Military

SHEET METAL MECHANIC (AIRCRAFT)

Air National Guard Units ยท Department of the Air Force
๐Ÿ“ New Castle, Delaware WG-10 $39 - $46/hr
Posted: Apr 21, 2026 Deadline: May 12, 2026 (Closes in 21 days days left)

About This Position

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION. This National Guard position is for a SHEET METAL MECHANIC (AIRCRAFT), Position Description Number D1371000 and is part of the DE 166 Maintenance Squadron, National Guard.

Qualifications

Military Grades: E-3/SrA - E-6/TSgt Compatible Military Assignments: 2AXXX SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: WG-3806-10 - Must have at least 18 months experience or training in planning, layout, and construction skills to manufacture items and systems. Experience using more complicated shop tools and equipment. Experience in using metals and alloys.

Experience demonstrating the use of more complicated mathematical calculations and complicated measuring instruments. DEFINITION OF SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Specialized experience must be closely related to the work to be performed in the job for which you are applying and meet education, and other qualifications listed in the job announcement QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE: Length of time is not of itself qualifying. Candidates' experience should be evaluated on the basis of duties performed rather than strictly on the rank of the individual; however, established compatibility criteria/assignments must be followed.

The applicant's record of experience, training, and education must show possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to fully perform the duties of the position to be filled. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: For positions requiring the operation of motor vehicles, candidates must have a valid state driver's license for the state in which they live or are principally employed. For positions requiring a security clearance (Secret or Top Secret) the applicant must possess or be able to obtain a clearance within one year of appointment.

Major Duties

(1) 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. (2) Repairs cracks in aircraft skin.

Fabricates and fits patches to damaged areas, determining repair detail necessary to retain or 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. (3) 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 metal working 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. (4) 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. (5) 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. (6) 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. (7) 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. (8) 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. (9) 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 are accomplished in a timely manner. (10) 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. (11) 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. (12) 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. ***Contact HR for full copy of the Position Description

Education

There are no substitution of education for specialized experience at WG-10.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position.

If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Additional Information

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov)).

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 view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12941082 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/.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes: 1.

Your resume showing: Contact Information-your name and the best way to contact you. Relevant work experience-include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and describe how you meet the required qualifications of the job. Federal jobs should include series and grade. Education, certifications or licensures. ***Starting September 27, 2025, USAJOBS will only accept resumes that are two or fewer pages. Applicants who submit a resume longer than two pages may be found ineligible for further consideration.

  1. Other supporting documents: Resume (Required), DNG 51-R (Required) & any other supporting documents for qualification purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the SHEET METAL MECHANIC (AIRCRAFT) position at Air National Guard Units?
The salary range for this position is $39 - $46/hr. This is a WG-10 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the SHEET METAL MECHANIC (AIRCRAFT) job located?
This position is located in New Castle, Delaware. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
Military Grades: E-3/SrA - E-6/TSgt Compatible Military Assignments: 2AXXX SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: WG-3806-10 - Must have at least 18 months experience or training in planning, layout, and construction skills to manufacture items and systems. Experience using more complicated shop tools and equipment. Experience in using metals and alloys. Exper...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is May 12, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Secret clearance is required.
What does WG-10 mean?
WG-10 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.