Composite Fabrication & Integration Tech III

Advanced Composite Products & Technology; Santa Ana (CA); Presencial; USD 69 000 - 74 000; Tempo integral

Resumo da oferta

Advanced Composite Products & Technology in Santa Ana, CA is seeking an experienced Composite Technician III to join our aerospace lamination team. The senior role mentors Level I and II technicians and serves as the technical authority on the floor for composite fabrication and bonded assembly, working with engineering, quality, and production to meet tight tolerances.

Responsibilities include reading complex drawings, following work instructions, performing advanced lay‑up, bonding, autoclave

Qualificações

• 5–7 years of aerospace composite fabrication experience.
• Ability to read complex drawings and work instructions.
• Experience mentoring Level I and II technicians.
• Eligible for U.S. Government security clearance.
• Strong attention to detail and safety.

Responsabilidades

• Read, interpret, and follow detailed work instructions, blueprints, customer drawings, 3D models, and material specifications.
• Lead and mentor Level I and II technicians on critical operations.
• Inspect for dimensional conformance and address nonconformances with QA/Engineering.
• Maintain process documentation and tool readiness for production.

Conhecimentos

Composite fabrication

Bonded assembly

Leadership

Precision measurement

Ferramentas

Gerber Cutter

Calipers

Micrometers

Forklifts/Hoists

Descrição da oferta de emprego

Job Details: Level: Experienced, Job Location: Santa Ana, CA 92707, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $50.00 - $54.00 Hourly, Job Shift: Day, Job Category: Manufacturing, Advanced Composite Products & Technology (ACPT) is seeking an experienced Composite Technician III to join our aerospace lamination team. This senior-level role is suited for a highly skilled professional with extensive hands‑on experience in composite fabrication and bonded assembly for aerospace structures. The ideal candidate demonstrates technical excellence, precision, and leadership—mentoring level I and II Composite technicians while collaborating closely with engineering, quality, and production teams to achieve world‑class results. The Composite Technician III works independently on complex and non‑routine composite operations, resolves conditions escalated by Composite Technician I and II personnel, and serves as the senior technical authority on the production floor for composite fabrication and bonded assembly. Work supports large composite structures built to tight dimensional tolerances, under controlled process specifications, where many operations are designated special processes requiring individual certification to perform.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Work Instructions, Drawings, and Documentation

• Read, interpret, and follow detailed work instructions, blueprints, customer drawings, 3D models, and material specifications.
• Record work performed, material lot and roll numbers, and operation sign‑offs in the shop traveler and ERP system in accordance with ACPT's AS9100 quality management system.
• Resolve routine planning questions on the floor and coordinate drawing conflicts, work instruction errors, and non‑routine conditions directly with Manufacturing Engineering and Quality.
• Support development and improvement of work instructions, tooling concepts, and shop practices based on hands‑on build experience.

Composite Fabrication and Assembly

• Perform advanced composite fabrication and assembly operations, including lay‑up, bonding, trimming, drilling, routing, sanding, and finishing of complex components.
• Execute complex wet lay‑up, adhesive bonding, vacuum bagging, and demolding operations.
• Perform honeycomb core preparation, core splicing, and potting operations to process specifications.
• Assemble detail components into higher‑level composite assemblies using drawings, fixtures, and work instructions.
• Demonstrate in‑depth knowledge of composite materials, resin systems, adhesives, and curing techniques used in aerospace applications.

Hardware Installation and Precision Fitting

• Install aerospace hardware and perform precision fitting to meet close tolerance requirements.
• Safely operate material handling and precision measurement tools, including forklifts, cranes, torque wrenches, calipers, and micrometers.
• Verify dimensional conformance against drawing requirements and identify out‑of‑tolerance conditions before hardware advances to the next operation.

Material Preparation and Tooling

• Prepare, maintain, and condition molds and tools for production, and identify tooling wear, damage, or repair needs.
• Cut and kit composite materials using templates or automated systems such as the Gerber cutter, verifying material placement, fiber orientation, and bias alignment.
• Manage material out‑time and shelf life against specification limits across concurrent jobs.

Cure Operations

• Operate autoclaves, ovens, and other curing equipment to complete bond and cure cycles, including thermocouple placement, vacuum line connection, and verification of the cure setup against the process specification.
• Select and run the approved cure cycle, monitoring temperature, pressure, vacuum, ramp rates, and dwell times against specification limits throughout the cycle.
• Review and approve the cure record, verify the completed cycle met all specification parameters, and disposition cycle deviations and equipment alarms with Quality before the load is released.
• Apply knowledge of autoclave, oven cure, and out‑of‑autoclave processes to select the appropriate approach for the hardware and tooling in use.

Quality and Special Processes

• Perform all work to the released, current‑revision work instruction and process specification. Do not deviate from a specified process without documented authorization.
• Perform special process operations, including composite layup, adhesive bonding, and autoclave cure, in accordance with approved process specifications, holding the parameters, sequence, and documentation each specification requires.
• Obtain and maintain the individual process certifications required to perform special process operations. Do not perform an operation for which certification is not current.
• Perform in‑process and final visual inspection of plies, bondlines, and assemblies, identifying material flaws, wrinkles, bridging, porosity, disbonds, foreign material, and ply misplacement.
• Apply a basic understanding of nondestructive testing (NDT) requirements, including radiographic (X‑ray) and ultrasonic inspection, to daily work, recognizing how layup, debulk, bagging, bondline, and cure practice affect porosity, voids, disbonds, and other discontinuities that generate NDT indications.
• Report NDT indications and recurring conditions to Quality and Engineering, and support process or technique adjustments intended to reduce their recurrence.
• Identify nonconformances, participate in Material Review Board disposition, and support root cause investigation and corrective action with Quality and Engineering.
• Lead first article and qualification builds, including the additional documentation, inspection, and process verification these builds require.

Leadership and Mentorship

• Provide hands‑on guidance and mentorship to Level I and II technicians, promoting teamwork, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Verify the work of Composite Technician I and II personnel on critical operations and provide corrective coaching at the point of work.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, quality, and production teams to resolve build issues and improve process capability.
• Support workload sequencing and job readiness within the work cell in coordination with the Value Stream Manager.

Safety and Housekeeping

• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area consistent with company and industry safety standards.
• Maintain foreign object debris (FOD) control and adherence to cleanroom and controlled‑area protocols.
• Wear required personal protective equipment and comply with all safety, environmental, and hazardous material handling procedures.

Qualifications: Eligibility

• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance as required by assigned programs.
• Must be a U.S. Person as defined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, 22 CFR 120.62 (a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, or other protected individual), as this position requires access to export‑controlled technical data.
• Employment is contingent on the employee being granted and maintaining eligibility for access to classified information at a level that allows them to perform the tasks or services associated with the contract or USG requirement for which they were hired.

Technical Qualifications

• Ability to read and interpret complex aerospace drawings, 3D models, and manufacturing specifications.
• Advanced‑level knowledge of composite materials, including carbon fiber, fiberglass, and prepreg systems, and of aerospace fabrication techniques.
• Advanced‑level knowledge of composite fabrication and assembly operations, including lay‑up, bonding, trimming, drilling, routing, sanding, and finishing of complex components.
• Strong understanding of aerospace quality standards, including AS9100 and NADCAP, and of composite inspection methods.
• Basic understanding of NDT requirements, including radiographic (X‑ray) and ultrasonic inspection methods, and of how manufacturing technique affects a part's ability to pass those inspections.
• Experience with autoclave, oven cure, and out‑of‑autoclave processes.
• Proficiency with precision measurement tools and the ability to verify close tolerance conformance.

Skills and Attributes

• High attention to detail: Organizational ability and the capability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Precision and repeatability: Hardware is built to tight dimensional tolerances. Operations must be performed consistently and repeatably from build to build.
• Leadership: Able to direct, coach, and develop less experienced technicians while maintaining personal production output.
• Communication and teamwork: Able to collaborate effectively with engineers, quality, and management personnel.
• Judgment: Able to recognize when a condition requires engineering or quality involvement and to elevate without delay.
• FOD awareness: Strong awareness of foreign object debris prevention and adherence to cleanroom and controlled‑area protocols.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement: Demonstrated through prior work history.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 5–7 years of experience in aerospace composite fabrication, lay‑up, and bonded assembly required.
• Prior experience providing direction, training, or mentorship to less experienced technicians.
• Experience with Gerber or comparable automated ply cutting systems and with laser ply projection preferred.