Composites Technician

Actalent; City of Johnstown (NY); On-site; USD 43,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

401(k) Plan

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Health Savings Account

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Composites Technician to support the full lifecycle of advanced composite structures for space applications. You will perform hands-on composite manufacturing, including prepreg handling, layups, vacuum bagging, curing, and post-processing in an AS9100-regulated environment.

Responsibilities include tooling setup, precise layups, and ensuring traceability. This is a contract-to-hire role based in Loveland, CO, with benefits and opportunities to contribute to deployable

Qualifications

• Hands-on composite production experience in aerospace or space-grade applications.
• Handling prepregs and layup materials per specs.
• Experience with curing processes and quality documentation.

Responsibilities

• Perform composite production processes for prototypes and spaceflight hardware, including material cutting, layup, vacuum bagging, curing, bonding, and related operations.
• Handle prepreg materials, including kitting and precise ply placement per work instructions.
• Prepare tooling and molds for layup ensuring proper setup.
• Operate measuring and cutting tools and curing equipment to produce compliant parts.
• Maintain AS9100 documentation and traceability for materials, processes, and inspections.
• Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to support cradle-to-grave development of composite structures.

Skills

Composite production

Prepreg handling

Layup kits

Tooling prep

Ovens operation

Post-processing

AS9100 docs

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Job description

Job Description

The Composites Technician supports the full lifecycle of advanced composite structures used in space applications, from prototype development through production of spaceflight hardware. This role focuses on hands‑on composite manufacturing, including material preparation, layup, bonding, and curing, while maintaining high quality and traceability in an AS9100-regulated environment. The technician helps build high‑strain, ultra‑thin composite structures that package compactly and deploy in space, contributing directly to innovative deployable space systems.

Job Title: Composites Technician

Job Description

The Composites Technician supports the full lifecycle of advanced composite structures used in space applications, from prototype development through production of spaceflight hardware. This role focuses on hands‑on composite manufacturing, including material preparation, layup, bonding, and curing, while maintaining high quality and traceability in an AS9100-regulated environment. The technician helps build high‑strain, ultra‑thin composite structures that package compactly and deploy in space, contributing directly to innovative deployable space systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform composite production processes for prototypes and spaceflight hardware, including material cutting, material layup within master molds, vacuum bagging, curing, bonding, and related operations.
• Handle prepreg composite materials, including kitting of materials, hand layup, and precise placement of plies according to work instructions and engineering specifications.
• Prepare tooling and molds for composite layup, ensuring surfaces, release agents, and fixtures are properly set up for high-quality parts.
• Operate calibrated measuring tools, cutting tools, and various equipment to bond, laminate, cut, vacuum-bag, and cure composite materials.
• Set up and operate industrial ovens and other curing equipment to achieve required cure cycles and material properties.
• Perform post-processing of composite products, including trimming, finishing, and inspection to ensure parts meet dimensional and quality requirements.
• Build high-quality composite assemblies, ensuring structural integrity, consistency, and adherence to engineering drawings and specifications.
• Maintain accurate records of production activities in accordance with AS9100 requirements, including documentation of materials, processes, and inspection results.
• Identify and report any inconsistencies, nonconformances, or process deviations to appropriate personnel and support corrective actions.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and assembly teams to support cradle-to-grave development of composite structures, from concept to product ready for launch.

Essential Skills

• Hands‑on experience with composite production processes, including material cutting, material layup within master molds, vacuum bagging, curing, and bonding.
• Proficiency with hand layup techniques and handling of prepreg composite materials.
• Experience with kitting of composite materials and preparation of layup kits for production.
• Ability to prepare tooling and molds for composite layup and ensure proper setup for production.
• Experience operating industrial ovens and other curing equipment for composite materials.
• Skill in post‑processing composite products, including trimming, finishing, and basic inspection.
• Ability to operate calibrated measuring tools, cutting tools, and various equipment used in composite manufacturing.
• Experience working in an AS9100 environment and maintaining records to AS9100 requirements.
• Experience in aerospace or aviation environments, with familiarity with aerospace‑grade composites manufacturing.
• Attention to detail and ability to follow detailed work instructions, process specifications, and engineering drawings.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with prepreg layout and layups for high-performance composite structures.
• Experience in composites manufacturing for space, aerospace, or similar high‑reliability applications.
• Familiarity with high‑strain, ultra‑thin composite structures that can be folded or rolled for deployment in space.
• Interest in working on cradle-to-grave projects, from concept through production and support for launch.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams, including mechanical assembly and engineering.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and willingness to support process improvements in a manufacturing environment.

Work Environment

This role operates in a manufacturing environment focused on advanced composite structures for space applications. All composites manufacturing and mechanical assembly take place in‑house, providing exposure to the full build process from raw materials to finished spaceflight hardware. The work involves frequent use of calibrated measuring tools, cutting tools, vacuum bagging equipment, industrial ovens, and other production machinery. The environment supports innovative deployable space structures, including high‑strain, ultra‑thin composites that package compactly and deploy in orbit or on the lunar surface. Work is hands‑on and detail‑oriented, with processes governed by AS9100 standards and strong emphasis on documentation, quality, and traceability.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Loveland, CO.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $31.25 - $43.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Loveland,CO. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 22, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News‑Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.