AFP Operator I — Aerospace Composites Technician

Firefly Aerospace; Briggs (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental plan

Vision plan

Educational reimbursement

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking an Automated Fiber Placement Machine Operator to join its advanced composites manufacturing team at the Briggs, TX facility. The role focuses on setting up and operating an AFP system to produce high-quality aerospace components, with emphasis on materials handling, tooling, and process control.

The successful candidate will work closely with engineers, monitor machine performance, and implement improvements to enhance productivity while ensuring strict quality

Qualifications

• Experience operating Automated Fiber Placement Machines or CNC-controlled manufacturing equipment.
• Strong knowledge of composite materials and AFP processes.
• Attention to detail with a track record of producing high-quality parts.
• Ability to troubleshoot machine issues and perform routine maintenance.
• Effective time management to meet production schedules.
• Collaborative mindset and clear communication with engineers.

Responsibilities

• Configure and prepare the AFP machine for production runs with proper alignment and tooling setup.
• Manage material loading and tension to ensure correct placement during AFP processing.
• Safely operate the AFP machine and monitor performance, adjusting to maintain quality and efficiency.
• Inspect produced parts for conformity to specifications and document results.
• Perform routine maintenance and collaborate with maintenance staff to minimize downtime.
• Identify process improvements to reduce waste and improve throughput.
• Document process parameters, material usage, and machine performance.

Skills

Machine Operation

Composite Materials

Quality Assurance

Technical Aptitude

Time Management

Team Player

Tools

Siemens 840D controllers

Job description

Firefly Aerospace is seeking an Automated Fiber Placement Machine Operator to join its advanced composites manufacturing team at the Briggs, TX facility. The role focuses on setting up and operating an AFP system to produce high-quality aerospace components, with emphasis on materials handling, tooling, and process control.

The successful candidate will work closely with engineers, monitor machine performance, and implement improvements to enhance productivity while ensuring strict quality