Department of the Air Force

SHEET METAL MECHANIC (AIRCRAFT/PAINTER)

McGuire AFB, New Jersey Full time

SHEET METAL MECHANIC (AIRCRAFT/PAINTER)

Department: Department of the Air Force

Location(s): McGuire AFB, New Jersey

Salary Range: $71563 - $83605 Per Year

Job Summary: Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to plan, lay out, fabricate, modify, repair, assemble, and install complex aircraft sheet metal and composite honeycomb adhesive bonded parts, items, and assemblies that have combined straight and curved edges of irregular curves and planes.

Major Duties:

  • Plans and lays out work from blueprints, sketches, drawings, specifications, and work orders in manufacturing aircraft sheet metal structures which have combined straight and curved edges, and irregular angles, planes, and curves. Examines aircraft sheet metal structures to locate cracks, breaks, holes, bulges, dents, and loose or missing rivets. Determines the type and extent of repairs needed to restore original strength to components such as frames, stringers, bulkheads, spars, ribs, and stiffeners. Prepares various surfaces of interior and exterior aircraft sheet metal structures by mechanically and chemically removing old paint and rust, filling cracks, sanding, and applying fillers and base coats. Repairs, modifies, and manufactures honeycomb adhesive bonded composite aircraft structures that have contours that must be reestablished or that require the manufacture of a mold using the available part or pattern. Utilizes safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintains asafe and clean work environment. Uses and assures proper fit of required safety equipment and clothing. Uses and maintains tools. Uses basic hand and power tools such as hammers, chisels, hand snips, band and circle saws, squaring shears, seamers, bar folders, brakes, and stakes.

Qualifications: In order to qualify, you must meet the quality level of experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook X-118C. QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C for the WG-3800 Metal Work Family. Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most blue-collar positions, you must meet any screen-out element listed and show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time. The screen out element for this position is the ability to do the work of a SHEET METAL MECHANIC (AIRCRAFT/PAINTER) without more than normal supervision. JOB ELEMENTS: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of the characteristics and properties of any metals or composite materials used in the trade, e.g., stainless steel, magnesium, honeycomb and alloys; of advanced shop mathematics and principles of radial-line development combined with parallel-line development to calculate and devise patterns involving combined straight and curved edges or irregular curves, angles, and planes; and of a wide range of trade practices, accepted surface preparation and coating methods, and paints and thinning additives. 2. Knowledge of safety and environmental standards, regulations, and requirements. 3. Skill in planning, laying out work in manufacturing aircraft sheet metal parts and components that have combined straight and curved edges, and irregular angles, planes, and curves; in using complicated measuring instruments such as protractors, calipers, snap ring, height, depth, dial, and screw pitch gauges; and other hand measuring devices; in selecting and applying the proper coating materials for a variety of sheet metal surfaces of aircraft; and in using a wide variety of hand and power tools such as crimping, burring, turning, and bending machines, and soldering and welding machines; and painting tools such as brushes, rollers, spray guns, graining devices, viscosity tester, thickness gauges, and compressors. 4. Skill in reading and interpreting blueprints, diagrams, sketches, and technical specifications. 5. Ability to examine aircraft sheet metal and composite structures to locate cracks, breaks, holes, bulges, dents, and loose or missing rivets and determine the type and extent of repairs needed to restore original strength; and to make repairs by manufacturing and installing new parts and reinforcing, patching, and replacing defective parts, and mixing and applying two-part adhesives and sealants. 6. Ability to use computer terminals to maintain records and document actions. PHYSICAL EFFORT: Work encompasses strenuous physical exertion when bending and shaping the more complex items in handling larger and bulkier items. Physical exertion is moderate and includes prolonged standing; climbing up and down ladders and scaffolding; working in cramped and awkward positions while installing items; and reaching, lifting, and bending while using hand and powered tools. Weight lifted seldom exceeds 50 pounds. WORKING CONDITIONS: Works both inside and outside and is subjected to a moderate amount of noise and vibration from shop machines and to a variety of weather conditions. Subject to cuts, bruises, falls, and burns. Required to wear safety glasses when performing eye hazardous operations. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How to Apply: The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/15/2025 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12847057 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

Application Deadline: 2025-12-15