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

79% Chance of Automation

“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 “Sheet Metal Mechanic”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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