Aircraft Mechanic

Metrea; Menifee (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance options

Dental and vision insurance

Retirement plan eligibility

Parental leave

Job summary

Metrea is seeking an Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic to perform maintenance and documentation on KC-135R aircraft for aerial refueling ops. Responsibilities include daily inspections, troubleshooting, and servicing hydraulics, avionics, and engines.

Requires attention to detail, strong problem-solving, and independence. The role demands 5+ years KC-135 experience, A&P license, and readiness to work in a maintenance facility with potential 35–50% travel.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of KC-135 aircraft maintenance experience.
• A&P license is required.
• Engine run qualification and NCATT Aircraft Electronics Certificate considered a plus.
• Valid Driver’s License and Passport are required.

Responsibilities

• Inspect KC-135 mechanical components to identify problems.
• Maintain and repair KC-135 systems: hydraulics, avionics, jet engine, electrics, fuel, sheet metal, avionics, and structural components.
• Perform daily inspections, aircraft handling, refueling operations, and troubleshoot discrepancies.
• Record maintenance in automated systems and follow FAA regulations.

Skills

KC-135 maintenance

A&P license

MS Office (Word, Excel)

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Company Overview

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas. These include airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special air missions, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. We own the whole stack: designing, building, and operating turnkey capabilities that give our partners decisive, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats.

Our operating model is built around three interlocking pillars. The Support Groups provide a global shared-service – spanning people, finance, platform, operations, legal, and engagement. This frees up our Core Groups, who develop and own mission capabilities end-to-end, to focus entirely on delivery. The Market Groups apply a regional lens, ensuring that our agile and adaptable capabilities remain aligned to the wicked problems that matter most to our partners across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.

At the heart of our model is a simple but powerful idea: be a true partner with skin in the game. Our partners need effects, not just equipment. By owning the full stack – from the lab to the field – we are able to drive a continuous cycle of innovation that keeps our partners ahead. It’s a fast-moving, intellectually demanding environment where talented people are given real responsibility, work on problems that matter, and contribute to an enterprise that is growing quickly and deliberately.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, with facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, as well as Continental Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Group Overview

Air Mobility Group (AIRMOB) is responsible for developing and delivering Metrea’s aerial refueling (AAR) capabilities, ensuring the readiness and operational effectiveness of the tanker fleet. AIRMOB oversees fleet management, maintenance, and airworthiness, working to sustain and enhance refueling operations. It manages the integration of new processes and technologies, ensuring that tanker aircraft remain mission-ready through effective logistics, maintenance oversight, and regulatory compliance. By coordinating across various teams, AIRMOB ensures the fleet meets both current and future operational needs, supporting a range of specialized air mobility missions.

Position Summary

The Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic is responsible for successfully performing all facets of maintenance and documentation on KC-135R aircraft for private, commercial, Air-to-Air Refueling Operations. The Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic is also responsible for daily aircraft inspections in accordance with the approved Air Mobility (AIRMOB) processes.

What You’ll Do

• Inspect mechanical components of the KC-135 to identify problems
• Maintain and repair all systems of the KC-135 to include
  • Hydraulics System – Replace hydraulic components, bleed systems, and diagnose defects
  • Avionics – Guidance & Control / Radio Communications
  • Jet Engine – Inspection, engine control rigging, and basic maintenance
  • Electrics – Use wiring schematics, trace ground, and power faults, and rectify component failures
  • Minor Fuel system repair, replace seals, in tank fuel probes and fuel system components
  • Minor Sheet Metal repair, including minor riveting
  • Aero Repair – Repair, replacement, and rigging of flight control surfaces
  • Major / Minor aircraft inspections
• Perform daily aircraft inspections, launch/recover, refuel / defuel, debrief aircrew, troubleshoot, and repair discrepancies, jack aircraft, tow, and operate all required GSE (Ground Support Equipment)
• Follow all safety directives, maintenance procedures, and FAA regulations Remain current on all required training and certifications
• Accurately record aircraft maintenance in the automated maintenance records system
• Flight-line driving
• All other duties assigned

What You Bring

• 5+ years working with the KC-135 aircraft, towing, jacking, and hazardous material use, storage, and disposal
• Multi-Point Refueling System experience is a plus, but not essential
• CFM56 2-B jet engine experience is a plus, but not essential
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite products (specifically Word and Excel)

Certificates and Licenses:

• A&P – Required
• Engine run qualified, and an ASTM NCATT Aircraft Electronic Technician Certificate
• Valid Driver’s License
• Valid Passport

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Must be able to accomplish all duties with little or no assistance. Must have good command of the English language; oral and written
• Proven and demonstrable attention to detail skills
• Excellent problem-solving skills, having the ability to determine causes of errors and deciding on course of action to solveComprehensive understanding of company philosophy and processes
• Must be able to take initiative and work independently
• Excellent communication skills, the ability to read and understand information presented in writing

Benefits

• Medical insurance options
• Dental and vision insurance
• Retirement plan eligibility
• Parental leave

Work Authorization / Security Clearance

• Employee must be a US citizen
• Secret Security Clearance or the ability to obtain within 1 year of employment start date is preferred, but not required

AAP/EEO Statement

Metrea Strategic Mobility, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

PositionTypeandExpectedHoursofWork

This is a full-time non-exempt position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hours and work shifts may change in accordance with department and business needs. Non-exempt employees may be required to work over 40 hours per week with approval from the department manager.

WorkEnvironment

This job operates in a maintenance facility. This role routinely uses standard equipment such as cold chisels, ground power units for aircraft, integrated maintenance information systems, lifts, metal cutters, power drills, rivet tools, screwdrivers, wearable computing devices, and protective headsets/earplugs.

Travel

Travel requirements may be up to 35%-50% including both CONUS and OCONUS locations.

Base Pay Range

The compensation range shown below is a good faith estimate and reflects the expected base pay for this position upon hire. This is just one component of Metrea’s overall approach to total rewards and final compensation decisions, including the ultimate salary or hourly rate agreed upon, may vary depending on factors such as job location, job-specific knowledge, skills, experience, and the overall negotiated compensation package. Eligible full-time employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their health, wellbeing, and long-term success.

Pay Range

$32—$45 USD

Our Firmware

At Metrea, our single core value is Rooted in Humility, and our four cornerstone attributes are Entrepreneurial, Systematic, Discerning, and Over-Deliver. These form what we call our Teammate Firmware. Just like technical firmware connects software and hardware, our Firmware is the constant interface between our mission and our people. It defines how we show up, how we work together, and how we solve complex problems.

Our team Firmware creates a web-like, hyper-collaborative, dynamically hierarchical way of working that helps us adapt quickly, communicate openly, and distribute decision-making to where expertise actually lives. It enables groups to self-organize around hard problems, shift fluidly as priorities evolve, and operate with the trust, curiosity, and discipline required in a complex mission space. This foundation allows us to deliver elegant, effective solutions and uphold our purpose: protecting our precious inheritance.