Aircraft Mech I (Powerplant) - San Diego, California, United States (2024)

The Aircraft Mechanic 1 will perform daily Scheduled and unscheduled maintenance to comply with requirements of aircraft performing mission requirements. Aircraft Mechanic 1 may also be tasked with flight schedule and daily operation of flight line.

Essential Responsibilities:

Repairs, replaces, and rebuilds aircraft structures, such as blades and fuselage, and functional components including rigging, surface controls, and plumbing and hydraulic units, using hand tools, power tools, machines, and equipment such as shears, sheet metal brake, welding equipment, rivet gun, and drills.
Reads and interprets manufacturers and maintenance manuals, OPNAV 4790, service bulletins, technical data, engineering data, and other specifications to determine feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.


Performs 200-hour, progressive, isochronal, phase, periodic, and other hourly or calendar inspections, examines reciprocating engines for cracked turbine blades and oil leaks, inspects turbine engines and components for cracks, corrosion, foreign object damage, burned areas, distortions, security, warping, wear, and missing segments.


Inspects engine turbine blades to detect cracks, distortion, corrosion, burn-out, security, or breaks, tests engine operation, using testing equipment, such as ignition analyzer, compression checker, distributor timer, ammeter, to locate source of malfunction.

Work involves:

Replacing or repairing worn or damaged components, such as generators, alternators, magnetos, fuel controls, fuel pumps, oil pumps, and engine mounted gearboxes, and compressor bleed valves using hand tools, gauges, and testing equipment; removing engine from aircraft, using hoist or crane, disassembling and inspecting parts for wear, cracks, security, or other defects, and repairing or replacing defective engine parts and reassembles and installs engine in aircraft.

Job duties require that this mechanic:

Adjusts, repairs, or replaces electrical wiring system and aircraft accessories, performs preflight, thru-flight, and post-flight maintenance inspections, performs miscellaneous duties to service aircraft, including flushing gearbox, cleaning screens and filters, greasing moving parts, checking brakes and corrosion prevention of aircraft.


Supervise and participate in the jacking and towing of aircraft, enters in the maintenance records description of all work performed including safety of flight items and verifies the work was performed satisfactorily, may service engines and airframe components at line station making repairs, short of overhaul, required to keep aircraft in safe operating condition, may specialize in work, repair and modification of structural, precision, and functional spare parts and assemblies, and may specialize in engine repair.

Additional duties include:

  • Housekeeping of all areas of work including shop; participate in FOD program.
  • Obtain Collateral Duty Inspector qualification as well as Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative qualification as a rated Powerplant (AD).
  • Comply with all safety requirements.
  • Handling and disposing of Hazmat.
  • May need to participate and qualify in Fuel Surveillance program as well as Confined Space Program.
  • May be required to qualify as a Plane Captain.
  • Obtain all support equipment licenses for job description.
  • Perform all other position related duties as assigned or requested.
  • Comply with all requirements of PWS that are not listed above.
  • Must be able and available to work all shifts on site.

Work Environment, Physical Demands, and Mental Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk; sit, use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk and hear. The employee must have the ability to perform aircraft maintenance duties and move freely about the interior & exterior of the aircraft as well as meet aircraft specific specifications for weight limits. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to risk of electrical shock and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and requires hearing protection. Additionally, the job requires constant use of speech/hearing abilities for communication, constant mental alertness, must be able to work under deadlines.

Other Responsibilities:

Safety - Amentum enforces a safety culture whereby all employees have the responsibility for continuously developing and maintaining a safe work environment. As appropriate, each employee is responsible for completing all training requirements and fulfilling all self-aid/buddy aid responsibilities, participating in emergency response tasks and serving on safety committees and teams.

Quality - Quality is the foundation for the management of our business and the keystone to our goal of customer satisfaction. It is our policy to consistently provide services that meet customer expectations. Accordingly, each employee must conform to the Amentum Quality Policy and carry out job activities in compliance with applicable Amentum Quality System documents and customer contracts. Each employee must read and understand his/her Quality Management and Customer Satisfaction responsibilities.

Procedure Compliance - Each employee must read, understand and implement the general and specific operational, safety, quality and environmental requirements of all plans, procedures and policies pertaining to his/her job.

Minimum Requirements

  • Position will require to complete minimum of one or multiple PQS’s for classification’s qualification (PQS)Personal qualification standards, be fully qualified as a (CDI) Collateral Duty Inspector PQS with the preference for (CDQAR) Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative PQS, all requirements SHALL be completed within the allotted time as per work site instructions.
  • High School graduate or equivalent. Minimum 3 years H-60 Aviation Powerplant experience as a qualified CDQAR required.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain Fuel Surveillance & Confined Space / Fuel Cell Maintenance certification.
  • Ability to read and write and interpret technical data and special operating instructions is required.
  • An in-depth knowledge of the applicable aircraft is required.
  • A thorough working knowledge of applicable technical publication is required.
  • Ability to use a computer, keyboard and mouse printer and be proficient using computer programs; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, NALCOMIS/OOMA.
  • Good verbal and written skills and leadership ability are required.
  • Knowledge and use of special tools/equipment required to perform assigned maintenance tasks is mandatory.
  • Must be able to meet physical requirements associated with and pass any medical examination requirements related to performing daily assigned tasks.
  • May be required to pass and maintain a U.S. Government background security check.
  • Prior experience with U.S. Naval repair maintenance operations on military aircraft highly preferred.
  • Must be able to work all shifts.

Additional Requirements:

  • Must have a valid Driver’s License.
  • Must be able to speak, read, write and understand English.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain facility credentials/authorization. Note: US Citizenship is required for facility credentials/authorization at this work location.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Common Access Card (CAC) with a Tier 3 adjudication.
  • Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Prior experience with U.S. Naval repair maintenance operations on military aircraft highly preferred.
  • Plane Captain.
  • 110 Powerplants Supervisor.
  • Fuel Cell Entrant Authority Certification.

Compensation & Benefits:

  • This position includes competitive benefits package. For more detailed information on our benefits and what it is like to work for Amentum, please visit our Career website at www.amentumcareers.com
  • Hiring hourly rate $40.37

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, national origin, age, United States military veteran’s status, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, family structure, medical condition including genetic characteristics or information, veteran status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law.

Aircraft Mech I (Powerplant) - San Diego, California, United States (2024)

FAQs

How much do aircraft mechanics make in San Diego? ›

$61,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $80,200 is the 75th percentile.

Is there a shortage of aircraft mechanics in the US? ›

The aviation industry in the United States faces a critical challenge, a growing shortage of aircraft mechanics. This trend, if unaddressed, threatens to stall the momentum of an industry that supports over 10.6 million jobs and contributes $1.8 trillion to the U.S. economy.

What aircraft mechanic makes the most money? ›

The highest aircraft mechanic salaries are at the major airlines (Delta, United, American) and the major cargo operations (FedEx, UPS, etc.). As an aircraft mechanic at one of these operations with your A&P you can earn over $100,000 a year within a few years of working.

What does an aircraft powerplant mechanic do? ›

Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanics are certified generalist mechanics who can independently perform many maintenance and alteration tasks on aircraft. A&P mechanics repair and maintain most parts of an aircraft, including the engines, landing gear, brakes, and air-conditioning system.

Do aircraft mechanics make 6 figures? ›

Aircraft Mechanics - $135,628 per year

There are a few six-figure jobs in aviation that can be obtained with trade school and about seven to ten years of experience in your chosen field.

Is airplane mechanic a stressful job? ›

These professionals may experience stress in their jobs while working in a high-pressure environment. Airline officials may want them to make repairs to an aircraft quickly so the plane can leave on time.

What state is the best for aircraft mechanics? ›

Our research shows that Nevada is the best state in the country for aircraft mechanics. The median salary for aircraft mechanics in Nevada is $69,861. Compare that to the median salary in Michigan of $49,181, which ranked worst for aircraft mechanics, and you can see how your location is important for your career.

Is there a high demand for aircraft mechanics? ›

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there's a demand for aviation mechanics. In fact, the aircraft mechanic career outlook for total aviation technician employment in the United States is expected to exceed 146,000 by 2032.

What are the 3 types of aircraft mechanic? ›

Once you've completed the work and exams, you'll qualify for one of three types of aircraft technician certifications:
  • Airframe mechanics (A), which qualifies you for body work.
  • Powerplant mechanics (P), which qualifies you for engine work.
  • Airframe and Powerplant (A&P), which qualifies you for both.

How to get your A&P license fast? ›

For individuals looking to get into their career fast, an elite A&P training program should have an accelerated training option. Typically, a program will take anywhere from 21 months to 24 months to complete, but at US Aviation Academy, you can get your certification in 12-months.

Is it worth becoming an aircraft mechanic? ›

The average salary for an aircraft mechanic is $67,029 per year . This is almost 30% more than the average salary in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, there is potential to make much more in this position, depending on which company you work for and where they are located.

How much do helicopter mechanics make in San Diego? ›

As of May 26, 2024, the average annual pay for a Helicopter Mechanic in San Diego is $73,777 a year.

Is it hard to become an aircraft mechanic? ›

It is not hard to be an aircraft mechanic when you are willing to learn, move past mistakes made during training, and absorb the knowledge from experiences and other materials. Training and learning truly help to shape aircraft mechanics into being at their jobs.

How much does an airplane mechanic make in Los Angeles? ›

How much does an Aircraft Mechanic make in Los Angeles, California? As of Jun 1, 2024, the average hourly pay for an Aircraft Mechanic in Los Angeles is $31.96 an hour.

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