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Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler

What Does it Take to Be an Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler?

Position Description Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.

Life As an Aircraft Structure Assembler

  • Manually install structural assemblies or signal crane operators to position assemblies for joining.
  • Swage fittings onto cables, using swaging machines.
  • Verify dimensions of cable assemblies or positions of fittings, using measuring instruments.
  • Align, fit, assemble, connect, or install system components, using jigs, fixtures, measuring instruments, hand tools, or power tools.
  • Monitor robotic assembly equipment, such as snake-arm robots, used to assemble, seal, or swage aircraft structures.
  • Assemble prefabricated parts to form subassemblies.

Aircraft Structure Assembler Skills

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Types of Aircraft Structure Assembler Jobs

  • Aircraft Powerplant Repairer
  • Sheet Metal Assembler and Riveter (SMAR)
  • Aircraft Line Assembler
  • Harness Installer
  • Erco Machine Operator

Are There Job Opportunities for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?

There were about 41,800 jobs for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler. The BLS estimates 3,200 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Aircraft Structure Assembler are Utah, Nebraska, and Alabama. Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, Arkansas, or West Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does an Aircraft Structure Assembler Make?

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers make between $32,250 and $82,390 a year.

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Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers who work in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, or Texas, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $50,830
Arizona $50,910
Arkansas $56,110
California $49,600
Colorado $50,620
Connecticut $74,500
Florida $48,390
Georgia $58,750
Illinois $51,050
Indiana $47,900
Michigan $52,260
New Jersey $48,760
New York $49,750
Ohio $44,240
Oklahoma $48,270
Pennsylvania $77,540
Texas $60,010
West Virginia $51,180

What Tools do Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Data entry software
  • Word processing software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software

How to Become an Aircraft Structure Assembler

Are there Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers education requirements?

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What work experience do I need to become an Aircraft Structure Assembler?

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Those thinking about becoming an Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler might also be interested in the following careers:

References:

Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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