Finishing Technician

AV8 MRO, a Victor Sierra Aviation company, is a leading FAA and EASA-certified aircraft component repair station specializing in the overhaul, repair, modification, testing, and exchange of aircraft landing gear systems and related components. We are committed to delivering exceptional quality, service, and operational excellence to customers around the world.

Position Summary

The Finishing Technician supports the overhaul, repair, and finish restoration of corporate/business jet landing gear components, including cadmium electroplating operations, in accordance with FAA regulations, OEM component maintenance manuals (CMMs), and repair station quality procedures. This role directly supports the corrosion protection and structural integrity of high-strength steel landing gear parts, where finishing quality and process control — particularly hydrogen embrittlement relief — are airworthiness-critical.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

General Finishing

• Perform surface preparation on landing gear components including cleaning, masking, grit/media blasting, and chemical treatment per CMM instructions
• Apply primers, topcoats, and specialty coatings (epoxy, polyurethane) to landing gear struts, cylinders, and associated hardware
• Strip existing plating/coatings using approved chemical, mechanical, or media methods without damaging base metal or altering dimensional tolerances
• Mask threads, bores, bearing surfaces, and critical dimensions to precise tolerances prior to plating or coating

Cadmium Plating Operations

• Operate cadmium electroplating tanks/lines, including cleaning, activation, plating, and rinse stages per CMM and process specifications
• Monitor and control plating parameters (current density, plating time, solution chemistry, temperature) to achieve specified plate thickness
• Perform required hydrogen embrittlement relief (bake-out) on high-strength steel components within specified post-plating time windows, and accurately document bake time/temperature/part serial data
• Conduct or coordinate plating thickness verification and adhesion testing per applicable specs (e.g., AMS, QQ-P-416, or OEM-specific standards)
• Maintain plating bath chemistry, perform titrations/analysis or coordinate with chemical control processes, and log solution maintenance
• Handle, store, and dispose of cadmium plating chemicals and rinse waters incompliance with EPA, state, and local hazardous waste regulations

Inspection & Documentation

• Inspect landing gear surfaces for corrosion, pitting, cracks, or plating defects prior to release; document findings and non-conformances per RSM/QCM
• Complete all required work cards, plating logs, hydrogen embrittlement relief records, and material certifications with traceability to part serial number
• Read and interpret landing gear CMMs, OEM service bulletins, and engineering drawings for finish/plating specifications and dimensional callouts

Compliance & Safety

• Use required PPE and respiratory protection (including supplied-air or PAPR as applicable) during plating, blasting, and coating operations
• Operate and maintain spray booths, plating tanks, blast cabinets, ventilation systems, and curing/bake ovens
• Maintain a clean, organized, FOD-free work area and follow proper chemical segregation/storage practices

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 2+ years of experience in aircraft or automotive finishing, electroplating, or industrial metal finishing (landing gear experience strongly preferred)
• Working knowledge of surface preparation, plating processes, and coating application
• Understanding of, or willingness to be trained on, hydrogen embrittlement risks and relief procedures for high-strength steel
• Ability to read CMMs, engineering drawings, and OEM finish/plating specifications
• Ability to safely work with plating chemicals, acids, and solvents, including proper PPE and respiratory protection use
• Strong attention to detail; understanding of the airworthiness consequences of finishing errors on flight-critical landing gear components
• Must pass pre-employment drug screen, background check
• Subject to random drug and alcohol testing per FAA/DOT regulations

Work Environment

Work is performed in a warehouse, plating shop, and paint shop environment, with exposure to plating chemicals (including cadmium solutions), acids, solvents, and coating fumes. This role is subject to OSHA's Cadmium Standard exposure controls, including engineering controls, PPE requirements.

Why AV8?

At AV8, you're part of a team dedicated to precision, quality, and continuous improvement. Whether you're manufacturing components, solving problems, or sharing new ideas, your work helps keep aircraft operating safely around the world. We believe in doing the right thing, delivering exceptional quality, and working together with integrity to build products our customers can depend on.

We offer

• A collaborative, hands-on culture where ideas take flight and your voice matters.
• Competitive pay and benefits and room to grow.
• A supportive crew of aviation pros who are passionate about what they do.

AV8 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.