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This position has closed. Boeing removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Assembly Mechanic

Boeing · Mascoutah, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 22, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you found a problem with the drawings or work instructions. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they raise engineering questions through the right channels instead of guessing.

Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team on a tight schedule. How did you contribute?

What they are checking: Whether they can work well with others while keeping quality on a production schedule.

What would you do

You drilled a hole and it measures out of tolerance. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stop and report nonconformance instead of hiding or reworking it alone.

The MQ-25 is an unmanned aircraft with no pilot on board to catch a problem in flight. Why does that matter to how you approach quality?

What they are checking: Whether they connect their own work to safety and mission success for the end user.

What do you do if a teammate asks you to skip an inspection step to stay on schedule?

What they are checking: Whether they hold to procedure under peer pressure.

About the work

Walk me through how you read an engineering drawing before starting a structural assembly.

What they are checking: Whether they read blueprints carefully, including tolerances and notes, before cutting or drilling.

How do you set up a ream fixture to drill and ream mating holes in major assemblies?

What they are checking: Whether they have real experience with precision hole preparation on aircraft structure.

Explain the difference between installing a press fit bushing and a force fit bushing.

What they are checking: Whether they understand interference fits and how to install them without damaging the part.

What measuring instruments do you use most, and how do you make sure they read correctly?

What they are checking: Whether they check tools and measure precisely, since aircraft parts allow little error.

How do you keep foreign object debris out of an aircraft while you work?

What they are checking: Whether they practice FOD prevention, which is a basic safety habit in aircraft assembly.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Boeing from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Boeing.

Assembly Mechanic Company: Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS) has an exciting opportunity for Assembly Mechanics to support MQ-25 in Mascoutah, IL. The primary responsibility of this role is to assemble, install, and test structural components and systems according to engineering specifications and industry standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in structural assembly, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. Position Responsibilities: Individual job duties may include, but are not limited to: • Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications to understand assembly requirements for structural components. • Assemble structural components, including beams, frames, panels, brackets, and other structural elements, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments. • Assemble precision assemblies, set up and operate ream fixtures to drill, ream, countersink, spot face, hone and bore for mating major assemblies. • Install press fit bushings and force fit bushings. File, fit, hone, ream, drill, tap, saw, burr and adjust. • Assemble a variety of production aircraft and spacecraft parts and install aircraft equipment, support equipment or power plant equipment. • Install structural components into production aircraft ensuring proper alignment and connection. • Test assembled structural systems to ensure functionality, safety, and compliance with quality standards. • Assemble aircraft and/or spacecraft structures or aircraft and/or spacecraft support equipment structures with or without the aid of jigs and fixtures by drilling, reaming, countersinking, stop countersinking, dimpling as assigned, burring, fastening, filing, filling, fitting, aligning, trimming, shimming and remove surface defects as assigned. • Perform skilled assembly operations such as: shimming, fitting, trimming and aligning which may vary considerably from one assembly to another as with fairings and the mating of major assemblies; realigning or replacing ribs, bulkheads or stringers in skinned assemblies; establishing from blue-prints with or without firm callouts, butt, center, chord, station and water lines; blind pick up of hole locations for blank parts from existing structure; correcting cans, buckles, wrinkles in outer skins and remove surface defects as assigned. • Troubleshoot and repair structural malfunctions or defects in assembled systems. • Collaborate with engineers and other team members to identify and resolve design or assembly issues. • Maintain accurate records of assembly activities, including component inventory, work orders, and test results. • Adhere to safety protocols and maintain a clean and organized work area. The following Physical Demands may be requirements of this job: Limited (0-1 Hrs) Crawling, Lying Down (back, front, side), Forceful grasping, Occasional (1-3 Hrs) Requires lifting, pushing, pulling, and supporting up to 35lbs, Bending at the waist, kneeling, crouching, squatting, reaching. The position may have frequent (3-6 hrs) exposure to Noise. Exposure to noise, hazardous chemicals, moving parts and occasional exposure to high/exposed places. Frequent lifting, pushing, pulling up to 35 lbs. Frequent standing, reaching, handling, and turning. Working on elevated and/or uneven surfaces. This position requires eye, hearing and other personal protective equipment, frequent (up to 8 hours) of standing, occasional (1-3 Hrs) climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, squatting and working on ladders. Use of personal protective equipment for face/eyes and ears may be required. This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at one of the listed location option. Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience): • Experience with aircraft structural parts fabrication, assembly processes and procedures • Experience with sheet metal assemblies, drilling, countersinking, riveting, and fastener installation • Experience in electrical assembly installation • Experience in assembly or mechanical work • Experience using hand tools and/or hand-held power tools Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience): • Aircraft assembly experience • Experience in reading and understanding engineering drawings, blueprints, schematics, and specifications Conflict of Interest: Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company’s Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process Drug Free Workplace: Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies . Additional Information: • The selected candidate must be able to work any shift, as assigned. • This is an hourly position governed by the IAM Collective Bargaining agreement. • New Hires, as well as employees who transfer from non-union positions, may be required to attend some type of training upon their start. Once any required training has been completed all new employees will be considered on probation for a period of one hundred twenty (120) calendar days. Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of any required training and the probationary period. Shift: • The candidate must be able to work any shift assigned Relocation: • Relocation assistance is not a negotiable benefit for this position. Candidates must live in the immediate area or relocate at their own expense Total Rewards: At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements. Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Summary pay range: $24.00/hourly - $51.27/hourly Language Requirements: Not Applicable Education: Not Applicable Relocation: Relocation assistance is not a negotiable benefit for this position. Export Control Requirement: Safety Sensitive: Security Clearance: This position does not require a Security Clearance. Visa Sponsorship: Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status. Contingent Upon Award Program This position is not contingent upon program award Shift: Stay safe from recruitment fraud! The only way to apply for a position at Boeing is via our Careers website. Learn how to protect yourself from recruitment fraud - Recruitment Fraud Warning Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. EEO is the law Boeing EEO Policy Request an Accommodation Applicant Privacy Boeing Participates in E – Verify • E-Verify (English) • E-Verify (Spanish) Right to Work Statement • Right to Work (English) • Right to Work (Spanish)