Aerospace Deburr Technician
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Department: Operations / Manufacturing
Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Wage Range: $18-$24/hour
Reports To: Cell Supervisor / Production Supervisor
Position Summary
The Aerospace Deburr Technician is responsible for precision deburring, edge finishing, polishing, cleaning, and inspection of CNC-machined components manufactured for aerospace and other high-precision industries.
This position requires exceptional attention to detail, manual dexterity, and a strong commitment to quality. Aerospace Deburr Technicians work from blueprints, customer specifications, work instructions, and quality requirements to ensure components meet required edge condition, surface finish, dimensional, and cosmetic standards without altering critical part features.
The role is an important final step in the manufacturing process and directly impacts product quality, customer satisfaction, and on-time delivery.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Perform precision deburring and hand finishing of CNC-machined aerospace components.
- Remove burrs, sharp edges, tool marks, and minor surface imperfections while maintaining required dimensions and part geometry.
- Break edges, blend surfaces, polish, sand, file, scrape, and finish parts according to blueprint and customer requirements.
- Use appropriate hand and power tools, which may include:
- Files and stones
- Scrapers and deburring knives
- Rotary/Dremel-type tools
- Pneumatic deburring tools
- Abrasive wheels and pads
- Sanders and polishing equipment
- Drill presses and other finishing equipment
- Read and follow blueprints, drawings, travelers, routers, work instructions, and customer specifications.
- Identify specified edge breaks, radii, surface finishes, and other finishing requirements.
- Perform visual and dimensional inspection of completed work.
- Use basic precision measuring equipment such as calipers, micrometers, gauges, comparators, or other inspection devices as trained.
- Protect critical dimensions, threads, holes, sealing surfaces, and cosmetic surfaces during finishing operations.
- Handle delicate and high-value components carefully to prevent scratches, dents, contamination, or other damage.
- Clean and prepare parts for subsequent manufacturing operations, inspection, assembly, or shipment.
- Identify and communicate defects, nonconforming conditions, or questionable specifications before continuing work.
- Accurately complete required production, quality, and traceability documentation.
- Maintain tools and equipment in safe operating condition.
- Maintain a clean, organized work area in accordance with 5S standards.
- Follow all company safety procedures, PPE requirements, quality procedures, and work instructions.
- Support productivity, scrap reduction, continuous improvement, and on-time delivery goals.
- Work collaboratively with Machining, Quality, Engineering, and Production leadership to resolve part or process concerns.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Quality Expectations
Because this position works with precision aerospace components, the Aerospace Deburr Technician is expected to:
- Work consistently to documented specifications rather than personal judgment or appearance alone.
- Understand that excessive material removal can make a conforming part nonconforming.
- Maintain required edge conditions and surface finishes.
- Verify work before releasing parts to the next operation.
- Stop and escalate concerns when requirements are unclear.
- Maintain accurate part identification and traceability.
- Protect customer product throughout the deburring and finishing process.
- Demonstrate a strong quality-at-the-source mindset.
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED.
- Strong manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
- Exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to perform repetitive, detail-intensive work while maintaining consistent quality.
- Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions.
- Basic math skills, including decimals and measurement.
- Ability to distinguish small surface imperfections and part features.
- Dependable attendance and ability to work effectively as part of a manufacturing team.
- Ability to safely use small hand and power tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- 1+ year of experience in deburring, polishing, grinding, finishing, machining, or precision manufacturing.
- Previous aerospace manufacturing experience.
- Experience reading manufacturing blueprints and technical drawings.
- Understanding of basic GD&T concepts.
- Experience using calipers, micrometers, gauges, or other precision inspection equipment.
- Familiarity with CNC-machined components and tight-tolerance manufacturing.
- Experience working within an AS9100 or similar quality management system.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, or continuous improvement practices.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Successful Aerospace Deburr Technicians demonstrate:
- Precision: Ability to perform detailed work without removing excessive material.
- Quality Focus: Recognizes that cosmetic and dimensional requirements are equally important when specified.
- Patience: Comfortable completing intricate work requiring concentration for extended periods.
- Mechanical Aptitude: Understands how tools, materials, and finishing methods affect the finished component.
- Problem Solving: Recognizes unusual conditions and seeks assistance before creating a defect.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of workmanship and inspection.
- Communication: Clearly communicates quality, tooling, and production concerns.
- Teamwork: Works effectively with operators, machinists, Quality, Engineering, and leadership.
Physical Requirements
The employee must be able to:
- Sit or stand for extended periods.
- Perform repetitive hand, wrist, and finger movements.
- Maintain visual focus on small and detailed components.
- Safely operate hand and power tools.
- Handle and manipulate small precision parts.
- Lift and move materials or components consistent with the requirements of the work area.
- Wear required personal protective equipment.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Measures of Success
Performance in this position may be evaluated based on:
- First-pass quality
- Scrap and rework
- Compliance with blueprint and customer requirements
- Productivity and completion of assigned work
- Accurate documentation and traceability
- Attendance and dependability
- Safety and 5S performance
- Proper care and handling of customer product
- Teamwork and communication
- Demonstrated progression in deburring and inspection skills
