Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a F-18 Flight Operations Technician 3 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our organization. This role is located in San Antonio, Texas.
In this position, you will perform maintenance operations on F-18 aircraft, F-18 aircraft equipment, F-18 engines, F-18 components, and systems in accordance with DOD, manufacturer, company, supplier and other directives in support of aircraft modification.
Job Duties
- Performs a combination of responsibilities consisting of complex mechanical duties in all fields of specialization for the flight line, including power plant, run-in plumbing, hydraulics, rigging, and controls, and structures and surfaces on the complete airplane.
- Performs mechanical and operational duties for pre-flight and post-flight service and inspection and/or in preparation of customer acceptance of completed airplanes.
- Performs operations such as disassembling, repairing, replacing, rechecking, testing, re-rigging, servicing, and re-installing as necessary.
- Operates aircraft power plants and ground equipment during acceptance checks, trouble shooting and routine maintenance of aircraft.
- May troubleshoot malfunctions/defects and schedule/modify maintenance procedures.
- Maintain practical knowledge of certified aircraft and ground support systems such as controls, fuel, hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic, fire control and armament components.
Basic Qualifications:
- Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) and at least 4 years of aircraft maintenance experience
- Must be able to obtain a DoD Secret level security clearance once hired; and have the ability to maintain that clearance for continued employment
- Able to read and interpret schematics, assembly drawings, process specifications, technical manuals, written instructions, test procedures, etc.
- Able to perform assigned duties on all shifts without encumbrances due to weather or physical location and conditions.
- This position requires the ability to perform moderate strenuous physical and repetitious work to include bending, stooping, kneeling, carrying tools, lifting up to 50 pounds, working overhead, and accessing small, confined spaces
- Must be able to pass a physical/respiratory evaluation to obtain and maintain necessary respirator clearance and compliance with all respirator fitting requirements
Preferred Qualifications:
- Fighter type aircraft maintenance experience
- A&P license
- U.S. Navy or USMC background
- Active Secret DoD clearance
Skills Required
- High school diploma or GED
- At least 4 years of aircraft maintenance experience
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance
- Ability to read and interpret schematics, assembly drawings, process specifications, technical manuals, instructions, and test procedures
- Ability to work all shifts and perform duties in varying weather, physical locations, and conditions
- Ability to perform strenuous, repetitive physical work, including lifting up to 50 pounds and accessing confined spaces
- Ability to pass physical and respiratory evaluations and meet respirator-fitting requirements
- Fighter aircraft maintenance experience
- Airframe and Powerplant license
- U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps background
- Active Secret DoD clearance
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.







