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Aircraft Technician

As an Aircraft Technician at Scaled Composites, you will play a critical role in the assembly, maintenance, and testing of general and prototype aircraft. This position involves hands-on work with advanced composites, avionics, and propulsion systems to ensure the highest standards of safety, performance, and quality. You will collaborate closely with engineers, designers, and other technicians to support innovative aerospace projects from concept through flight. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, safety-conscious, and passionate about contributing to breakthrough aviation technologies in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Category: Manufacturing Operations

Location: Mojave, CA

Citizenship Required: United States Citizenship

Schedule: 9/80 Work Schedule

Benefits: 100% Paid Benefits and 401k Matching

Founded by Burt Rutan in 1982, Scaled Composites has been in the business of Designing, Building, and Flying unique airplanes (and occasionally spacecraft) for now over 40+ years. We are a modestly sized company, constantly building small teams of empowered and capable employees to achieve extraordinary accomplishments in aerospace. From the farthest (Global Flyer), to the largest (Stratolaunch), to the highest (SpaceShipOne, Proteus), and many in between, Scaled's track record of innovation has pushed against and expanded some of the most stubborn corners of the flight envelope.

Duties and Responsibilities may include, but not limited to:

• Executes both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance operations on aircraft, encompassing meticulous inspections, repairs, and troubleshooting activities.
• Conducts thorough inspections of aircraft systems, components, and structures to identify any issues or potential problems.
• Diagnoses and repair electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems.
• Ensures proper working condition of mechanical systems before flight.
• Maintains meticulous records of maintenance, repairs, inspections, and any reports related to parts or services.
• Performs detailed inspections on engines, wings, propellers, tails, and other aircraft parts to detect and address issues such as cracks, corrosion, or defects.
• Consults maintenance manuals and specifications to identify correct operations and specifications for replacements or repairs.
• Ensures proper function of engines and operating systems via a variety of tests and tools.
• Identifies and resolve mechanical problems based on visual inspections or reports from pilot or crew.
• Handles the fabrication, assembly, installation, and testing of aircraft systems parts, sub-assemblies, and assemblies, including hydraulic, pneumatic, oxygen, fuel, aircraft tube fabrication, flight control, and landing gear components, often with minimal supervision.
• Operates ground testing and support equipment with precision, adhering to established standards such as AC 43-13, technical manuals, blueprints, or sketches for acceptable systems installation methods, techniques, and practices.
• Ability to assist Shop operations with fabrication tasks when workload allows.

Basic Qualifications for an Aircraft Technician 1-2, Entry:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Foundational to working knowledge of aircraft maintenance tasks and procedures
• Performs routine, standardized tasks under close to general supervision
• Assists senior technician sand Crew Chiefs; takes on more advanced tasks at Level 2
• Resolves basic issues and escalates complex problems as needed
• Work is regularly reviewed to ensure quality, safety, and compliance
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.

Basic Qualifications for an Aircraft Technician 3-4, Experienced:

• High school diploma or equivalent and minimum of 2 years of aircraft mechanical maintenance experience.
• Valid A&P License
• Full to advanced knowledge of aircraft maintenance with the ability to apply expertise to complex, non-routine problems
• Works with limited to minimal supervision; independently performs routine and specialized tasks
• Performs varied, moderately complex to complex duties and resolves most technical issues
• Serves as a technical resource and may act as a Crew Chief or POC, providing guidance or training to more junior technicians
• Exercises sound judgment, as errors may be difficult to detect and could result in significant cost, material, or equipment impact
• Collaborates frequently across departments and with external organizations or customers
• Communicates on matters of moderate to high importance, requiring professionalism, tact, and effective coordination
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working on experimental or home built aircraft
• Flight line or flight test experience
• Machine shop experience
• Previous or current DOD Security Clearance
• Valid A&P License
• Prior General Aviation Experience
• Inspection Authorization

Essential Job Functions:

• Occasional lifting 50+ lbs.
• Must have sufficient agility to work in the interior of an aircraft structure. Will need to bend, stoop, squat, and/or kneel to occasionally work in cramped, tiring, and uncomfortable positions.
• Ability to work overhead for prolonged periods of time including lifting up to 10-15 pounds.
• Standing 95% of the day, sometimes 8.5 – 12 hours per day.
• Required to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment for an assigned task.
• Work with composite materials such as epoxy resin systems, fiberglass, carbon fiber, and foam/core products. Will also work closely with chemicals, such as acetone and alcohol.
• May be exposed to dirt, oil, fuel, grease, and hydraulic fluids.
• Able to adapt to altered schedules.
• Occasional pushing/pulling of heavy tools and tables (75-100 + lbs., with assistance).
• Manual dexterity to handle small parts, and tools and to manipulate composite material to various shapes using pressure.
• Repetitive hand and arm motions including, but not limited to, trimming, sanding, and/or grinding of materials.
• Occasional sitting computer work
• Vision at close distances and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to operate a forklift and/or other heavy machinery including occasional driving of company-owned vehicles.
• Must be able to pass and maintain 'pass' status on OSHA-approved Pulmonary Fitness Test (PFT)in order to wear a respirator for prolonged periods of time.
• Work on varied work surfaces/environments, including but not limited to working in a busy shop environment, cold room, or in/on aircraft structures including raised platforms including but not limited to ladders, scaffolding, and stairs.
• Work may be performed inside or outside of buildings. May be exposed to changing weather conditions.
• Must be able to read and understand SDS.

Hourly Rate:

Aircraft Technician 1-2, Entry: $21 - $42

Aircraft Technician 3-4, Experienced $30 - $60