Aerospace Jobs in Arlington, TX
Arlington sits in the middle of one of the country's biggest aerospace clusters, with Lockheed Martin's F-35 line in Fort Worth, Bell's systems integration lab inside the city, and Twenty-Six Defense headquartered next door. Here are the current openings, then who is hiring and how to get in.
Current aerospace Openings in Arlington, TX
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Aerospace Work in Arlington
Aerospace in Arlington is a commuter's industry built on the I-30 and I-20 corridors. Most of the production work sits a short drive west in Fort Worth, where Lockheed Martin Aeronautics builds the F-35 and Bell has its Dallas-Fort Worth operations, while Bell's 47,000 square foot Weapon Systems Integration Lab in Arlington tests fly-by-wire and mission systems for the Army. Twenty-Six Defense, the new name for Elbit Systems' U.S. business since September 2026, is headquartered in Fort Worth, and L3Harris runs aircraft and mission systems work at its Greenville site northeast of Dallas.
That mix means aerospace here is a ladder rather than one job title. Residents of north and east Arlington can reach Fort Worth plants via I-30, and the same employers hire assemblers, electrical installers, inspectors, buyers and engineers. Most defense programs require U.S. citizenship, and many require a clearance, which shapes who gets hired and how fast.
Top Arlington Employers Hiring in Aerospace
These employers have confirmed aerospace roles in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on their own career sites:
- Lockheed Martin Aeronautics - the F-35 producer hires aircraft electrical assemblers and manufacturing staff at its Fort Worth plant.
- Bell Textron - the rotorcraft maker recruits for manufacturing, operations and engineering at its Dallas-Fort Worth sites, including its Arlington integration lab.
- Twenty-Six Defense (formerly Elbit America) - the Fort Worth-based defense company hires systems engineers and supply chain buyers for aircraft displays, night vision and defense hardware.
- L3Harris - hires manufacturing engineers, electrical engineers and program managers for aircraft instrumentation and systems at its Greenville site.
Aerospace Salaries in Arlington
- Entry level (assembler, helper): about $18 to $26 per hour.
- Experienced (aircraft assembler, A&P mechanic, avionics tech): about $30 to $45 per hour.
- Senior (engineers, lead inspectors, program roles): about $100,000 to $160,000 per year.
These are estimates built from federal May 2025 wage data, where aircraft structure assemblers earned a median of $65,380 and aerospace engineers $134,960 nationally. Pay moves with clearance level, FAA certification, shift and program, and the large defense contractors usually add overtime, shift premiums and full benefits.
How to Become an Aerospace Worker in Arlington
Assembly roles usually start with a high school diploma or GED, the ability to read blueprints and wiring diagrams, and on-the-job training; Lockheed's electrical assembler postings require no clearance. Aircraft mechanics need an FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate, which is federal; Texas has no separate state aerospace license. Engineers come through UT Arlington's College of Engineering, whose Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department offers a bachelor's in aerospace engineering, and Tarrant County College's Hadley Center of Excellence for Aviation, Transportation and Logistics at TCC Northwest trains for the aviation side.
What the Job Involves
Aerospace work ranges from riveting, sealing and bonding airframe structures to routing and crimping wire harnesses, installing and testing avionics, inspecting parts against drawings and quality standards, and designing systems. Days follow detailed work instructions with strict documentation and traceability, often in awkward positions inside the aircraft and around chemicals that call for respirators and other protective gear.
Skills Employers Look For
- Reading blueprints, wiring diagrams and work instructions
- Precision hand tool, crimp and solder skills
- Careful documentation and traceability
- Fuel tank sealing or composites experience
- Willingness to work any shift and overtime on program deadlines
- U.S. citizenship and clearance eligibility for defense programs
Career Path and Advancement
Many Arlington aerospace careers start on the floor as an assembler in Fort Worth, move into a certified trade such as A&P mechanic, avionics or composites, then into inspector, lead or planner roles. A degree from UT Arlington opens engineering and program management tracks at the same primes, and a security clearance earned on one program makes a worker more valuable across the whole Fort Worth and Greenville defense corridor.
Related Careers in Arlington
If aerospace interests you, these related Arlington roles draw on the same skills:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to work in aerospace in Arlington?
It depends on the role. Aircraft mechanics need an FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate, but assemblers, composites techs and most inspectors do not need a license. Texas has no separate state aerospace license.
Do aerospace jobs near Arlington require a security clearance?
Many defense programs at Lockheed Martin, Bell and Twenty-Six Defense require U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a clearance. Some production roles, such as Lockheed's aircraft electrical assembler, list no clearance requirement, so check each posting.
How much do aerospace workers make in Arlington?
Entry assemblers generally start around $18 to $26 an hour, experienced assemblers and certified mechanics earn about $30 to $45, and engineers commonly earn $100,000 to $160,000 a year. These are estimates that move with clearance, certification and shift.
How long does it take to get into aerospace?
Assembly roles can start soon after hiring because employers train on the job. Mechanics first complete an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician program or the FAA's experience requirement before testing, and an engineering degree takes about four years.
Where are the aerospace jobs for Arlington residents?
Most are in Fort Worth, a short drive west on I-30 or I-20, where Lockheed Martin and Twenty-Six Defense are based and Bell recruits for its Dallas-Fort Worth sites. Bell also runs an integration lab in Arlington, and L3Harris hires at its Greenville site northeast of Dallas.
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