Composite Technician

Ascent Aerospace; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Short- and Long-Term Disability

Life Insurance

AD&D Insurance

PTO

401k Match

Job summary

Ascent Aerospace seeks a hands-on composite fabrication technician. Under limited supervision, with instruction and intermittent review, you will perform routine tasks in preparation for fabrication, curing, build‑up and assembly of various composite materials, supporting a driven, team‑oriented culture that seeks continuous improvements and operational excellence in Coast Composites.

You will lead small teams on specific jobs, interface with leads and engineers to improve processes, and ensure

Qualifications

• Composites-specific manufacturing knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• 1-3 years of composites-specific manufacturing experience
• 5+ year of layup, lamination, and bagging experience
• Basic math and ability to read dimensional layouts and inspection equipment including ruler, caliper, etc.
• Excellent manual dexterity and physical ability to climb in and out of tools, work on hands and knees for the majority of a shift.
• Knowledge of different machinery and its usage, including drills, hand sanders, jigsaws, table saws, etc.
• Ability to thrive in a fast pace environment; prioritize and handle multiple projects.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22.C.F.R. § is required

Responsibilities

• Act as small team lead on specific job, responsible for keeping team on task, finishing the job within given timeframe, ensuring that standard processes are followed, and managing materials and equipment in work cell.
• Interface with leads, supervisors, and engineers to solve problems and improve processes.
• Perform composite repairs under supervision of more senior staff.
• Fabricate composite molds and parts as per instructions/drawings.
• Lay-up dry fabric and prepare, de-mold, vacuum bag, and infuse composite parts as per instructions/drawings.
• Polish, de-burr, and grind composites parts, clean, properly use acetone to clean tools and release as per instructions/drawings.
• Drill, ream, and countersink.
• Vacuum bag parts for room temperature, oven, and autoclave cure/de-bulk.
• Operate some manufacturing-related equipment, as needed (i.e. forklift, laser projector, oven, autoclave, ply cutter, helium testing, etc.).
• Follow written work instruction and verify products meet quality standards as outlined.
• Perform general equipment maintenance, including checking all equipment at the start of each shift.
• Support quality process by maintaining work area in an orderly condition by returning tools, equipment and material to storage areas.
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Expected to participate and develop under training from senior staff.
• Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Skills

Composites manufacturing

Fabrication experience

Reading drawings

Math basics

Dexterity

Machinery knowledge

Attention to detail

Export control awareness

Tools

Drills

Hand sanders

Jigsaws

Table saws

Job description

Posted Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Ascent Aerospace – Inspiring the next generation of flight!

Ascent Aerospace is a world-renowned, single-source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace and defense industry. We provide high-precision advanced automated equipment as well as a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made— making us the largest tooling group in the industry. We work with our customers to develop their project and see it through, from process engineering to build and installation, to ensure it is an efficient and cost-effective solution. As a true, single-source integrator, we have proven tools to surpass our customer expectations. We have greater control of timing and schedules, which allows for 100% accountability, and avoids costly mark-ups, ultimately saving our customers money. The result: a group of businesses, each an industry leader within their own discipline, now acting as one truly integrated supply base.

Summary of Position

Under limited supervision, with detailed instruction and intermittent review, and working in a manufacturing environment with a variety of agents, this position performs routine tasks in preparation for fabrication, curing, build-up and assembly of various types of composite materials. Responsible for implementing a driven, team oriented culture, which embraces continuous improvements and ensures across the board operational and process excellence in all areas of Coast Composites.

Essential Functions

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position.

• Act as small team lead on specific job, responsible for keeping team on task, finishing the job within given timeframe, ensuring that standard processes are followed, and managing materials and equipment in work cell.
• Interface with leads, supervisors, and engineers to solve problems and improve processes.
• Perform composite repairs under supervision of more senior staff.
• Fabricate composite molds and parts as per instructions/drawings.
• Lay-up dry fabric and prepare, de-mold, vacuum bag, and infuse composite parts as per instructions/drawings.
• Polish, de-burr, and grind composites parts, clean, properly use acetone to clean tools and release as per instructions/drawings.
• Drill, ream, and countersink.
• Vacuum bag parts for room temperature, oven, and autoclave cure/de-bulk.
• Operate some manufacturing-related equipment, as needed (i.e. forklift, laser projector, oven, autoclave, ply cutter, helium testing, etc.).
• Follow written work instruction and verify products meet quality standards as outlined.
• Perform general equipment maintenance, including checking all equipment at the start of each shift.
• Support quality process by maintaining work area in an orderly condition by returning tools, equipment and material to storage areas.
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Expected to participate and develop under training from senior staff.
• Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Required Skills, Education & Experience

Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful job performance will be considered. Typical qualifications would be:

• Composites-specific manufacturing knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• 1-3 years of composites-specific manufacturing experience
• 5+ year of layup, lamination, and bagging experience
• Basic math and ability to read dimensional layouts and inspection equipment including ruler, caliper, etc.
• Excellent manual dexterity and physical ability to climb in and out of tools, work on hands and knees for the majority of a shift.
• Knowledge of different machinery and its usage, including drills, hand sanders, jigsaws, table saws, etc.
• Ability to thrive in a fast pace environment; prioritize and handle multiple projects.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22.C.F.R. § is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Problem solving – the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Interpersonal Skills – the individual maintains confidentiality, remains open to others’ ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things.
• Oral communication – the individual speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills and conducts meetings.
• Written Communications – the individual edits work for spelling and grammar, presents numerical data effectively and is able to read and interpret written information.
• Quality Control – the individual demonstrates accuracy, thoroughness, and monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Adaptability – the individual adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
• Dependability – the individual is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Safety and security – the individual actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• None

Travel

• May be required to travel to other site locations.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions described here are representative of those that may be experienced by an employee on a daily basis while performing the functions of this job.

• Typically sits for extended periods at a computer workstation
• May access and work in the manufacturing plant
• While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes and airborne particles
• The employee may be exposed to vibration
• The employee is occasionally exposed to caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• May be required to travel to other site locations during the work day
• May be required to work weekends to meet department and business demands
• Work with safe manufacturing processes and understand that eyewear is mandatory in the manufacturing area.
• Knows that safety shoes are recommended in the manufacturing area

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

• Must be able to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Must be able to see, talk, hear, touch, feel and reach with hands and arms.
• Must be able to frequently walk and stand for short periods of time
• Must be able to lift and move up to 35lbs, occasionally lift and move objects up to 50lbs.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Employment is contingent upon successfully passing an employee reference check, criminal background check, and drug screening.

This position requires use of information that is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder').

Ascent Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please call toll-free [phone]. This phone number is created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.

BENEFITS

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• AD&D Insurance
• PTO
• 401k Match

No Unauthorized Referrals from Recruiters & Vendors

Please note that Ascent Aerospace does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or offers from third party recruiters or staffing agencies associated with any published or unpublished employment opportunities. Any unsolicited information sent to Ascent Aerospace will be considered as unencumbered and free from any fee or charge whatsoever. Only members of our Human Resources Team have the authority to engage or authorize recruiting services, which must be agreed upon before the unsolicited resume or offer is received.