Aircraft Structures Mechanic Entry & Level 1

Northrop GrummanNorthrop GrummanPalmdale, California, United States
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Posted

10/7/2026

Employment

Full time

Range

$40k - $72k/year

Work style

On-site

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AI summary

Core responsibilities

The Aircraft Structures Mechanic will translate blueprints into structural assemblies using precision tools and perform part-fitting operations like drilling, riveting, and trimming. They are also responsible for maintaining quality standards, using manufacturing shop controls, and implementing continuous improvement activities.

Requirements overview

Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and at least 3 to 9 months of relevant structures or sheet metal experience. Applicants must be able to obtain a government secret clearance, pass a physical, and perform strenuous physical work in an enclosed environment.

Key skills

Aircraft structuresSheet metalBlueprint readingPrecision drillingCountersinkingPart fittingRivetingMicrometersCalipersManufacturing shop controlsContinuous improvementStructural assembly

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Education requirements

high schoolprofessional certificate

About Northrop Grumman

Industry

Defense and Space Manufacturing

Employees

87,943

Type

Public Company

Size

10,001+ employees

We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more at jobs.northropgrumman.com/careers. Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions. Our careers site can be found at jobs.northropgrumman.com/careers. If you are contacted about a job at Northrop Grumman, please verify the email came from the domain @ngc.com before engaging with that contact. If you are contacted by a Northrop Grumman recruiter on LinkedIn, please that their profile includes the verified check mark to ensure the contact is legitimate.

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Job categories

ManufacturingTradesEngineeringSecurity & Safety

Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history. Job Description If you join Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems in this position, you will assist our Manufacturing Operations Organization as an Aircraft Structures Mechanic Entry Level and Level 1 supporting our Palmdale, CA site. This role is for a hands-on person with great attention to detail, top focus on quality and excellent people skills. If you are intrigued by this opportunity keep reading below. Essential Functions: Read and understand blueprints Translate blueprints into fabrications of structural assemblies to include precision drilling, countersinking, and the use of calibrated tools Aligning parts on jigs using templates and fixtures Performing part-fitting operations: filing sawing, burring, crimping, trimming, framing, riveting, drilling and reaming Measures parts with precision tools such as, micrometers and calipers to verify dimensions May modify incomplete and complete assemblies to incorporate changes to structure and verify quality in accordance with statistical process or other control procedure Daily usage of manufacturing shop controls and systems Use of appropriate PPE when working on the shop floor Recommend and implement continuous improvement activities in production methods, equipment performance and team effectiveness Basic Qualifications: Aircraft Structures Mechanic Entry Level High School diploma or GED Minimum of 3 months’ structures/sheet metal experience in an aerospace, automotive, military, manufacturing and/or maintenance environment OR AFAB Student must have a minimum of 3.0 or higher GPA upon completion of Aircraft Fabrication courses OR A&P certificate program. This position requires the ability to perform moderate strenuous physical and repetitious work to include bending, stooping, kneeling, standing, walking, squatting, crawling, twisting, carrying tools, lifting to 35 pounds and working with arms overhead Must be able to access small, confined spaces and work in an enclosed environment Ability to pass medical/respiratory evaluation to obtain and maintain necessary respirator clearance and compliance with all respirators fitting requirements Must be able to pass a New Hire Physical prior to starting The ability to work 1st “5 AM – 3:30 PM” or 2nd shift “4:12 PM – 2:42 AM” and any work schedule Ability to obtain and maintain a Government Secret or Top-Secret Clearance as well as Program Special access within a reasonable period, as determined by the company to meet its business needs. US citizenship required for clearance. The ability to utilize a computer for basic functions (including navigating through windows operating systems, getting online, executing online training modules and ability to be trained using on the job software) Must successfully complete and pass the “ASTAR New Hire Training / Compliance” within a reasonable period, as defined by the company to meet its business need Aircraft Structures Mechanic Level 1 High School diploma or GED Minimum of 9 months structures/sheet metal experience in an aerospace, automotive, military, manufacturing and/or maintenance environment OR AFAB Student must have a minimum of 3.0 or higher GPA upon completion of Aircraft Fabrication courses OR A&P certificate program. This position requires the ability to perform moderate strenuous physical and repetitious work to include bending, stooping, kneeling, standing, walking, squatting, crawling, twisting, carrying tools, lifting to 35 pounds and working with arms overhead Must be able to access small, confined spaces and work in an enclosed environment Ability to pass medical/respiratory evaluation to obtain and maintain necessary respirator clearance and compliance with all respirators fitting requirements Must be able to pass a New Hire Physical prior to starting The ability to work 1st “5 AM – 3:30 PM” or 2nd shift “4:12 PM – 2:42 AM” and any work schedule Ability to obtain and maintain a Government Secret or Top-Secret Clearance as well as Program Special access within a reasonable period, as determined by the company to meet its business needs. US citizenship required for clearance. The ability to utilize a computer for basic functions (including navigating through windows operating systems, getting online, executing online training modules and ability to be trained using on the job software) Must successfully complete and pass the “ASTAR New Hire Training / Compliance” within a reasonable period, as defined by the company to meet its business need. Preferred Qualifications: Structures/sheet metal experience in aerospace manufacturing environment Completion of an A&P certificate program Active Government Secret Clearance with a background investigation completed within the last six years Primary Level Salary Range: $39,700.00 - $66,100.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $43,400.00 - $72,300.00 The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business. The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Requirements

  • •Aircraft structures
  • •Sheet metal
  • •Blueprint reading
  • •Precision drilling
  • •Countersinking
  • •Part fitting
  • •Riveting
  • •Micrometers
  • •Calipers
  • •Manufacturing shop controls
  • •Continuous improvement
  • •Structural assembly

Benefits

  • •Health insurance coverage
  • •Life insurance
  • •Disability insurance
  • •Savings plan
  • •Company paid holidays
  • •Paid time off

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