How to hire an aircraft assembler

How to hire an aircraft assembler, step by step

Here's a step-by-step aircraft assembler hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your aircraft assembler 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 aircraft assembler 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 aircraft assembler 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 aircraft assembler that fits the bill.

   This list presents aircraft assembler salaries for various positions.

   Type of Aircraft Assembler	Description	Hourly rate
   Aircraft Assembler	Assemblers and fabricators assemble finished products and the parts that go into them. They use tools, machines, and their hands to make engines, computers, aircraft, ships, boats, toys, electronic devices, control panels, and more.	$12-25
   Assembler	An assembler's general responsibility is to assemble parts and pieces of an item to create a full-length component. An assembler's duties also include checking inventories for correct quantities of components, following blueprints and acknowledging assembly instructions, verifying resources and supplies before assembly, and inspecting tools and equipment necessary to get the job done... Show more	$11-18
   Mechanical Assembler	Mechanical assemblers are individuals who fabricate or assemble mechanical pieces, products, or parts. They are knowledgeable about assembly instructions as well as their interpretations... Show more	$12-19

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Jigs
   • Engineering Drawings
   • Calipers
   • FOD
   • Pneumatic Tools
   • Safety Procedures
   • Process Specifications
   • Rivet Guns
   • Structural Components
   • Quality Standards
   • Aircraft Systems
   • Plumbing
   • Aircraft Assembly

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Work from SRM, TRM, AMM, EO and various other aircraft documentation to accomplish repair objectives.
   • Save the USAF $11K in CDO contractor fees.
   • Install aircraft skin, frame work, plumbing, and wiring.
   • Work to strict Boeing and FAA guidelines, specifications, and processes.
   • Fit and install plumbing, hydraulic and/or pressure systems (both removable and permanent).
   • Maintain necessary documents and records according to the FAA, FDA, OSHA, and other governing agencies.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, aircraft assemblers' average salary in indiana is 36% less than in wisconsin.
   • Seniority. Entry-level aircraft assemblers 50% less than senior-level aircraft assemblers.
   • Certifications. An aircraft assembler 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 aircraft assembler's salary.

   Average aircraft assembler salary

   $37,191yearly

   $17.88 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level aircraft assembler salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing an aircraft assembler job description

   A job description for an aircraft assembler role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an aircraft assembler job description:

   Aircraft assembler job description example

   • Variable Shifts, 1st, 2nd, 3rd as needed; must be available to work any shift assigned
   
   • Performs routine production assembly operations on structural and mechanical assemblies, subassemblies and aircraft systems, equipment and accessories using manual operations
   
   • Ability to select correct parts, materials, tools, assemblies, standards, hardware, etc
   
   drill, shim, install, fit, fasten, align, adjust and perform the necessary pre-installation assembly work to accomplish the installation of structural components requiring the use of production and engineering prints to determine exact locations
   
   • Report job constraints such as: errors caused by workmanship, defects in parts, materials, assembly procedures, tools, sequences, etc., in accordance with Boeing procedures
   
   • Perform any repairs, rework, functional checks and the incorporation of authorized changes, etc., as outlined by Lead
   
   • Remove and/or replace installed components and any related parts
   
   • Must be able but not limited to Drill close tolerance holes in composites, Tool indexing, Gap measurement
   
   MINIMUM:
   • High School Diploma or equivalent
   • Basic computer skills
   • Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English
   • Must have ability to read and comprehend blueprints, work instructions, and other technical data
   • Must possess good interpersonal skills with strong desire to work in a teamwork environment
   • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, work instructions, and procedure manuals
   • Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in various units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
   • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
   • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
   
   PREFERRED:
   Candidates with at least three (3) years work experience in a complex assembly environment
   
   PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
   • May be required to lift up to 50 lbs.
   • Subject to continual loud noises
   • Visual acuity must be a minimum of 20 / 40 corrected
   • Must be able to bend, stoop, kneel, stand for prolonged periods of time; climb steps, ladders and / or service stands
   • Must be able to safely work around hazardous chemicals, solvents, resins and adhesives

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right aircraft assembler for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting aircraft assemblers 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 aircraft assembler

   Once you've decided on a perfect aircraft assembler 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.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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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