How to hire an aviation structural mechanic

How to hire an aviation structural mechanic, step by step

Here's a step-by-step aviation structural 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 aviation structural mechanic job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new aviation structural mechanic
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the aviation structural mechanic you need to hire. Certain aviation structural mechanic roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   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 aviation structural 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 aviation structural mechanic that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of aviation structural mechanic salaries for various roles:

   Type of Aviation Structural Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Aviation Structural Mechanic	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).	$22-39
   Aircraft Electrician	An aircraft electrician specializes in installing and repairing electrical systems in an aircraft, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically include running diagnostic tests and examinations, troubleshooting problems, replacing and fixing components, understanding diagrams, and keeping records... Show more	$18-37
   Power Plant Technician	Power plant technicians, paid at an average of $790K per year, must have skills in concentration, dexterity, mechanics, and problem-solving. They will need a high school diploma or GED at the very least, though some employers do prefer a college or vocational school degree, as well as strong math and science backgrounds... Show more	$14-34

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Landing Gear
   • Aircraft Airframe
   • Structural Components
   • Pneumatic Systems
   • Ground Support Equipment
   • Corrosion Control
   • Unscheduled Maintenance
   • Hazmat
   • Troubleshoot
   • Hydraulic Components
   • Technical Publications
   • Aircraft Systems
   • Aircraft Components
   • Hazardous Materials

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Attain CDI, work center supervisor, and hydraulic contamination qualifications along with numerous others.
   • Work from SRM, TRM, AMM, EO and various other aircraft documentation to accomplish repair objectives.
   • Reinforce junior personnel's ability to utilize technical publications while performing maintenance thus increasing their ability to troubleshoot and repair discrepancies.
   • Maintain HAZMAT inventory as primary for AIMD.
   • Used x-ray machines to retrieve FOD from flaps.
   • Perform integrated combat turns and hot pit refuels.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, aviation structural mechanics' average salary in utah is 45% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level aviation structural mechanics earn 44% less than senior-level aviation structural mechanics.
   • Certifications. An aviation structural mechanic 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 structural mechanic's salary.

   Average aviation structural mechanic salary

   $61,535yearly

   $29.58 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level aviation structural mechanic salary

   $46,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 16, 2026

4. Writing an aviation structural mechanic job description

   An aviation structural 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 aviation structural mechanic job description:

   Aviation structural mechanic job description example

   Job DescriptionOur valued client, Airbus Americas is seeking a STRUCTURES AVIATION MECHANIC - MRO - Contract to join our team in Mobile, AL. This is a contract/temporary opportunity with an open-ended duration.
   
   Position details: Repair, service, clean and maintain aircraft systems in accordance with FAA. Experience in performing aircraft sheet metal and structures work is vital. A&P license is a plus but NOT REQUIRED for this role
   
   Position Summary: Repair, service, clean and maintain aircraft systems in accordance with FAA; 5+ years' experience in performing sheet metal and structures work. This position is "safety sensitive"; therefore all FAA required compliance will be followed.
   Primary Responsibilities:

   • Perform all maintenance in accordance with FAA approved data and to the standards of good workmanship as required by Airbus DS Military Aircraft, Inc.
   • Keep safety of flight in the forefront at all times in the production of an airworthy product.
   • Accurately and legibly record all information required on internal company forms and aircraft maintenance documents in conformance to company, customer and FAA requirements.
   • Ensure appropriate use of the accurate tools for the application and that tooling is serviceable and calibrated when necessary.
   • Locate, understand and implement the appropriate technical data used while performing maintenance.
   • Perform any duties that may be assigned by the Maintenance Supervisor.
   • As a "safety sensitive" position, this position requires that the employee be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner as an essential job function.
   • Ensure assigned work area is kept clean and free of hazards to both personnel and the aircraft.
   • Follow all vital safety precautions; hearing and eye protection, use of chemicals, engine and propeller hazards, fall protection, etc.
   • Maintain a FOD-free work environment.
   • Align with OSHA Safety Regulations.
   • As a "safety sensitive" position, this position requires that the employee be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner as an essential job function.
   • Participate in on-the-job training as required.
   • Observe safety procedures and personnel policies.
   • Regular attendance required as outlined in company policy.

   Additional Responsibilities:
   Education:

   • High School Diploma
   • Training in Airframe and Power Plant with emphasis on Structures and Composites

   Experience:

   • 5-10 years experience with structures and composite.
   • Prior experience on aircraft maintenance required.
   • Familiar with turbo prop aircraft is a plus.

   Licensure/Certifications:

   • Certified by FAA with a current Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic license is a plus but not required.

   Communication Skills (Spoken, Written, Influencing, Proficiency in Other Languages):

   • English language is required; bilingual in Spanish is not required, but is a plus.

   Travel Required:

   • 10% Potential Domestic and International travel

   Eligibility:

   • Authorized to Work in the US

   Physical Requirements:
   Sitting, Standing, Squatting/Kneeling, Walking, Speaking, Hearing, Vision, Manual Dexterity, ability to work in somewhat confined spaces.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting aviation structural 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 aviation structural mechanic

   Once you've decided on a perfect aviation structural 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.

   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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new aviation structural 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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