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.

Care to share? Click for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or XING. 👍

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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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