Will “Aircraft Sheet Metal Mechanic” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

79% Chance of Automation

“Aircraft Sheet Metal Mechanic” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #436 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job 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.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-2011.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 52,530.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 25.00
Currently, there are 42,010 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Aircraft Sheet Metal Mechanic”

Splice cables, using clamps and fittings, or reweave cable strands.
Install accessories in swaging machines, using hand tools.
Adjust, repair, rework, or replace parts or assemblies to ensure proper operation.
Fabricate parts needed for assembly or installation, using shop machinery or equipment.
Align, fit, assemble, connect, or install system components, using jigs, fixtures, measuring instruments, hand tools, or power tools.
Assemble prototypes or integrated-technology demonstrators of new or emerging environmental technologies for aircraft.
Capture or segregate waste material, such as aluminum swarf, machine cutting fluid, or solvents, for recycling or environmentally responsible disposal.
Cut, trim, file, bend, or smooth parts to ensure proper fit and clearance.
Monitor robotic assembly equipment, such as snake-arm robots, used to assemble, seal, or swage aircraft structures.
Verify dimensions of cable assemblies or positions of fittings, using measuring instruments.
Fit and fasten sheet metal coverings to surface areas or other sections of aircraft prior to welding or riveting.
Manually install structural assemblies or signal crane operators to position assemblies for joining.
Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps.
Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or welding.
Install mechanical linkages and actuators, using tensiometers to verify tension of cables.
Assemble prefabricated parts to form subassemblies.
Inspect or test installed units, parts, systems, or assemblies for fit, alignment, performance, defects, or compliance with standards, using measuring instruments or test equipment.
Clean, oil, or coat system components as necessary before assembly or attachment.
Join structural assemblies, such as wings, tails, or fuselage.
Position and align subassemblies in jigs or fixtures, using measuring instruments and following blueprint lines and index points.
Cut cables and tubing, using master templates, measuring instruments, and cable cutters or saws.
Swage fittings onto cables, using swaging machines.
Set, align, adjust, or synchronize aircraft armament or rigging or control system components to established tolerances or requirements using sighting devices and hand tools.
Layout and mark reference points and locations for installation of parts or components, using jigs, templates, or measuring and marking instruments.
Mark identifying information on tubing or cable assemblies, using etching devices, labels, rubber stamps, or other methods.
Set up or operate machines or systems to crimp, cut, bend, form, swage, flare, bead, burr, or straighten tubing, according to specifications.
Read blueprints, illustrations, or specifications to determine layouts, sequences of operations, or identities or relationships of parts.
Clean aircraft structures, parts, or components, using aqueous, semi-aqueous, aliphatic hydrocarbon, or organic solvent cleaning products or techniques to reduce carbon or other harmful emissions.
Weld tubing and fittings or solder cable ends, using tack-welders, induction brazing chambers, or other equipment.
Place and connect control cables to electronically controlled units, using hand tools, ring locks, cotter keys, threaded connectors, turnbuckles, or related devices.

Related Technology & Tools

Drafting templates
Power saws
Power drills
Gear shaft wrenches
Beading tools
Nut wrenches
Overhead cranes
Spanner wrenches
Recoilless rivet hammers
Flange wrenches
Swaging tools
Torque drivers
Tack welding equipment
Micrometers
First assembly jigs
Protective ear plugs
Dial calipers
Power hoists
Trunnion wrenches
Rivet guns
Straight screwdrivers
Ratchets
Safety gloves
Pipe bending mandrels
Bearing staking tools
Cable cutters
Power screwguns
Mylar index templates
Spot welding equipment
Input wrenches
Offset screwdrivers
Metal bucking bars
Setup templates
Tube crimping tools
Thickness gauges
Pin protrusion gauges
Adhesive application robots
Fuel control wrenches
Flaring tools
Metal bending equipment
Protective ear muffs
Alligator jaw compression riveters
Brazing equipment
Welding robots
Bearing installation tools
Blind rivet guns
Ultrasonic inspection equipment
Trunnion centering tools
Single-cut mill saw files
Safety glasses
Case wrenches
Hand clamps
Ratcheting box wrenches
Soldering irons
Tensiometers
Arc welding equipment
Welding hoods
Milling machines
Burring tools
Pneumatic drills
Spline key wrenches
Electrochemical etching devices
Anti-vibration gloves
Autoriveters
Fuel nozzle wrenches
Desktop computers
Assembly robots
Precision tapered reamers
Material guiding jigs
C-yoke compression riveters
Line reamers

Data entry software
Word processing software
Electrical power management system software
Spreadsheet software
Computer aided design CAD software