R&D Composite Tech

Rock West Composites • San Diego, CA

84d • $32 - $42

About The Position

Rock West Composites, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a R&D Composite Tech. Rock West Composites, Inc. is an engineering and manufacturing company dedicated to providing innovative solutions for commercial and government customers. This position is located at our San Diego headquarters and reports to our Product Development Manager. The R&D Composite Technician plays a critical role in supporting product development programs from concept through build and troubleshooting. This hands-on position is responsible for executing prototype builds, providing input on material selection, manufacturing techniques, and tooling approaches to best meet customer requirements. The technician will lead development builds while ensuring cost, quality, and delivery targets are consistently achieved.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED required; Associate degree or higher in a technical field preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of hands-on experience in a composite manufacturing environment.
• Must be able to work on projects from beginning to end; prep, kitting, fabrication, trim/drill, assembly, bonding, etc.
• Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and part layouts.
• Proven experience in the production of composite tooling and components, including prototype and development work.
• In-depth knowledge of composite materials and processes, including: Tapes, fabrics, braids, prepregs, wet layup, resin infusion, RTM, compression molding, filament winding.
• Fiber types: carbon fiber, fiberglass, quartz, Kevlar.
• Resin systems: epoxy, vinyl ester, cyanate ester.
• Familiarity with precision bonded assembly techniques and sandwich structure fabrication.
• Experience with composite machining and finishing processes, such as trimming, drilling, and coating.
• Skilled in the use of quality measuring tools (e.g., calipers, micrometers, gauges).
• Experience building and bonding composite assemblies, preferably in aerospace or spacecraft applications.
• Comfortable working on complex, cross-functional development projects in a team environment.
• Basic computer proficiency (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Self-motivated, solutions-oriented, and dependable with a strong work ethic.
• Knowledge of aerospace hardware, materials, and processes is a plus.
• Proficient in the use of hand tools and shop equipment for fabrication, repair, and modifications.

Responsibilities

• Review engineering to provide feedback on manufacturing risk.
• Ensure work instructions and documentation meet engineering requirements.
• Build complex components using various composites manufacturing techniques.
• Develop and create processing techniques for new components.
• Support multiple programs and customers.
• Help to define the approach by which products or components will be designed, tooled, built, otherwise completed, and/or analyzed to meet requirements specified by customers.
• Define method by which conformance to product and program requirements will be demonstrated (quality buy-off).
• Support written proposals to customers by assessing scope and work required.
• Support Product and Process transfer from Development to operations team.
• Lead technician team in development builds and mentor team members to drive knowledge growth through the organization.

Benefits

• 100% Employer Paid Medical and Dental
• Annual Bonus
• 401K - 5% match
• Employee Stocks Option Program
• 9/80 work schedule
• 8- paid Holidays
• PTO: Max. 4-weeks after 5 years of employment
• $2,500 tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees