Aviation Plating Shop Technician – Production (Technical Workshop) at Kenya Airways PLC

Job Description

Purpose

To carry out electroplating and surface treatment processes on aircraft components in accordance with approved maintenance procedures and aviation industry standards, ensuring airworthiness, corrosion protection, and dimensional restoration.

Responsibilities

• Perform electroplating operations (e.g., cadmium, nickel, chrome) on metallic components per engineering requirements and maintenance manual.
• Prepare components by cleaning, degreasing, masking, and surface finishing prior to plating.
• Operate and maintain plating tanks, rectifiers, and solution chemistry, ensuring correct voltage, current, and immersion times.
• Monitor and adjust bath composition and parameters (pH, temperature, concentration) to maintain plating quality.
• Conduct anodizing, passivation, chemical etching, and conversion coating (e.g., Alodine) as required.
• Interpret technical drawings, repair schemes, and specifications (e.g., AMS, MIL, and OEM standards).
• Record all work in job cards, plating logs, and component history documents in line with regulatory requirements.
• Conduct visual and dimensional inspections before and after plating using gauges, micrometers, or NDT (if qualified).
• Adhere to safety, health, and environmental protocols, especially in handling and disposing of hazardous chemicals.
• Assist in bath maintenance, waste treatment, and periodic chemical testing (e.g., titration, specific gravity).

Skills

• Skilled in bath control and solution maintenance
• Familiarity with corrosion prevention and rework standards
• Precision and attention to detail
• Safety consciousness and proper use of PPE
• Good documentation and communication skills

Qualifications

• Diploma in Electroplating, Applied Sciences, Aircraft Maintenance, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 3 years in aerospace plating or surface finishing environment.
• Aircraft maintenance license (advantageous but not mandatory); relevant CNC/machining certifications.
• NASF (National Association for Surface Finishing) training (e.g., CEF – Certified Electroplater Finisher)
• Safety or HazMat handling certifications
• Awareness of EASA, or military aviation plating requirements
• Familiarity with specifications like AMS 2404 (Nickel Plating), AMS 2401 (Cadmium), MIL-DTL-5541 (Conversion Coating), etc.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO/IEC17025 / AS9100 quality systems
• Minimum 3 years in an aviation or aerospace machine shop environment.

Additional Information

• In-depth knowledge of electrochemical plating processes
• Understanding of electrochemical principles (e.g., anode/cathode relationships, current density, voltage control)
• Familiarity with immersion time calculations and thickness control
• Ability to handle both functional and decorative plating processes
• Skilled in post-plating operations: hydrogen embrittlement relief (baking), passivation, chromate conversion, or painting
• Understanding of aviation materials and surface treatment requirements
• Ability to follow OEM Component Maintenance Manuals (CMMs) and technical specifications