Bench Mechanic

Founded in 1849, Ducommun is the oldest company in California. Starting as a hardware supply store during the Gold Rush, we helped launch the aerospace industry by supplying aircraft aluminum to pioneers like Lindbergh, Douglas, and Lockheed. Today, we are a global provider of innovative manufacturing solutions for aerospace, defense, and industrial markets, specializing in electronic and structural systems, complex assemblies, and advanced forming technologies.

About the role

Work with general supervision to plan, lay out, fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal parts, equipment, and products. This role is based at our Gardena, CA facility, a leading supplier of large stretch-formed aircraft skins, hot-formed titanium, superplastic forming, and complex fastened and welded assemblies.

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret blueprints, sketches, or product specifications to determine fabrication, assembly, and installation sequences.
• Perform deburring operations, including stripping maskant and silstic from finished chem-mill parts.
• Remove burrs and sharp edges using hand tools such as files, edge breakers, and air/electric equipment with abrasive disks and sleeves.
• Operate burring equipment, including countersinks, grinding wheels, burring rolls, bench grinders, rotary files, drill presses, and jitterbugs.
• Control thickness using ultrasonic gages, micrometers, calipers, and scales to meet close tolerances (±.002).
• Handle and manage hazardous waste generated in the work area.
• Lead projects and participate in project committees as assigned.
• Comply with all applicable ISO procedures (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001) and safety policies.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent; 1–3 years of experience preferred.
• Ability to read, interpret, and comprehend blueprints, shop drawings, and chem-mill templates, with emphasis on chemical milling features and special conditions.
• Basic math skills: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to follow written, oral, or diagram-based instructions and apply common-sense understanding to standardized situations.
• Team-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Basic computer skills; ability to learn new software with assistance.
• Critical thinking and effective communication across all organizational levels.

Working Conditions

• 95% in a manufacturing environment; 5% outdoors.
• Regular exposure to fumes, airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Occasional exposure to wet/humid conditions and airborne particles.
• Moderate noise levels; hearing protection and hard hats required in certain areas.
• Must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety glasses and fully enclosed steel/composite-toe shoes.

Pay

Base compensation: USD 19.00 – 20.94 per hour (paid hourly). Depending on skills, qualifications, and experience, candidates may be hired into entry (I), intermediate (II), or expert (III) levels.

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick time.
• 401K match and Employee Stock Purchase Program.
• Annual bonus plan.
• Tuition reimbursement.