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That is Navy Rating AM. Civilian jobs, federal paths, and how the work reads on a resume.
What is in this guide
What the translation looks like
How it reads in service
BDR qualified on F/A-18E; assessed and repaired structural damage to flight control surfaces during deployment, returning aircraft to mission-capable within 4 hours
How a hiring manager reads it
Certified in emergency structural assessment and rapid repair procedures, restoring critical equipment to operational status within 4-hour windows through systematic damage evaluation and prioritized repairs
Roles this background maps to
Median pay, BLS OEWS May 2024
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Brad TachiNavy Diver · BMR founder
After the Navy he was hired into six federal career fields and tech sales, and sat on federal hiring panels along the way. The last two years went into rebuilding all of it into BMR, tuned for how resumes get screened today. 75,916 resumes built so far.
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Aviation Structural Mechanics (AM) maintain the airframes, flight control surfaces, hydraulic systems, and structural components of Navy aircraft. The AM rating encompasses three sub-specialties: structures (sheet metal, composites, and airframe repair), safety equipment (ejection seats, oxygen systems, canopies), and hydraulics/pneumatics systems. AMs are the people who keep the aircraft physically intact and flight-worthy.
AM work ranges from routine corrosion control and sheet metal repairs to advanced composite damage repair, hydraulic system troubleshooting, and flight control rigging. AMs work with aluminum alloys, titanium, advanced composite materials (carbon fiber, Kevlar), sealants, and adhesive bonding systems. They use precision measuring tools, pneumatic rivet guns, CNC routing equipment, and autoclaves for composite curing.
The AM skillset is hands-on manufacturing and repair at its core. Every structural repair is a judgment call — assessing damage, determining serviceability limits, selecting the right repair method, and executing to exacting tolerances. AMs who worked at Fleet Readiness Centers performing depot-level repairs have experience equivalent to aerospace manufacturing quality standards.
AMs translate to the 8852 Aircraft Mechanic series and FAA A&P licensing pathways. I've worked across federal hiring on the engineering side and watching AMs move into DoD depot positions and major airframer roles is routine — the airframe and hydraulics depth is genuinely valuable, the resume just has to capture it. — Brad Tachi, Navy Diver veteran & BMR founder
The number that decides most of this: how does civilian pay compare to what the paycheck looks like now?
Navy mid-career
$58K to $82K
E-5 to E-7 total comp: base plus BAH, BAS and the tax advantage.
Civilian Aviation Structural Mechanic
$41K to $75K
BLS median across the direct-match civilian roles on this page.
Federal, GS-9 to GS-13
$58K to $120K
10 matching GS series, plus locality pay and step increases.
About 18% lower on average
Civilian base pay for Aviation Structural Mechanics runs about $12K below mid-career enlisted total comp, though housing comes out of that number on the military side too.
Military comp is approximate and moves with location and dependents. Civilian is the BLS median. Federal includes locality pay. The real number depends on duty station, family status, GS step and overtime.
AM experience maps directly to both aviation maintenance and advanced manufacturing. The commercial aviation industry needs airframe mechanics, composites technicians, and hydraulic specialists. Beyond aviation, the booming composites industry — driven by wind energy, automotive, marine, and aerospace manufacturing — is actively seeking technicians with hands-on composite fabrication and repair experience.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), the median annual wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians is $75,020 (O*NET 49-3011.00) with 6% growth. For aircraft structure and systems assemblers, the median is $62,350 (O*NET 51-2011.00). Sheet metal workers earn a median of $60,760 (O*NET 47-2211.00) with 1% growth. Fiberglass laminators and fabricators earn a median of $40,530 (O*NET 51-2091.00), though specialized aerospace composites technicians typically earn well above this general median.
AMs with hydraulic system experience also qualify for industrial machinery mechanics positions ($62,530 median, 15% growth) and maintenance and repair workers focused on hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
| Civilian job title | Industry | BLS median salary | Outlook | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic / A&P TechnicianO*NET 49-3011.00 | Aviation / Airlines / MRO | $75,020 | Faster than average (6%) | strong |
| Aircraft Structure / Systems AssemblerO*NET 51-2011.00 | Aerospace Manufacturing | $62,350 | Declining (-9%) | strong |
| Sheet Metal WorkerO*NET 47-2211.00 | Construction / Manufacturing | $60,760 | Little or no change (1%) | strong |
| Composites Technician / LaminatorO*NET 51-2091.00 | Aerospace / Wind Energy / Marine | $40,530 | Little or no change (0%) | strong |
| Industrial Machinery MechanicO*NET 49-9041.00 | Manufacturing / Facilities | $62,530 | Much faster than average (15%) | moderate |
| Maintenance and Repair Worker (General)O*NET 49-9071.00 | Facilities / Property Management | $46,700 | About as fast as average (5%) | moderate |
| Wind Turbine TechnicianO*NET 49-9081.00 | Renewable Energy | $61,770 | Much faster than average (60%) | moderate |
| Welder / FabricatorO*NET 51-4121.00 | Manufacturing / Construction | $51,000 | About as fast as average (2%) | moderate |
Largest aerospace manufacturer. Structural assembly, composites, and airframe repair positions across commercial and military programs.
F-35 structural repair and sustainment, plus legacy platform support. Active SkillBridge participant.
Composite and structural work on advanced military aircraft. AMs with composites experience are highly sought.
Major aerostructures manufacturer for commercial and military aircraft. Fuselage, nacelle, and structural component fabrication in Wichita, KS and other locations.
Heavy maintenance, structural repair, and airframe overhaul positions. Multiple MRO locations across the US.
Commercial aircraft heavy maintenance and structural repair. Facilities in Pensacola and other locations.
GS-8852 positions at FRC East, Southeast, and Southwest. Depot-level structural repair — same work in a civilian capacity.
Aircraft and spacecraft structural maintenance at research centers. Unique opportunity to work on experimental vehicles.
Wind turbine blade repair and composite manufacturing. Growing demand for composite technicians with aerospace backgrounds.
World's largest wind turbine manufacturer. Blade manufacturing and field composite repair positions.
Manufacturer of Cessna and Beechcraft. Structural assembly, composites, and airframe repair at manufacturing and service facilities.
Aircraft modification, structural integration, and depot-level maintenance. Multiple platform support programs.
BMR rewrites your AM experience for any of the roles above, in the language the people reading actually scan for.
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“I am wrapping up a 21 year Naval career, all of which was working on fighters. I had picked up a job as a contractor for a company on the same base I’ve been at for the last ten years. I submitted that resume while on deployment and it worked great. Thanks again Brad. Dave ”
David · Chief Petty Officer (E-7) · Navy · Aviation
Federal positions for AMs exist primarily at NAVAIR Fleet Readiness Centers, but the structural repair and composites skills also apply to positions at NASA, the FAA, and military depots across all branches. AMs who transition to federal civilian roles at FRCs often continue performing the same depot-level structural repairs they did in uniform.
Aircraft Mechanic (GS-8852) is the most direct federal path, with positions at FRC East (Cherry Point), FRC Southeast (Jacksonville), and FRC Southwest (North Island). AMs with composites expertise are increasingly valuable as military aircraft incorporate more composite structures. Engineering Technician (GS-0802) positions fit AMs with materials testing, damage assessment, or structural analysis experience.
AMs who managed corrosion control programs or HAZMAT operations can target Safety Management (GS-0018) and Safety Technician (GS-0019) roles. Those with quality assurance experience (CDI/QAR) align with Quality Assurance Specialist (GS-1910). AMs with hydraulic system expertise qualify for General Equipment Specialist (GS-1670) positions managing aircraft ground support and hydraulic test equipment.
| Series | Federal job title | Typical grades | Match | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-0802 | Engineering Technician | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| WG-8852 | Aircraft Mechanic | GS-9, GS-10, GS-11 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0301 | Miscellaneous Administration and Program | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | 2 of 5 | View details |
| GS-1101 | General Business and Industry | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 2 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0018 | Safety and Occupational Health Management | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 2 of 5 | View details |
| GS-1910 | Quality Assurance | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 2 of 5 | View details |
| WG-4749 | Maintenance Mechanic | WG-8, WG-9, WG-10 | 2 of 5 | View details |
| WG-8255 | Pneudraulic Systems Mechanic | GS-9, GS-10, GS-11 | 2 of 5 | View details |
| GS-1670 | Equipment Services | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | 2 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0019 | Safety Technician | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | 2 of 5 | View details |
Federal raters match your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement. BMR writes the federal format for any GS series above, with the hours per week and supervisor detail a rater looks for.
Free to start. Federal and private sector formats included.
Not everyone stays in a related field. These paths run on the transferable half of the job: leadership, risk, logistics, planning.
Landing gear, struts, and flight controls are hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and that exact diagnostic and rebuild skill keeps excavators, cranes, and dozers running on a job site.
Transfers: Diagnosing and repairing hydraulic and pneumatic systems, Landing-gear and actuator overhaul, Reading hydraulic and mechanical schematics, Brake, strut, and load-bearing assembly work.
How to get there: Many shops hire structural and hydraulic mechanics directly and train on the equipment; a community-college diesel or heavy-equipment program shortens the ramp.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 6% (Faster than average)
Rigging flight controls to exact cable tensions and inspecting fittings is the same precision and load discipline a rigger uses to hang loads on a stage, in a shipyard, or on a construction lift.
Transfers: Cable tensioning and flight-control rigging, Load calculation and securing, Inspecting cables, fittings, and connectors for wear, Working safely with suspended loads.
How to get there: Earn a rigging certification (NCCCO or industry-specific) through a short course, then build hours under a lead rigger; entertainment and industrial rigging hire on demonstrated skill.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 3% (Little or no change)
Fitting and aligning airframe assemblies to spec is precision heavy-mechanical work, which is exactly what a millwright does installing and aligning machinery in plants and power stations.
Transfers: Installing and aligning heavy mechanical assemblies, Precision measurement and tolerances, Mechanical rigging and leveling, Hydraulic system maintenance.
How to get there: Enter through a millwright apprenticeship (often via the United Brotherhood of Carpenters) or a community-college industrial-maintenance program.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 13% (Much faster than average)
Hydraulic elevators and their guide rails, cables, and safeties draw on the same hydraulic and structural-integrity work behind airframes and landing gear.
Transfers: Hydraulic system installation and troubleshooting, Working safely around suspended and moving loads, Precision mechanical alignment, Inspecting structural and cable integrity.
How to get there: Enter through a NEIEP apprenticeship combining 4 years of paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction, leading to mechanic certification.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 5% (Faster than average)
AM work is built on finding cracks, corrosion, and structural defects before they fail, and that inspection eye transfers directly to verifying buildings and structures meet code.
Transfers: Structural integrity and corrosion inspection, Reading specifications and tolerances, Documenting defects against standards, Nondestructive and visual inspection methods.
How to get there: A combination of trades experience and inspection certification (ICC) is the standard route; many states require licensing, which trades experience helps satisfy.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · -1% (Little or no change)
Airframe pressure structures and the fit-up tolerances behind them map to building and maintaining industrial boilers and vessels, where seal integrity under pressure is everything.
Transfers: Assembling and sealing large pressure-bearing structures, Working to tight structural tolerances, Confined-space and high-pressure safety, Mechanical rigging and fit-up.
How to get there: Enter a Boilermakers union apprenticeship (typically 4 years of paid work plus classroom training) leading to journeyman status.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · -2% (Decline, steady replacement openings)
The skills behind the specialty carry further than the specialty. BMR rewrites your bullets for any of the paths above without making it sound like you have never done the work.
Free to start. Try as many angles as you want.
If you're applying to aviation MROs, composites manufacturers, or defense contractors — they understand your background. Sheet metal shops, composite repair facilities, and hydraulic overhaul shops use the same terminology.
But if you're targeting careers outside aviation and manufacturing — project management, construction, facilities maintenance, or quality roles — the hiring manager doesn't know what "BDR per NAVAIR 01-1A-21" means. The translations below reframe AM experience for non-aviation industries, converting your structural repair and manufacturing background into language that resonates with hiring managers across different sectors.
Before, in service
BDR qualified on F/A-18E; assessed and repaired structural damage to flight control surfaces during deployment, returning aircraft to mission-capable within 4 hours
After, on the resume
Certified in emergency structural assessment and rapid repair procedures, restoring critical equipment to operational status within 4-hour windows through systematic damage evaluation and prioritized repairs
Before, in service
Qualified as CDI; inspected and signed off 300+ structural repairs including composite patches, sheet metal repairs, and flight control rigging per NAVAIR standards
After, on the resume
Served as certified quality inspector, independently approving 300+ structural fabrication and repair actions on high-value equipment, maintaining zero defect escape rate
Before, in service
Performed composite damage repairs on F/A-18E flight control surfaces per NAVAIR 01-1A-21, including vacuum bag layup, autoclave curing, and NDI verification
After, on the resume
Executed advanced composite material repairs on aerospace structures per industry standards, utilizing vacuum-assisted resin transfer and autoclave curing processes with post-repair non-destructive inspection verification
Before, in service
Managed corrosion control program for 12-aircraft squadron: scheduled inspections, tracked treatment applications, maintained CDI compliance, reduced corrosion-related grounding by 40%
After, on the resume
Directed an asset preservation program for a $900M equipment fleet, implementing systematic inspection schedules and protective treatment protocols that reduced degradation-related downtime by 40%
Before, in service
Troubleshot F/A-18E flight control hydraulic systems; performed servo valve overhaul and system operational checks restoring full flight control authority
After, on the resume
Diagnosed fluid power system malfunctions through systematic pressure and flow testing; rebuilt precision control components to factory specifications, restoring full system functionality and operational capability
Before, in service
Applied primers and topcoats per MIL-PRF-85285 on F/A-18E airframes; managed paint booth operations including environmental controls and HAZMAT compliance
After, on the resume
Applied industrial protective coatings per federal specifications, managing coating facility operations including environmental controls, quality verification, and hazardous materials compliance
Before, in service
Maintained Martin-Baker ejection seats on F/A-18E/F fleet; performed scheduled inspections, cartridge replacements, and functional checks with zero discrepancies
After, on the resume
Maintained critical safety systems on high-value equipment, executing scheduled inspections, component replacements, and functional verification with zero discrepancies across all maintenance cycles
Before, in service
Served as AM work center LPO; supervised 10 structural mechanics, managed $1.5M tool inventory, and maintained 98% work center readiness through 7-month deployment
After, on the resume
Supervised a 10-person structural fabrication team, managing $1.5M in specialized equipment and tooling, maintaining 98% operational readiness throughout continuous production cycles
BMR turns your AM duties and accomplishments into civilian bullets aimed at the job you are applying for. No manual translation.
Free to start. Tailored to each posting.
Which ones you need depends on where you are headed.
RecommendedCost $2,000-$5,000Time 1-2 weeksGI Bill eligibleIndustry-recognized composite repair training. Your Navy composite experience provides a strong foundation. Aerospace employers value this credential.
RequiredCost $150-$900 (exam fees)Time 2-4 months prep if qualifying on military experienceGI Bill eligibleRequired for civilian aviation. AMs are strong on the Airframe portion. Document all maintenance experience including any engine-related work for the Powerplant exam.
BeneficialCost $300-$1,000Time 1-4 weeks testingGI Bill eligibleFor AMs with welding experience. Opens doors in construction, manufacturing, and structural fabrication beyond aviation.
RecommendedCost $150-$300 (exam fees)Time Requires A&P + 3 years experienceAllows return-to-service approvals after major structural repairs. CDI/QAR experience is a stepping stone.
RecommendedCost $405-$555 (exam fee)Time 3-6 months prepGI Bill eligibleStructural repair project experience counts toward PMP project hours. Strong for management career paths.
BeneficialCost $350-$500 (exam fee)Time 3-6 months prepGI Bill eligibleFor AMs targeting construction management. Blueprint reading, project coordination, and quality control skills transfer directly.
RecommendedCost $438-$618 (exam fee)Time 3-6 months studyGI Bill eligibleCDI/QAR experience maps to AS9100 quality systems. Strong credential for manufacturing QA roles.
BeneficialCost $200-$400Time 2-4 monthsGI Bill eligibleProcess improvement methodology. Strengthens candidacy for production management and operations roles.
RecommendedCost $150-$300Time 4 daysStandard for construction industry. Complements AM structural background for construction management and safety roles.
RecommendedCost $300-$500 (exam fee)Time 3-6 months studyGI Bill eligibleGold standard safety credential. AM HAZMAT and confined space experience counts toward requirements.
Placement decides whether a screener ever sees it. BMR knows where each one ranks, what to call it, and how to frame it.
Free to start. Built around your real certs and clearance.
FAA A&P License: Required for civilian aviation maintenance. AMs are well-positioned for the Airframe portion — submit FAA Form 8610-2 with your training records and maintenance documentation to your local FSDO. For the Powerplant portion, document any engine-related maintenance you performed. Don't pay for school until you've checked direct qualification.
SkillBridge Programs: Aviation MROs and composites manufacturers participate in DOD SkillBridge. Search the SkillBridge database for structural repair and composites programs. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and several MROs have offered SkillBridge positions.
Advanced Composite Training: If you want to specialize in composites, the Abaris Training composite repair courses are industry-recognized. Some GI Bill approved. Your Navy composite experience gives you a significant head start.
Sheet Metal Journeyman License: Some states and unions require journeyman certification. Military sheet metal experience often counts toward apprenticeship hours. Check with your local SMACNA chapter or union hall.
AWS Welding Certifications: If you have any welding experience from AM work, American Welding Society (AWS) certifications open doors across construction, manufacturing, and repair industries.
Project Management: The PMP certification (PMI) is strong for AMs targeting management roles. Structural repair project coordination counts toward experience requirements.
Federal Employment (USAJobs): Create your USAJobs profile immediately. Key agencies: NAVAIR, Fleet Readiness Centers, NASA, Army depots, and Air Force depots. Federal resumes are 2 pages max. Build yours here.
Veteran Networking: American Corporate Partners (ACP) provides free mentorship from corporate executives. Completely free for veterans.
Clearance Leverage: Defense contractors pay a premium for cleared structural mechanics. ClearanceJobs.com lists positions requiring active clearances.
Education Benefits: Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to verify program approval. For AMs, composites technology degrees, manufacturing engineering programs, and A&P prep courses are strong investments.
Navy Resume Guide: Rating Translation | Complete Military Resume Guide | Top Companies Hiring Veterans | Build Your Resume Free
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For civilian aviation maintenance, yes. AMs typically qualify strongly for the Airframe portion of the exam based on military experience. Submit FAA Form 8610-2 with your training records and maintenance logs to your local FSDO. For the Powerplant portion, document any engine-related work you performed. Many AMs qualify for both, but verify with your FSDO before assuming.
According to BLS May 2024 data, the median annual wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians is $75,020 (O*NET 49-3011.00), with the top 10% earning over $109,000. Specialized composites technicians at aerospace manufacturers and MROs can earn above median depending on their expertise level and location.
Increasingly so. Composite materials are used in wind turbine blades, automotive manufacturing (EVs especially), marine construction, and sporting goods. The wind energy industry alone needs thousands of composite repair technicians. Your aerospace composites background represents the highest standard of composite work — other industries actively seek that quality standard.
AM skills transfer broadly. Sheet metal and composites fabrication skills apply to construction, manufacturing, and marine industries. Hydraulic system experience transfers to heavy equipment, industrial machinery, and facilities maintenance. Quality assurance experience (CDI/QAR) applies to any manufacturing or production environment. See Career Change Paths for specific roles, salaries, and entry paths.
Yes. An active Secret clearance saves employers $5,000-15,000+ and months of investigation time. Defense contractors specifically seek cleared structural mechanics for classified aircraft programs. ClearanceJobs.com lists these positions. Your clearance stays active up to 24 months after separation.
For aviation — get your A&P first. For composites specialization — Abaris Training or equivalent programs are valuable investments. For manufacturing or engineering — a manufacturing engineering or materials science degree opens doors. For management — PMP or Lean Six Sigma certifications offer faster ROI. Use the VA GI Bill Comparison Tool to verify program approval before enrolling.
For aviation: start FAA A&P paperwork immediately. For composites: document all composite repair training and qualifications from the Navy. For quality: if you have CDI/QAR, consider ASQ CQE. For safety: OSHA 30-Hour General Industry or Construction. For welding: AWS certification if you have welding experience. Keep First Aid/CPR current.
Veterans' Preference gives you 5 or 10 extra points on federal hiring assessments. You need your DD-214 (Member 4 copy) and SF-15 form. NAVAIR and FRC facilities sometimes use Direct Hire Authority for aircraft mechanic positions. Apply at or below GS-11 where VPref is strongest. Start your federal resume at bestmilitaryresume.com.
For aviation: MRO centers (Miami, Dallas, Tulsa, Cincinnati, Atlanta), airline hubs, and military depot cities (Cherry Point, Jacksonville, San Diego). For composites: wind energy (Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma), aerospace manufacturing (Wichita, Seattle, Marietta GA). For general manufacturing: any area with aerospace, automotive, or marine manufacturing. Defense contractor hubs (DC Metro, Hampton Roads, San Diego) offer the best leverage on clearances.
Yes — start 12 months before your EAOS. Begin A&P certification paperwork immediately. At 180 days out, explore SkillBridge programs at MROs or composites manufacturers. Have your resume ready 6 months out. Apply to federal positions early — federal hiring takes 3-6 months. Network with aviation maintenance professionals on LinkedIn and attend industry events like MRO Americas.
Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Career data from O*NET OnLine.
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