Composite Technician

The PAC Group•North Kingstown, RI

17h

About The Position

The Composite Technician fabricates, assembles, repairs, and tests advanced composite structures and components for next-generation electrified products. The role supports prototype development, design validation, and production readiness in a fast-paced startup environment, with quality, safety, and innovation as priorities. The technician performs composite manufacturing operations using materials and methods such as prepreg, wet layup, vacuum bagging, resin infusion, and thermal or autoclave curing. Work includes mold preparation, material cutting, layup, curing, demolding, trimming, bonding, finishing, inspection, and repair. The role also involves operating manufacturing and inspection equipment, interpreting engineering documentation, maintaining quality records, and following shop, cleanroom, safety, and material-handling standards. The technician works with design, manufacturing, and testing engineers to resolve build issues, improve manufacturability, develop tooling and processes, and support prototype and production builds. The position may also support test activities and the integration of composite components with metallic, electrical, battery, propulsion, or other systems.

Requirements

At least 5 years of hands-on experience manufacturing composite structures in aerospace, defense, motorsports, marine, or another high-performance industry.
Demonstrated experience with prepreg and wet-layup fabrication, vacuum bagging, thermal/autoclave or oven curing, resin infusion, structural bonding, and composite repair.
Experience working with carbon fiber, fiberglass, honeycomb core, and sandwich-panel constructions.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, work instructions, and process specifications.
Proficiency using precision measurement tools and fabrication equipment.
Strong understanding of composite materials, cure processes, and quality requirements.
Experience maintaining accurate manufacturing records and quality documentation.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining high-quality workmanship.
Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
High school diploma or GED; technical or vocational certification is also specified.
Ability to stand for extended periods, wear required PPE, lift up to 50 lbs (23 kg), and perform hands-on manufacturing activities.
Eligibility to work in the applicable country.

Nice To Haves

Experience building flight hardware for commercial, military, eVTOL, UAV, space, or advanced air mobility programs.
Previous experience in an aerospace startup or rapid product development environment.
Familiarity with FAA, EASA, AS9100, or equivalent aerospace quality standards.
Experience operating autoclaves and developing composite cure cycles.
Composite certification from a recognized technical institution or aerospace organization.
Experience with non-destructive inspection (NDI/NDT) methods.
Knowledge of tooling design, mold fabrication, and manufacturing process development.
Experience integrating composite structures with electrical, battery, propulsion, or high-voltage systems.
Ability to support prototype builds and transitions into low-rate or full-scale production.
Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience.
Basic exposure to CAD/CAM software such as CATIA V5, SolidWorks, or AutoCAD for reviewing ply geometries and digital models.
Experience building composite molds, plugs, or master patterns from scratch.
Aircraft maintenance, airframe, or aerospace manufacturing background.

Responsibilities

Fabricate, assemble, and finish composite components and structures using prepreg, wet layup, vacuum bagging, infusion, and other advanced composite manufacturing techniques.
Perform mold preparation, material cutting, layup, curing, demolding, trimming, bonding, and finishing operations.
Operate and maintain composite manufacturing equipment, including ovens, autoclaves, vacuum systems, trimming tools, and inspection equipment.
Maintain cleanroom and shop standards, calibrate shop tools, and follow safety and material-handling protocols, including OSHA and resin-safety requirements.
Read and interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, 3D files, specifications, technical work instructions, and composite layup schedules.
Support development, prototype, and production builds of new models.
Collaborate with design engineers to iterate on prototype tooling, fixtures, and part modifications.
Work with design, manufacturing, and testing engineers to identify and resolve build issues and improve manufacturability.
Perform structural bonding, mechanical assembly, and integration of composite components with metallic and electrical systems.
Trim, drill, deburr, and assemble cured composite and multi-material subassemblies to tight engineering tolerances using precision hand and power tools.
Conduct in-process and first-article inspections using precision measurement tools to verify part geometry and structural integrity.
Document manufacturing activities to meet quality standards and engineering requirements.
Identify defects and perform composite repairs using approved techniques and procedures.
Adhere to quality standards, safety regulations, and material-handling procedures.
Assist with developing manufacturing processes, tooling concepts, and build documentation for future production.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, cost, throughput, and reliability.
Support test activities, including troubleshooting and modifications, as needed.