Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Aircraft Manufacturing Worker

🎯 Role Definition

A Jet Aircraft Manufacturing Worker is responsible for assembling, inspecting, and finishing jet aircraft components and subassemblies in a production environment. This role requires hands-on experience with airframe and engine installations, composite and metal fabrication processes, precision measurement, and adherence to aerospace quality and safety standards (FAA, EASA, IPC). Primary duties include reading blueprints and engineering specifications, performing riveting, drilling, bonding and trim operations, and completing first-article inspections while documenting work to traceability requirements. The ideal candidate combines technical craftsmanship with a disciplined safety mindset, strong teamwork skills, and a commitment to on-time delivery in a lean manufacturing environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Aircraft Assembly Technician / Production Assembler
Sheet Metal Fabricator or Industrial Mechanic
Military aircraft mechanic or avionics technician transitioning to civilian manufacturing

Advancement To:

Senior Airframe/Structural Assembler
Production Lead / Team Lead
Quality Inspector (Aerospace) / FAA Documentation Specialist
Manufacturing Engineer or Process Improvement Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Composites Technician
Tooling and Fixtures Technician
Maintenance Technician (in-shop)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Read, interpret and execute detailed blueprints, engineering drawings, manufacturing work instructions, and IPC standards to assemble jet aircraft airframe structures, control surfaces, and secondary structures to exact tolerances while documenting deviations and non-conformances according to company and regulatory procedures.
Perform precision metal fabrication tasks including drilling, countersinking, deburring, cutting, bending and forming of aluminum and titanium parts using manual and powered tools while ensuring hole positional accuracy and prescribed edge conditions for fatigue-critical components.
Execute solid riveting, flush and protruding rivet installation, and functionally rivet-repair operations using pneumatic rivet guns, bucking bars and rivet squeezers while monitoring installed rivet quality with air gauges and visual inspection criteria.
Complete composite layup, vacuum bagging, curing and post-cure trimming of carbon fiber and fiberglass components following resin handling safety procedures, autoclave cycles, and layup schedules to control ply orientation, fiber volume, and void content.
Set up and operate CNC-drill, routing and machining centers for aircraft structural components, performing tool changes, tool offsets, first-piece checks, and maintaining tool life records to sustain dimensional conformity.
Fit, align and secure subassemblies, bulkheads, ribs and stringers using jigs and fixtures while applying shimming, packing and torque specifications to achieve aerodynamic and structural alignment tolerances as specified by engineering.
Install flight control systems, cables, actuators and associated hardware, routing and securing control run paths and verifying freedom of movement and correct end-play per serviceable standards and rigging procedures.
Perform wiring harness installation and basic avionics integration tasks under supervision by routing, securing and terminating cable assemblies and connectors in accordance with wire routing diagrams, soldering practices and connection torque values.
Apply structural bonding, potting and sealant using aerospace-grade adhesives and sealants, including surface preparation, priming and controlled application to meet corrosion prevention and leak-proofing requirements for fuel and hydraulic systems.
Conduct in-process and final inspections using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, torque wrenches and bore gauges; capture inspection results in electronic quality systems; identify non-conforming items and initiate corrective action reports (CARs) as necessary.
Follow rigid calibration and traceability practices, maintaining inspection tools and gauges in calibrated condition, logging usage and supporting internal and external audits to ensure compliance with AS9100/ISO9001 and regulatory requirements.
Read and apply structural repair manuals (SRM), service bulletins (SBs) and engineering changes (ECOs) to perform field-level modifications and repair tasks while documenting all work for configuration management and FAA/EASA traceability.
Execute fuel tank, hydraulic line and bleed air component installations with strict adherence to contamination control practices, leak checks, and system functional testing protocols to ensure operational integrity and passenger safety.
Participate in first-article inspections and prototype builds by performing detailed assembly, finishing, and documenting dimensional and functional verification steps to validate processes for production rollout.
Use precision measurement systems and non-destructive inspection (NDI) techniques such as dye penetrant, eddy current and ultrasonic inspection to detect cracks, delaminations and subsurface defects in both metallic and composite structures.
Prepare and maintain manufacturing travelers, work orders and production documentation; update ERP/MRP systems with time, serial numbers, lot information and material traceability for each build step to support supply chain transparency.
Execute surface finishing tasks including sanding, filling, priming and masking for paint and corrosion protection processes while following environmental and safety controls for volatile organic compound (VOC) handling and disposal.
Apply lean manufacturing practices on the floor, suggesting and implementing continuous improvement ideas to reduce cycle time, eliminate waste, optimize kitting, and improve first-pass yield across assembly operations.
Coordinate with engineering, quality and material planners to resolve manufacturing discrepancies, request design clarifications, and escalate safety-critical findings requiring immediate stop-build or rework.
Train and mentor junior assemblers and cross-functional team members on standard work, safety procedures and proper tool handling to build bench strength and increase overall production capability.
Execute torqueing, staking and locking of critical fasteners per prescribed sequences and torque curves; verify torque values with calibrated tools and document results for structural certification and compliance.
Participate in scheduled maintenance, tool calibration checks and housekeeping to maintain shop safety, protect production tooling, and ensure uninterrupted assembly flow in a high-mix aerospace environment.

Secondary Functions

Support shop floor material kitting and pre-build staging to improve line throughput and ensure accurate parts availability for scheduled builds.
Assist quality and engineering teams during root-cause analysis events, corrective action planning, and implementation of preventive measures to minimize recurrence.
Provide input to tooling design requests and jigs improvement initiatives by offering hands-on feedback from daily assembly and fixturing challenges.
Participate in cross-training programs to expand capabilities across riveting, composites, finish, and avionics integration as production needs evolve.
Maintain a clean, organized work area, adhere to 5S principles and contribute to a culture of workplace safety and continuous improvement.
Support NPI (New Product Introduction) activities by providing manufacturing insights during design for manufacturability (DFM) reviews and pilot production runs.
Prepare basic production reports and assist in updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and job aids to reflect best practices and lessons learned.
Engage in ergonomic assessments and help implement improvements that reduce physical strain and improve technician productivity and retention.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Blueprint reading and interpretation of aerospace drawings (ASME Y14.5 GD&T knowledge preferred)
Airframe assembly: riveting, countersinking, drilling, deburring, and fastening to tight tolerances
Composite fabrication skills: layup, vacuum bagging, curing, trimming and sanding of carbon-fiber parts
Proficiency with handheld and bench tools, pneumatic rivet guns, bucking bars, torque wrenches, and drill presses
Experience with CNC drilling/machining setups, first-piece inspection and tool offset procedures
Non-destructive inspection (NDI) methods including dye penetrant, eddy current, and ultrasonic inspection basics
Knowledge of FAA/EASA regulations, AS9100 quality requirements, IPC/WHMA standards for wiring and installation
Familiarity with assembly documentation systems, work orders, travelers and ERP/MRP data entry
Use of precision metrology: calipers, micrometers, height gauges, bore gauges, and surface finish measurement
Structural bonding, sealant application and composite repair per SRM and engineering specifications
Torqueing and fastening per specified torque sequences and verification procedures
Avionics basic routing and connector termination knowledge (crimping, soldering and strain relief)
Experience implementing 5S, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement on the production floor

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality and airworthiness
Excellent communication and collaboration skills when interacting with engineering, quality, and production teams
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to escalate timely and propose practical corrective actions
Reliable time management and ability to meet production schedules in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment
Adaptability to changing priorities, engineering changes, and new product introductions
Mentoring and coaching ability for training junior technicians and maintaining knowledge transfer
Strong safety orientation and personal accountability for maintaining a hazard-free workplace
Initiative to identify process inefficiencies and lead small improvements with measurable impact

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
High school diploma or GED with vocational or technical training in aerospace manufacturing, sheet metal, or related trades.

Preferred Education:
Associate degree or technical certificate in Aerospace Technology, Aviation Maintenance, Manufacturing Technology, or Composites Technology. FAA A&P Certificate or equivalent industry certifications (e.g., NADCAP, IPC-A-610) are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aerospace Engineering Technology
Aviation Maintenance Technology (A&P)
Manufacturing Technology / Industrial Maintenance
Composite Materials and Repair Technology
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–7 years of hands-on experience in aircraft manufacturing, airframe assembly, composites, or military aircraft maintenance roles.

Preferred: 3+ years of direct jet aircraft assembly or production experience with demonstrable knowledge of FAA/EASA requirements, AS9100 processes, composite layup and metal fastening practices; prior experience in a high-mix, high-volume aerospace production environment is strongly preferred.