Aircraft Metals Technology

What does the Aircraft Metals Technology career field do?

Designs, welds, heat treats, fabricates, and machines precision tools, components, and assemblies for aerospace weapon systems and related support equipment (SE). Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 170000.

Duties and responsibilities

• Advises on metals machining, welding, designing, and production problems. Designs, manufactures, or modifies special precision tools, gauges, dies, and fixtures to facilitate metal working operations. Performs metals technology shop calculations such as determining cutting speeds and settings, welding processes, and preheat and postheat requirements. Welds, brazes, solders, and heat treats metals. Uses manual, additive manufacturing, and computer numerical controlled (CNC) metal working machines, mills, and lathes to manufacture and repair aircraft components and SE. Writes programs for CNC machines using manual and Computer Aided Design- Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD-CAM) methods. Checks completed components and determines serviceability in accordance with drawings and specifications.
• Disassembles, assembles, and fits component parts using machine screws, bolts, rivets, press fits, and welding techniques. Uses metal working equipment, tools, and supplies to produce surface finishing specifications for components. Extracts broken or damaged hardware. Checks components for wear tolerances using precision measuring devices.
• Maintains and inspects hand tools and metal working machinery. Performs operator maintenance and service inspections on shop equipment and tools. Ensures lock out and tag out procedures are accomplished prior to maintenance on all equipment. Uses and disposes of hazardous waste and materials according to environmental standards.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: metal repair and fabrication processes; composition of metals and machinable materials; weld specifications; metal tempering; forging; mechanical drawings; use of precision measuring devices and tools; metal fabricating by oxyacetylene, metallic arc, and inert gas shielded arc; operation and capacity of metal working and welding equipment; use and fabrication of layout and fixture devices; safety codes and practices regarding equipment and supplies; hazards of explosive gasses, hazardous rays, and fumes; and proper handling, use, and disposal of hazardous waste and materials.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school with courses in shop mathematics, metal working, or mechanical drawing is desirable.

Training. The following training is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• For award of AFSC 2A731, completion of a basic aircraft metals technology course is mandatory.

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 2A751. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2A731. Also, experience in functions such as gas and electric welding, boring, milling, shaping, grinding metal, or using precision measuring devices.
• 2A771. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2A751. Also, experience performing or supervising functions dealing with welding, using precision measuring devices, and machining.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• See attachment 4 for entry requirements.
• For entry, award, and retention of AFSCs 2A711/31/51/71: normal depth perception as defined in DAFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs: must maintain local network access IAW DAFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and DAFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $31,630–$103,650 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: $66,440
• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: $53,160
• Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators: $42,260
• Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers: $57,740
• Cutters and Trimmers, Hand: $31,630
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: $70,240
• Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plasti: $41,430
• General and Operations Managers: $103,650
• Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: $36,880
• Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: $39,530
• Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: $41,380
• Machinists: $45,840
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: $40,850
• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: $43,150
• Model Makers, Metal and Plastic: $54,780
• Molders, Shapers, and Casters: $35,440
• Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: $37,510
• Sheet Metal Workers: $51,370
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: $44,190
• Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders: $39,410