Composite Technician

Technique Recruitment Solutions; Wroxham; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Technique-Recruitment Solutions Ltd is recruiting for a Composite Technician to join a renowned British luxury yacht builder near Norwich. You will conduct composite manufacturing and resin infusion to technical drawings, ensuring materials are handled correctly and workmanship meets quality standards.

Responsibilities include preparing moulds, gel coat work, laminating, and post-process finishing, while maintaining a clean, safe workstation and adhering to health and safety regulations.

Qualifications

• Experience in composite laminating and resin infusion.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings and work to specifications.
• Knowledge of gel coat application and vacuum bagging procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Carry out composite manufacturing and resin infusion to drawings and specs.
• Level hull and deck moulds and prepare tools for lamination.
• Prepare moulds and apply gel coat; perform gel coat repairs.
• Carry out wet laminating with correct fabric orientation.
• Maintain workplace cleanliness and safety standards.

Skills

Composite laminating

Technical drawing reading

Vacuum bagging

Safety-conscious

Attention to detail

Education

City and Guilds qualification or equivalent

Tools

Gel coat spray gun

Vacuum pump

Table saw

Hand tools

Job description

Job Title: Composite Technician

Location: Outskirts of Norwich, Norfolk (Own transport desirable)

Type: Temp-Perm, Perm & Temp contract, Full-time

Salary/Pay - Based on experience.

Our client has worldwide reputation as a British luxury sailing yacht builder. They have been designing, building and supporting some of the world’s best Bluewater sailboats. We’re known globally for producing high-quality cruising yachts and for offering exceptional experiences, our commitment to craftsmanship and innovation has established us as a leader in the marine industry. They have a global footprint and support our owners throughout the entire life of their yacht, offering refits, after-sales care, technical assistance, and training, as well as new and used yacht sales. Our yachts are built in the UK.

Company Values

• Excellence
  Focus on being the best and constantly getting better.
• Passion
  Caring deeply, taking accountability, and being proud in what we do.
• Integrity
  Always doing the right thing, being respectful, and keeping promises.
• Family
  Being one team with heart, supporting each other and having fun together.

Purpose of Role

The Composite Technician is responsible for carrying out composite manufacturing and resin infusion activities to technical drawings and specifications, ensuring materials are handled correctly and work meets our clients quality standards and requirements. This role is crucial in maintaining the high standards of craftsmanship our client is known for, contributing to the overall quality and performance of our yachts.

Key Job Responsibilities

Composites

• Read and interpret technical drawings and specifications to identify required materials, fabric types, ply orientation, and component requirements, ensuring accuracy in all aspects of the build process.
• Identify fabrics and laminating materials specified on technical drawings and handle and store materials in accordance with clients spec & requirements, maintaining an organised inventory.
• Level hull and deck moulds to drawing requirements and prepare mould tools for lamination, including making splashes of tools and creating mould tools as required, ensuring precision in preparation.
• Prepare moulds and apply gel coat by hand or spray gun; apply tape to hulls to create gel lines and carry out gel coat repairs to standards, ensuring a flawless finish.
• Mix resins, gel coats, and pastes using the correct catalyst ratios and follow relevant material handling and process requirements, adhering to safety protocols.
• Carry out wet laminating, ensuring fabric orientation and lay-up follow the technical drawings and specifications, demonstrating expertise in composite techniques.
• Mark out structural component locations using a laser and technical drawings, ensuring accuracy in placement.
• Fit composite structural components, including bulkheads and longitudinal, and fit plywood structural components, including bulkheads and lazarette structures, ensuring structural integrity.
• Trim components to the measurements specified on technical drawings and use hand tools, table saws, and band saws safely and correctly, demonstrating proficiency in tool usage.
• Carry out structural repairs and fill and fair components to set standards, ensuring high-quality finishes.
• Understand finishing processes and identify the materials required to achieve the specified finish, contributing to the aesthetic quality of the yachts.
• Quality-check own work throughout each stage and ensure completed work meets clients quality standards, maintaining a commitment to excellence.

Infusion

• Prepare components and apply the specified consumables ready for resin infusion, ensuring all materials are correctly positioned.
• Prepare and apply vacuum bags for resin infusion and core application, demonstrating knowledge of vacuum bagging techniques.
• Carry out vacuum drop tests, identify leaks, and rectify them correctly before proceeding, ensuring the integrity of the infusion process.
• Carry out resin infusion of components in accordance with technical drawings, process requirements, and quality standards, ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
• Check infused components and own work for quality and compliance with the required specification, maintaining high standards throughout.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean, tidy, and organised workstation, observing appropriate housekeeping and cleanliness standards to promote a safe working environment.
• Use tools and equipment safely and in accordance with relevant procedures, adhering to health and safety regulations.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and follow production priorities and instructions, contributing to a positive team dynamic.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Qualifications required to perform the role

• Knowledge of composite materials, fabrics, resins, gel coats, catalysts, core materials, and consumables used in laminating and infusion processes.
• Knowledge of technical drawings, fabric orientation, vacuum bagging, and resin infusion processes, with an understanding of marine industry standards.
• Knowledge of the marine industry would be beneficial, enhancing the understanding of the products being manufactured.

Skills

• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications accurately, ensuring precision in execution.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to check own work against quality requirements, maintaining high standards.
• Ability to mix and handle composite materials in accordance with specified ratios and handling and storage requirements, ensuring safety and compliance.
• Competence in the safe use of hand tools, table saws, and band saws, demonstrating technical proficiency.
• Ability to identify process issues, including vacuum leaks, and take appropriate corrective action, showcasing problem-solving skills.

Experience

• Experience in composite laminating and/or resin infusion within a manufacturing environment, demonstrating practical knowledge of the processes involved.
• Experience with wet lay-up, gel coat application, vacuum bagging, structural component fitting, and composite finishing is desirable, contributing to a well-rounded skill set.

Qualifications

• Any relevant City and Guilds qualification or equivalent practical training is desirable, providing a foundation of knowledge and skills.

Personal Characteristics

• High levels of attention to detail, ensuring quality in all aspects of work.
• Self-motivated and accountable for the quality of own work, demonstrating a strong work ethic.
• Able to work at pace while maintaining quality and safe working practices, contributing to efficient production.
• A team player with a positive and flexible approach, fostering a collaborative work environment.

Technique-Recruitment Solutions Ltd is a proud equal opportunities employer, dedicated and specialist to the engineering and manufacturing industries.