Jobs / United States / Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

F35 Aircraft Mechanic 3/4 - CFT (LO / Structures)

United States-California-San Diego Posted today

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Sponsorship verdict

Posting rules out sponsorship

The posting rules out sponsorship or requires citizenship or security clearance.

  • No government sponsor record hereThis employer posted directly and does not match a government sponsor register.
  • The posting doesn’t mention sponsorshipSilence isn’t a refusal — ask the recruiter before investing much time.
  • No salary bar for this routeH-1B has no fixed salary bar: the employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and area.
  • Citizenship requirement statedFrom the posting’s own wording.
  • Confirmed live todayWhen a source last listed this job as open.
Details and sources
No salary bar for this route
H-1B has no fixed salary bar: the employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and area. Cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23853/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b, rules effective 2026-02-27.

US H-1B: cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level — Level I gets 1 entry, Level IV gets 4 (DHS projected selection odds ≈15% at Level I to ≈61% at Level IV). Universities and non-profit research employers are cap-exempt. The $100,000 fee for new petitions from abroad is currently blocked by a court order (appeal pending).

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Before you apply

Review before applying

Citizenship requirement stated — the posting’s wording suggests candidates who already hold work rights. Read the original listing carefully.

Sponsorship unknown

No register record and no sponsorship wording in the posting. Worth asking the employer before investing significant time.

These come from the posting’s own wording. Read the original listing to confirm. See better-fit alternatives →

About the role

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history. Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) is seeking an F-35 Aircraft Low Observable (LO) Mech 3-4 for F-35 Aircraft Maintenance, Upgrade and Overhaul (MUO) CFT at MCAS Miramar, CA. Will perform duties as part of a Contract Field Team (CFT) responsible for depot-level modifications performed at Department of Navy (DoN) locations.  This role is responsible for the preparation, application, and verification of Low Observable (LO) materials on F-35 aircraft outer mold line structures. Key duties include:  • Preparing composite and metallic surfaces for coatings through sanding, stripping, vacuuming, porosity testing, masking, and other tasks. • Mixing and applying sealants, gap fillers, paints, and coatings, ensuring proper spraying consistency and using heating devices as needed. • Applying surface details according to manufacturer specifications and performing similar duties in aircraft modification, reassembly, or maintenance. • Verifying the condition and conformity of installed LO materials, determining repair needs, and making corrections or reinstallations as required by design changes. • Setting up and operating material testers and mixers. • Reading and interpreting engineering drawings, technical manuals, and repair documentation, including understanding symbols, flags, and notes. • Identifying aircraft locations using station, butt-line, and waterline references from engineering documents and technical orders. • Using precision measuring instruments such as micrometers, calipers, and scales. • Demonstrating extensive experience with tools including drills, angle motors, shears, drill presses, and pneumatic riveters. • Being familiar with various aircraft materials, including aluminum, steel, titanium, plastic, and advanced composites. • Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required to safely perform job tasks. Additionally, all team members will perform other duties as part of a CFT responsible for depot level modifications performed at customer locations. As part of the CFT, members are expected to assist in other technical disciplines as requested by Team Leads or management.  Basic Qualifications • Mech 3 - High School Diploma/GED and 4 years relative work experience as an Aircraft LO/Structures Tech equivalent to USAF 5 level or DoN CDI. • Mech 4 - High School Diploma/GED and 6 years relative work experience as an Aircraft LO/Structures Tech equivalent to USAF 7 level or DoN CDQ. • Proficient in reading and interpreting schematics, assembly drawings, process specifications, technical manuals, written instructions, test procedures, etc.  • Must have an Active Government Secret Clearance or higher (US Citizenship required)  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable period of time, as determined

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