Technician

Lead Structures Technician

The Lead Structures Technician oversees and coordinates the daily activities of structures technicians and sheet metal mechanics while performing complex structural repairs and modifications on commercial aircraft. This role combines hands-on airframe maintenance with leadership responsibilities, ensuring that all work is completed safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with regulatory and customer requirements in a fast-paced hangar environment.

Responsibilities:

• Lead, direct, and coordinate the daily activities of structures technicians and sheet metal mechanics to ensure efficient workflow.
• Assign work tasks, monitor productivity, and ensure maintenance activities are completed according to schedules and work packages.
• Perform structural repairs and modifications on commercial aircraft airframes, including fuselage, wings, empennage, floor structures, doors, nacelles, and flight control surfaces.
• Read and interpret Structural Repair Manuals (SRM), Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMM), engineering orders, blueprints, and technical drawings to determine appropriate repair procedures.
• Assist with heavy maintenance checks, including C-checks and D-checks, and ensure structural tasks are completed accurately and on time.
• Perform and oversee drilling, reaming, countersinking, riveting, fastener installation, sheet metal fabrication, and structural assembly operations.
• Conduct corrosion inspections, damage assessments, and structural repairs in accordance with approved data and maintenance standards.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Quality Control, Planning, and Production teams to ensure all maintenance requirements are understood and met.
• Troubleshoot structural discrepancies and develop repair solutions within approved limits and regulatory guidelines.
• Verify that completed work meets company, FAA, and customer requirements, and address any discrepancies promptly.
• Mentor and train junior technicians, providing on-the-job guidance on structural repair procedures, techniques, and best practices.
• Maintain accurate maintenance documentation and ensure proper completion of work records and associated paperwork.
• Promote a safe work environment and enforce company safety policies, procedures, and best practices throughout the hangar.
• Support urgent AOG (aircraft on ground) work by responding quickly to maintenance needs and helping return aircraft to service as soon as possible.

Essential Skills:

• Minimum of 3 years of aircraft structures experience.
• Hands-on experience with aircraft structural modification and repair.
• Strong experience in sheet metal work and aircraft structures, including repair and fabrication.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, SRM, AMM, engineering orders, and technical drawings.
• Proficiency in drilling, reaming, countersinking, riveting, and installing a variety of fasteners, including Hi-Loks and other structural fasteners.
• Experience with aircraft sheet metal repair and structural assembly on airframes.
• Understanding of aircraft maintenance practices and airframe systems.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with a strong sense of urgency, particularly on AOG work.
• Previous team lead or supervisory experience in an aircraft maintenance or structures environment.
• Capability to verify work against regulatory and customer requirements and maintain accurate maintenance documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety and quality.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Commercial aircraft experience preferred, though experience on any aircraft platform is considered.
• Experience supporting heavy maintenance checks such as C-checks and D-checks.
• Familiarity with FAA requirements and quality standards related to structural repairs.
• Ability to mentor and train junior technicians and support their professional development.
• Ownership of appropriate tools for the role; tools must be stored in a box but do not need to be shadowed or etched.
• Strong communication and coordination skills for working with Engineering, Quality Control, Planning, and Production teams.
• A&P knowledge or experience in aircraft maintenance environments is advantageous.

Why Work Here?

This opportunity offers long-term stability in a dynamic aviation maintenance environment, with competitive compensation and the chance to work on challenging, high-impact projects such as AOG and heavy checks. You will join a culture that values safety, quality, and teamwork, provides opportunities to grow your leadership skills, and encourages flexibility and collaboration across technical disciplines.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a hangar environment focused on commercial aircraft maintenance and structural repair. The current schedule is a day shift, Monday through Friday, with the possibility of adding second and third shifts, so flexibility on shift assignments is appreciated, though candidates with specific shift requirements can still be considered. The role involves hands-on work with sheet metal, fasteners, and aircraft structures, often in a fast-paced setting where returning aircraft to service quickly is a priority. Technicians use their own tools, which must be kept in a toolbox but do not need to be shadowed or etched. The environment emphasizes adherence to safety policies, coordination with multiple technical teams, and working around active aircraft and maintenance operations.

Job Type & Location:

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Birmingham, AL.

Pay and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $45.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. 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 Birmingham, AL.

Application Deadline:

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 2026.