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Posted: March 12, 2026 (1 day ago)

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SHEET METAL MECHANIC (AIRCRAFT/PAINTER)

Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command

Department of the Air Force

Fresh

Location

Salary

$82,478 - $96,065

per year

Closes

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working as a sheet metal mechanic focused on repairing and building aircraft parts, including painting and handling various metals and composites, while also serving in the Air Force Reserve with required monthly training.

It's a full-time civil service role with military benefits, ideal for experienced tradespeople who enjoy hands-on technical work and are committed to reserve duties.

A good fit would be someone with practical skills in fabrication and maintenance who can handle complex instructions independently.

Key Requirements

  • Ability to perform sheet metal mechanic duties for aircraft and painting with minimal supervision (screen-out element)
  • Knowledge of equipment, structures, and materials like metals (steel, aluminum, copper), composites (Kevlar, graphite), and honeycomb
  • Skill in reading and interpreting blueprints, diagrams, sketches, and technical specifications
  • Ability to select, cut, bend, install, and fabricate hardware for aircraft structural components
  • Proficiency in operating, maintaining, and accounting for hand and power tools like brakes, forming machines, and beading tools
  • Active membership in the Air Force Reserve unit, including one weekend of military training per month and potential active duty
  • Eligibility as an Air Reserve Technician (ART), with restrictions for retired military unless already assigned

Full Job Description

This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) position. ARTs are part of the regular career civil service and enjoy all the benefits granted to Federal employees in the competitive civil service.

In addition, ARTs are required to maintain their active membership in the AF Reserve unit where assigned. ARTs receive on average one weekend of military training per month.

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

In order to qualify, you must meet the quality level of experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standard Handbook Federal Wage System (FWS) for the WG-3800, Sheet Metal Mechanic Family.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook Federal Wage System (FWS) for the WG-3800 Sheet Metal Mechanic Family https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/classifying-federal-wage-system-positions/standards/3800/fws3806.pdf.

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.

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.

Ability to do the work of an Sheet Metal Mechanic (Aircraft/Painter) without more than normal supervision. (Screen Out Element) 2. Knowledge of equipment, structure, materials, etc.

(includes constructing repair, and forging associated with the Sheet Metal (Aircraft/Painter) trade such as but not limited to fabricating/repairing complex aircraft structural and support equipment components from a variety of materials such as galvanized or stainless steel, aluminum, copper sheet, honeycomb material, and alloys and a variety of composite materials such as Kevlar, graphite, polyamide, and poly-ethyl-ethyl-ketone (PEEK).

3. Ability to read and interpret instructions, blueprints, diagrams, sketches, and technical specification associated with the Sheet Metal (Aircraft/Painter) trade. 4.

Ability to select, cut, bend, install and fabricate complex hardware on all types of assemblies as determined by pattern and layout for aircraft and equipment structural components. 5.

Ability to operate, clean, maintain and account for all hand, power tools and equipment, such as slip roll forming machines, box and pan brakes, beading and tubing machines to fabricate and repair items.

6.

Skill in assemble, disassemble and fabricate components of various metal alloys, plastics, advanced composite materials and honeycomb material ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) position.

ARTs are eligible for 15 days active duty tour each year for which military leave is granted with full civilian pay.

Air Reserve units and members; are subject to immediate call to active duty in mobilization to meet a national emergency.

For additional information regarding ART positions and/or military qualifications, please call 1-800-257-1212. Retired military are usually ineligible for membership in the AF Reserve.

Retired military that have active AF Reserve assignments may apply provided they show assignment (position) on the application.

A military service member's statement of service/certification will be accepted IF a terminal leave form or DD214 cannot be provided.

The statement/certification should indicate member's separation from active duty is within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement.

It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin, your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e.

honorable). Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment.

Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.

FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Work encompasses strenuous physical exertion when bending and shaping the more complex items in handling larger and bulkier material.

Requires physical effort which includes prolonged standing on production lines; climbing up and down ladders and scaffolds; working in cramped and awkward positions while installing items; and reaching, lifting, and bending while using hand and powered tools in uncomfortable positions for extended periods.

Weight lifted seldom exceeds 50 pounds. Confined spaces and heights up to 65 feet.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Works both inside and outside and is subject to a moderate amount of noise and vibration from shop machines. When working outside is subject to a variety of weather conditions.

Subject to cuts, bruises, falls, and burns. Shop areas normally have adequate lighting and ventilation. 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. Major Duties:

Plan and layout work from engineering data, blueprints, sketches, drawings, specifications, and work orders in the repair, coating or manufacture of aircraft structural components and support equipment.

Apply principles of radial-line development combined with parallel-line development to devise and calculate patterns.

Maintain all types of composite working equipment such as programmable temperature-controlled units with heat blanket.

Prepare protective coatings by thinning, mixing, and blending primers, paints and other materials to meet proper flow, consistency, and other requirements.

Repair, modify, and manufacture fiberglass, bonded honeycomb, and composite/metal structural components that have contours that must be reestablished or that require the manufacture of a mold using the available part or pattern.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/12/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/12/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 5X-ARTE-12906250-168442-YMH