Andrew D. Dropik
Beaufort
Summary
Dedicated Aircraft Mechanic with over 15 years of experience and a current Secret Clearance, demonstrating a strong commitment to safety and operational excellence. A decade of service in the United States Marine Corps has fostered a diverse skill set that includes security protocols, weapons training, water survival techniques, and firefighting support. Proven ability to thrive in high-pressure environments while maintaining the highest standards of maintenance and repair. Expertise in collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance mission readiness and operational efficiency.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Kitchen Staff Member
Parker’s Kitchen Gas Station
Beaufort, SC
06.2026 - Current
- Operated kitchen equipment efficiently to prepare high-quality meals.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of kitchen workspace to ensure compliance with health standards.
- Assisted in inventory management by tracking stock levels and reporting shortages promptly.
- Customer Service
Structural Assembler 787
Boeing
Charleston, SC
06.2025 - 10.2025
- Mid-Body Upper Automation Flex-Track Driller.
- Mid-Body Section assembler
- Assembled structural components according to engineering specifications and safety standards.
- Collaborated with team members to optimize assembly processes and enhance workflow efficiency.
Senior Principal Mechanic on F-35B
Northrop Grumman
Beaufort, SC
01.2023 - 04.2025
- Airframes Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative (CDQAR)
- Managed Personnel by mission priority and qualifications.
- Performed a Horizontal Stabilizer / Fuselage breakdown, structural inspection, and rebuild.
- Performed Upgraded Landing Gear installations and rigging.
- Countless Flight Control removals, inspections, installations, and rigging.
- Collaborated with Engineers to create procedures for removing structural components to inspect for damage.
- Low Observable Certified
- Performed countless Technical Directive Modifications, Inspections, and Replacements.
Airframe Mechanic on F-35B
Lockheed Martin
Beaufort, SC
08.2019 - 01.2023
- Airframes Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative (CDQAR)
- Assisted in training over 30 Italian personnel and 50 Marine personnel on GSE and Aircraft Systems.
- Inspected and repaired airframe structures, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
- Performed 3 Aircraft Lightning Inspections with a rapid turnaround to flight readiness.
- Low Observable Certified.
- Collaborated with engineering teams to troubleshoot technical issues on aircraft systems.
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
United States Marine Corps
Beaufort, SC
08.2015 - 06.2019
- Airframes Mechanic/Aircraft Technician on F-35B Jet
- Awarded Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI) followed by Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative (CDQAR) qualification due to continuous drive for knowledge and experience.
- Screened over 500 Health Reporting Codes (HRCs) across 32 F-35B aircraft to ensure Safety of Flight.
- Obtained over 300 hours of experience regarding Low Observable application and Composite Repair.
- Recognized discrepancies within Joint Technical Data publications and provided quick, easy solutions to prevent loss of man-hours.
- Verified engineering procedures to ensure safe, accurate, and efficient instructions are distributed to maintenance publications.
- Written multiple Action Requests (AR’s) when no publications were available for discrepancies.
- Trained over 100 personnel with On-The-Job (OJT) Training of the F-35B and referenced all publications.
- Performed countless inspections to keep Aircraft Readiness.
- Emergency Reclamation Team (ERT) Program Alternate that assisted in the successful recovery of an aircraft.
- Security Checkpoints/ Security Detail
Aircraft Maintenance Technician CH-53D/E
United States Marine Corps
Kaneohe, HI
11.2010 - 07.2015
- Awarded Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI) qualification due to superb work ethic and knowledge of hydraulic components and fiberglass repairs.
- Performed and inspected over 2000 Hydraulic and fiberglass related maintenance work orders across 16 Helicopters to ensure that mission readiness always stayed above 75%.
- Successfully painted 16 Helicopters with Squadron Designation in fleeting time.
- Multiple Deployments to various locations with countless successful operations.
- Attained United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) Certificate for the CH-53E.
- Emergency Reclamation Team (ERT) Program Manager that assisted in the successful recovery of an aircraft outside the United States.
- Security Checkpoints/ Security Detail
Education
Associate of Science - Cybersecurity
Technical College of The Lowcountry
Beaufort, SC12-2028
Skills
- Military experience
- General security
- Incident reporting
- Detail-oriented
- Superior customer servicing
- Operations management
- Workplace safety
Timeline
Kitchen Staff Member
Parker’s Kitchen Gas Station
06.2026 - Current
Structural Assembler 787
Boeing
06.2025 - 10.2025
Senior Principal Mechanic on F-35B
Northrop Grumman
01.2023 - 04.2025
Airframe Mechanic on F-35B
Lockheed Martin
08.2019 - 01.2023
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
United States Marine Corps
08.2015 - 06.2019
Aircraft Maintenance Technician CH-53D/E
United States Marine Corps
11.2010 - 07.2015
Associate of Science - Cybersecurity
Technical College of The Lowcountry
Education
- Currently Enrolled in Technical College of the Lowcountry (Cybersecurity) JAN 26 - Present
- Aircraft Corrosion Control course (N-701-0013) 03/2013
- Aircraft Paint Touch-Up and Markings course (N-701-0014) 04/2013
- Lightning II Airframes Mechanic School through Academic Training Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
- F-35B Airframe/ Related Systems Technician course (C-603-0008) 04/2016
- Supportable Low Observable (SLO) Maintenance course (ST-LO-518100100-MXE03) 04/2014
- High School Diploma - Obion County Central High School: 2004-2007