Composites Technician

Impulse Space; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 48,216 - 61,992; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision & dental

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Impulse Space in Redondo Beach is hiring a Composites Technician to manufacture composite and metallic structures for the Mira spacecraft and Helios stages. You will laminate, bond and assemble parts, inspect workmanship, and ensure conformance to drawings and specifications.

Role requires 3+ years in composites manufacturing, readiness to work with aerospace hardware, and precise use of shop tools. ITAR/EAR considerations apply, with competitive benefits and growth opportunities in a

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 3+ years of hands-on hardware manufacturing with composites.
• Experience with rockets/spacecraft materials is a plus.
• Ability to read drawings and blueprints with tolerance awareness.

Responsibilities

• Perform composites lamination including filament winding, vacuum bagging, layup and curing.
• Operate cutting machines for composites materials and cured panels.
• Assemble composites and metals, bonding, fasteners and inserts.
• Bond thermal protection materials to structures and apply coatings.
• Review instructions and complete work buyoffs as work progresses.
• Collaborate with engineering to develop test panels and optimize designs.
• Use shop tools: saws, mills, drills, routers, deburrs, sanders.

Skills

Composites assembly

Spacecraft experience

COPV manufacturing

Drawing & blueprints

Composite scarf repairs

Precision drilling/tolerances

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Saws

Mills

Drill presses

Hand routers

Deburr tools

Sanders

Job description

Position Details

Department: Manufacturing

Location: Redondo Beach

Compensation: $35.00 - $45.00 / hour

As a Composites Technician at Impulse, you will be responsible for manufacturing composite and metallic structures for the Mira spacecraft, and Helios, our third-stage/kick-stage.

Responsibilities

• Perform composites lamination work such as filament winding, vacuum bagging, hand layup, oven curing, and layup tool preparation
• Operate cutting machines for composites raw materials and cured flat panel
• Perform composites assembly work such as hand trimming, adhesive bonding, and fastener and insert installation
• Bond and assemble thermal protection materials to metallic and composite structures
• Apply coatings, sealants, adhesives, and primers to surfaces for surface protection and bonding
• Perform composites and metallics assembly work such as drilling, bolting, applying safety wire, and installing bushings
• Review work instructions and specifications, and complete work buyoffs electronically as the work is being performed
• Work with engineering to develop test panels and parts to help develop and optimize composites designs
• Hand drilling, match drilling, step drilling, tapping, countersinking, and chamfering using pneumatic drills and hand tools
• Install fasteners (Hi-Loks, nuts, bolts, etc.), safety cable, inserts, use clecos, and bucking bars
• Perform cleaning operations on composite and metallic structures using solvents
• Interface with engineering to identify work instructions and recommend engineering improvements
• Use basic shop tools such as saws, mills, drill presses, hand routers, de-burr tools, rotary tools, and sanders

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 3+ years of hands‑on hardware manufacturing experience in a production environment, working specifically with composites materials

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 5+ years' of demonstrated experience with composites assembly work on rockets, launch vehicles, satellites or spacecraft
• Experience manufacturing COPV's from start to finish including liners, overwrapping, testing, and integration
• Demonstrated experience performing complex composite scarf repairs with ply splices and curved surfaces
• Demonstrated experience with grinding off bonded composites hardware on complex curved surfaces
• Demonstrated experience with drilling, reaming, countersinking tight‑tolerance holes using electric or pneumatic tools
• Ability to read and interpret drawings and blueprints. Understands drawing symbols, flag notes, and section views

Additional Information

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full‑time hires, you may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.