Composite Technician

Ascent Aerospace•Santa Ana, CA

90d•$22 - $38

About The Position

The Composite Technician performs routine tasks in a manufacturing environment to prepare composite materials for fabrication, curing, build-up, and assembly. The role works under limited supervision, with detailed instruction and intermittent review, and supports a team-oriented culture focused on continuous improvement and operational and process excellence. The technician may lead a small team on a specific job, keeping work on task and on schedule while ensuring standard processes are followed and materials and equipment are managed appropriately. The technician fabricates, prepares, repairs, and assembles composite molds, parts, and subassemblies according to instructions and drawings. Work includes dry-fabric lay-up, vacuum bagging, infusion, curing and de-bulking, surface finishing, drilling, and operating manufacturing equipment. The role also involves following work instructions and quality standards, maintaining equipment and an orderly work area, and observing applicable safety procedures. Travel to other site locations may be required.

Requirements

Composites-specific manufacturing knowledge, skills, and abilities.
1–3 years of composites-specific manufacturing experience.
5 or more years of lay-up, lamination, and bagging experience.
Basic math skills and ability to read dimensional layouts and use inspection equipment such as rulers and calipers.
Excellent manual dexterity and physical ability to climb in and out of tools and work on hands and knees for most of a shift.
Knowledge of machinery and its use, including drills, hand sanders, jigsaws, and table saws.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, prioritize, and handle multiple projects.
Excellent attention to detail.
Must meet export-control compliance requirements as a U.S. person under ITAR; the posting specifies U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents.
Must pass an employee reference check, criminal background check, and drug screening.
Must be able to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; see, talk, hear, touch, feel, and reach with hands and arms; and frequently walk and stand for short periods.
Must be able to lift and move up to 35 pounds and occasionally lift and move objects up to 50 pounds.
Must have the specified vision abilities: close, distance, and color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Problem-solving skills, including timely identification and resolution of problems and skillful information gathering and analysis.
Interpersonal skills, including maintaining confidentiality, openness to others’ ideas, and willingness to try new things.
Clear and persuasive oral communication, including group presentation and meeting-conducting skills.
Written communication skills, including editing for spelling and grammar, presenting numerical data effectively, and reading and interpreting written information.
Quality-control skills, including accuracy, thoroughness, and monitoring one’s own work.
Adaptability to changing work environments, competing demands, delays, and unexpected events.
Dependability, including punctuality, following instructions and management direction, and soliciting feedback to improve performance.
Commitment to promoting and observing safety and security procedures and using equipment and materials properly.

Responsibilities

Lead a small team on assigned jobs, keeping the team on task, meeting the given timeframe, following standard processes, and managing materials and equipment in the work cell.
Work with leads, supervisors, and engineers to solve problems and improve processes.
Perform composite repairs under the supervision of more senior staff.
Fabricate composite molds and parts according to instructions and drawings.
Lay up dry fabric; prepare, demold, vacuum bag, and infuse composite parts according to instructions and drawings.
Polish, deburr, and grind composite parts; clean tools and use acetone and release materials as instructed.
Drill, ream, and countersink parts.
Vacuum bag parts for room-temperature, oven, and autoclave cure or de-bulk.
Assemble parts, components, and subassemblies.
Operate manufacturing-related equipment as needed, including forklifts, laser projectors, ovens, autoclaves, ply cutters, and helium testing equipment.
Follow written work instructions and verify products meet quality standards.
Perform general equipment maintenance, including checking equipment at the start of each shift.
Maintain an orderly work area and return tools, equipment, and materials to storage areas.
Observe applicable laws, regulations, obligations, and established safety procedures and practices.
Participate in training and development under senior staff.
Perform other related duties as required and assigned.