Composite Structures Technician - Future Opportunities

Aalto; Rushmoor; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rewarding Excellence

25 days holiday

Private medical insurance

Dental and optical cash back

Personal pension plan

Income protection

Life assurance

Discount salary sacrifice scheme

Employee assistance programme

Perkbox discounts

Job summary

AALTO, a global leader in Stratospace, is seeking a Composite Structures Technician in Farnborough. You will support the manufacture and assembly of Zephyr’s high-altitude platform, ensuring time, cost, quality, and safety standards through hands-on build and integration.

You will contribute to continuous improvement, mentor colleagues, and uphold corrosion and ESD controls while meeting tight production targets in a high-technology environment.

Qualifications

• Aerospace or Engineering Full Apprenticeship.
• NVQ Level 03 Qualification in Avionics Engineering or other relevant discipline.
• Strong reading of engineering drawings and ability to follow process instructions.
• Excellent hand skills for trimming, forming and shaping composite parts.
• Knowledge of adhesive bonding for composite parts.
• Dimensional verification to specification.
• Experience working in ESD sensitive environments.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet production targets.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• EWIS Training.
• Understanding of aircraft manufacturing/maintenance processes.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture and assemble aircraft structure components (sub-assembly and primary).
• Use measuring equipment and calibrated jigs for dimensional verification.
• Identify waste and implement efficiency improvements.
• Support shop safety and implement countermeasures.
• Perform post-adhesive bonding quality checks.
• Raise and manage risks and issues promptly.
• Provide training and mentorship to team members.
• Maintain daily housekeeping for health, safety and operations.

Skills

Reading drawings

Hand skills

Adhesive bonding

Dimensional verification

ESD awareness

Pressure tolerance

Communication skills

6S

Office suite

Process instructions

Education

Aerospace Apprenticeship

NVQ Level 3 Avionics

Job description

AALTO, a global leader in Stratospace. Based in Farnborough, AALTO is an Airbus subsidiary that manufactures, operates, and delivers services with its solar-powered, stratospheric platform: Zephyr.

Zephyr’s persistence enables continuous flight for months at a time. Its current flight-time record of over 67 days in the stratosphere. From above 60,000+ft, or 20km above ground, AALTO can deliver several applications including direct-to-device connectivity and high-resolution Earth observation.

AALTO operates in a new operational layer between most of air traffic and low-Earth orbit, Stratospace. This is where high-altitude platforms led by Zephyr deliver services to commercial and government partners. We can help monitor environments, observe borders, track natural disasters and connect unconnected communities.

About The Role

As a Composite Structures Technician, you will support the manufacture of AALTO’s Zephyr high-altitude platform system and associated Ground Support Equipment, delivering skilled production activity to the required standards of time, cost, quality and safety. You will play a key part in enabling the successful delivery of the HAPS global business case through hands‑on aircraft build, integration and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities to include:

• The manufacture and assembly of aircraft structure (both sub-assembly and primary assembly).
• Using measuring equipment and calibrated jigs to carry out dimensional verification to the specification.
• Identify waste in assembly processes and implement activities to improve efficiency.
• Support shop safety initiatives and manage timely implementation of countermeasures to resolve problems.
• Post adhesive bonding quality check to meet quality assurance standards.
• Mitigate immediate risks including ‘stop work’ as well as elevate emerging risks, issues and shortfalls in a timely manner.
• Provide training, guidance, and mentorship to new and existing team members to support workforce development and knowledge sharing.
• Carry out daily housekeeping tasks to ensure health, safety, and operational requirements.

Skills and Knowledge Required

• Aerospace or Engineering Full Apprenticeship.
• Completed an NVQ Level 03 Qualification in Avionics Engineering or other relevant discipline.
• Strong understanding of ability to read engineering drawings and follow process instructions.
• Strong hand skills and ability to trim, form and shape composite parts
• Knowledge of adhesive bonding techniques and processes for composite parts
• Dimensional verification to the specification.
• Understanding and practical knowledge of working in ESD sensitive environments.
• Works well under pressure, works hard to meet strict production targets.
• Clear and effective communication skills (both written and oral).
• EWIS (Electrical Wiring and Interconnection Systems) Training.
• Knowledge of general aircraft manufacturing/ maintenance and processes applicable to the aviation environment (Human Factors, FOD, Tool Control, Health & Safety & COSHH).
• Understanding of 6S.
• Attention to detail.
• Proficient computer skills, and use of the Microsoft Office suite.

In addition to an attractive market-aligned salary, we offer:

• Rewarding Excellence: Benefit from our short-term incentive plan that rewards your hard work and dedication.
• Enjoy Your Time Off: Benefit from 25 days of holiday to relax and recharge.
• Stay Healthy: We’ve got your health covered with private medical insurance, along with dental and optical cash back.
• Secure Your Future: Take advantage of our personal pension plan to ensure a comfortable retirement.
• Peace of Mind: Our income protection and life assurance schemes are there to support you when you need it most.
• Getting around: Drive the latest vehicles with our discounted salary sacrifice scheme.
• We Care About You: Our employee assistance programme is always available to provide the support you need.
• Perks Galore: Enjoy a range of employee discounts via Perkbox, from household goods to travel!