How to hire an aerospace mechanic

How to hire an aerospace mechanic, step by step

Here's a step-by-step aerospace mechanic hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an aerospace mechanic job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new aerospace mechanic
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your aerospace mechanic job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an aerospace mechanic for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an aerospace mechanic to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an aerospace mechanic that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of aerospace mechanics.

   Type of Aerospace Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Aerospace Mechanic	Aerospace engineering and operations technicians operate and maintain equipment used in developing, testing, and producing new aircraft and spacecraft. Increasingly, these workers are using computer-based modeling and simulation tools and processes in their work.	$13-28
   Engineering Operations Technician	An engineering operations technician provides technical support to engineers and staff. Their responsibilities include maintaining electrical and mechanical equipment, troubleshooting problems, understanding blueprints, performing installations and repairs, conducting regular inspections, and keeping daily operational readings... Show more	$30-66
   Field Operations Technician	Field operations technicians handle all on-site activities of services or operations provided or done by a company. The field operations technician is responsible for accomplishing daily tasks set by the company or requested by a client or customer... Show more	$13-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Test Equipment
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Technical Data
   • Rivet
   • Technical Publications
   • Aircraft Systems
   • Maintenance Problems
   • Maintenance Actions
   • Drill Press
   • Maintenance Procedures
   • Aircraft Maintenance
   • Unscheduled Maintenance
   • Jigs

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead team of airmen on inspections of nuclear-certify bomb lifts.
   • Used expertise to troubleshoot and maintain aircraft structures, systems, as well as aircraft components.
   • Operate, inspect, test and troubleshot aircraft support equipment to locate defects and determine serviceability.
   • Supervise airmen and support on the job training for the technicians.
   • Perform inspections on vertical stab spars and installation of vertical stabs, rudder servo.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your aerospace mechanic job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An aerospace mechanic can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, aerospace mechanics' average salary in georgia is 46% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level aerospace mechanics 51% less than senior-level aerospace mechanics.
   • Certifications. An aerospace mechanic with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an aerospace mechanic's salary.

   Average aerospace mechanic salary

   $42,149yearly

   $20.26 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level aerospace mechanic salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing an aerospace mechanic job description

   An aerospace mechanic job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an aerospace mechanic job description:

   Aerospace mechanic job description example

   - Prepping engines for test, testing and de-prepping engines
   - Trains to become a certified test cell operator. Responsibilities include performing certification testing IAW O/H manual. Troubleshooting engine failures, replacing failed components, and completion of test documentation
   - Working as a motivated member of a specialized team to operate the test cell and the engine under test in accordance with the test instructions or tech orders.
   - Willingness to learn new tasks and cross train on multiple engine lines and other complementary skills and seeks endorsements for those skills as needed to support production requirements
   - Participates in the cross training of other technicians as needed to support production requirements.
   - Responsible for observing all applicable safety requirements and reporting immediately any unsafe practices/conditions.
   - Working within quality, environmental and health and safety management systems to deliver a high quality product in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
   - Complete daily maintenance inspections of equipment and facility to ensure operational readiness prior to use
   - Working with specialized mechanical, electrical and instrumentation systems to test gas turbine engines.
   - Troubleshoots, adjusts or replace components on engines and accessories during testing process. Liaisons with engineers, mechanics and inspectors on test performance.
   - Performing and supporting troubleshooting, preventative and corrective maintenance of mechanical systems.
   - Participates in continuous improvement of cell processes.
   - Moves between production assignments that utilize multiple skills endorsements as needed to support production requirements.
   - Carries out other duties as assigned.
   Technical Requirements
   - Self-Motivated Team members must have a positive attitude toward a changing work environment and are committed to achieving the success and goals of their team
   - Experience with Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul of Gas Turbine Engines.
   - Good planning, organizational, analytical, interpersonal, decision making, oral and written communication skills.
   - Working knowledge of production management computer systems and other related internal control systems.
   - Familiarity with gas turbine engines
   - Knowledgeable in the functional operation of the engines tested.
   - Attainment of a Special Process stamp for Test Technician designation.
   - Ability to lift up to 50 pounds (unassisted) for approximately 25% of the average work day.
   - Regularly required to sit and stand for prolonged periods.
   - Working knowledge of related company instructions and company processes.
   - Product knowledge relative to the business unit.
   - Experience in a mechanical environment.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find aerospace mechanics for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any aerospace mechanics they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level aerospace mechanics with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your aerospace mechanic job on Zippia to find and recruit aerospace mechanic candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting aerospace mechanics requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new aerospace mechanic

   Once you've decided on a perfect aerospace mechanic candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new aerospace mechanic. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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