How to hire an aviation ordnance technician

How to hire an aviation ordnance technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step aviation ordnance technician hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an aviation ordnance technician, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   An aviation ordnance technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, aviation ordnance technicians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of aviation ordnance technicians and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Aviation Ordnance Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Aviation Ordnance Technician	Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft. They also may perform aircraft inspections as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).	$20-42
   Technician	Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with... Show more	$11-27
   Avionics Technician	An avionics technician specializes in the installation, maintenance, and repair of aircraft tools and devices such as navigation, radar, radio, and other systems. They are primarily responsible for conducting regular testing and inspections for all devices, documenting every repair or change, replacing every defective or malfunctioning part, and assembling complex components... Show more	$19-36

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Procedures
   • Support Equipment
   • Preventive Maintenance
   • Combat
   • Logistics
   • Unscheduled Maintenance
   • Ammunition
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Secret Security Clearance
   • Technical Publications
   • Maintenance Actions
   • Control Systems
   • Safety Regulations
   • Electrical Components

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Use technical specifications, sketches, manuals, drawings, engineering notices, and FAA forms and publications to accomplish work.
   • Coordinate UXO and construction assets.
   • Ensure proper maintenance of government property including calibration of testing equipment and complex ammunition systems.
   • Qualify CDI and CDQAR for all powerplants operations.
   • Perform CDI responsibilities on all daily/weekly/monthly and phase level schedule maintenance.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your aviation ordnance technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An aviation ordnance technician salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, aviation ordnance technicians' average salary in maine is 48% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level aviation ordnance technicians earn 52% less than senior-level aviation ordnance technicians.
   • Certifications. An aviation ordnance technician with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an aviation ordnance technician's salary.

   Average aviation ordnance technician salary

   $62,014yearly

   $29.81 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level aviation ordnance technician salary

   $43,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing an aviation ordnance technician job description

   A good aviation ordnance technician job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an aviation ordnance technician job description:

   Aviation ordnance technician job description example

   UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE TECHNICIAN II
   
   Mission Department
   
   RUXOR, TS B-4C
   
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS : The Unexploded Ordnance Technician specializing in the preparation of explosive charges will be required to have technical/military training and experience in conducting explosive processing/loading operations in a research and development environment. Must be able to use laboratory scales, machinery and other instruments as needed. Must have an outstanding knowledge of explosive devices, fuses, solid propellants, pyrotechnics, and munitions. May provide research and development level support in preparing explosive charges from raw materials. May be required to have outstanding knowledge of explosive chemicals. May be required to work from detailed procedures and processes, often self-developed, that ensure adequate safeguards and proper criteria are met at all times while working with the various types of explosives/munitions. Exercises independent judgment by directly reporting to the UXO Supervisor. May be required to follow technical orders for maintaining gun and feed systems and performing periodic maintenance as required utilizing standard and special tools.
   
   Job Requirements:
   
   GENERAL DUTIES: Provides day-to-day assistance on all RUXOR operations on the E-OMS contract. Must be capable and knowledgeable of the classification of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and identification of U.S. and foreign guided missiles, bombs and grenades, fuses, rockets, land mines and associated components, pyrotechnics, military explosives, and demolition materials. Experience in MEC clearance operations and proper disposition of range residue required. Locates surface UXO using visual means and operates motor vehicles to transport these materials. May be required to locate subsurface UXO using specialized equipment. Must have an outstanding knowledge of explosive devices, fuses, solid propellants, pyrotechnics, and munitions. May provide research and development level support in preparing explosive charges from raw materials. May be required to have outstanding knowledge of explosive chemicals. May be required to work from detailed procedures and processes, often self-developed, that ensure adequate safeguards and proper criteria are met at all times while working with the various types of explosives/munitions.
   
   OTHER DUTIES: Other functions require housekeeping and other job-related tasks. May be required to handle hazardous materials and/or hazardous waste.
   
   EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Must be a US Naval EOD School graduate or equivalent. Must have 6 years combined active duty military EOD, contractor UXO experience, must be able to fully perform all functions required for UXO Sweep Personnel, The Unexploded Ordnance Specialists specializing in the preparation of explosive charges will be required to have technical/military training and six years experience in conducting explosive processing/loading operations in a research and development environment. Must be able to use laboratory scales, machinery, and other instruments as needed. All unexploded ordnance specialists must be knowledgeable in the areas of chemical and/or material capability to ensure that munitions storage requirements are adequately established. In-depth knowledge of aircraft, weapons, munitions, ammunition, and other ordnance used by AFSOC and SOF is preferred.
   
   OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. All selected candidates must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation and drug test as a condition of placement into this position. They are required to operate forklifts, loaders, roll-off trucks, and general-purpose vehicles. Must be capable of working with a variety of hand tools such as drills, wrenches, screwdrivers, and special tools required to assemble and disassemble munitions and other explosive devices. Requires a Class "A" Commercial Driver License (CDL) and training to meet CFR 49/DOT requirements for storage and transporting hazardous materials/explosives are required. May be required to work overtime, weekends, holidays, and shift work. Occasional TDY/travel may be required. Supports E-OMS operational objectives. Observes company Quality, Safety, Environmental, Security, and Administrative policies; supports Process Improvement.
   
   WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is performed both inside and outside under a variety of environmental conditions, subjected to noise, fumes, and dirt from explosions and other operations.
   
   PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Occasionally required to stoop, bend, kneel, work in tiring and uncomfortable positions, and move heavy items.
   
   Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position.
   
   Reliance Test & Technology is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Any person with a disability needing special accommodations to the application process please call Human Resources.
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find aviation ordnance technicians 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 aviation ordnance technicians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level aviation ordnance technicians 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 aviation ordnance technician job on Zippia to find and recruit aviation ordnance technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting aviation ordnance technicians 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 aviation ordnance technician

   Once you have selected a candidate for the aviation ordnance technician position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with 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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