Composites Technician-All Levels- 1st Shift

Karman Space & Defense; West Valley City (UT); On-site; USD 32,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

HSA with company contribution

FSA

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense is seeking a skilled Composites Technician to manufacture advanced aerospace components. You will work from drawings, perform inspections, and use hand layup, filament winding, vacuum bagging, and curing processes to produce high-quality parts.

The role requires reading blueprints, operating curing equipment, and ensuring safety in a fast-paced aerospace environment. First shift positions are available with competitive pay and benefits.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and work instructions.
• Experience using basic hand and power tools.
• Ability to use precision measuring tools and instruments.
• Ability to safely handle composite materials, chemicals, adhesives, solvents, tooling, and manufacturing equipment.

Responsibilities

• Builds advanced composite parts using hand layup and filament winding per instructions.
• Prepares tooling and materials for composite layup (pre-preg, vacuum bagging, trimming).
• Performs tooling fabrication, bonding, and related processes.
• Operates ply-cutting, hydraulic platen press, oven, autoclave, and curing equipment as applicable.
• Inspects parts for FOD and performs in-process inspections per QA requirements.
• Reads blueprints and uses precise measuring tools.
• Maintains safe, clean work areas and supports process improvements.
• Provides technical guidance and on-the-job training as applicable.
• Supports Engineering with manufacturing process improvements.

Skills

Tool use

Reading blueprints

Precision measurement

Mechanical aptitude

Safety with composites

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Ply-cutting

Autoclave

Oven

Vacuum bagging

Calibration instruments

Job description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role is part of our Tactical Missiles and Integrated Defense Systems business, which designs and develops integrated missile and defense systems that support critical missions across air, land, and sea. We combine comprehensive analysis, engineering, and program execution capabilities to deliver mission-tailored solutions that reduce lead times, lower costs, and simplify complex multi-vendor supply chains. Backed by decades of flight-proven and fielded performance, we design and build mission-critical technologies including launch systems, propulsion, payload integration solutions, UAV components, missile subsystems, and Safe & Arm systems.

As a Composites Technician, you will manufacture advanced composite components using hand layup, filament winding, pre-preg materials, vacuum bagging, precision trimming, bonding, and related fabrication processes. You will work from drawings and work instructions, use precision measurement tools, perform inspections, and support safe, consistent production of high-quality aerospace components.

Responsibilities

• Builds advanced composite parts using hand layup and filament winding techniques in accordance with work instructions and customer specifications.
• Prepares tooling and materials for composite layup, including pre-preg placement, vacuum bagging, and precision trimming.
• Performs tooling fabrication, secondary bonding, and related composite manufacturing processes.
• Operates ply-cutting, hydraulic platen press, oven, autoclave, and curing equipment as applicable.
• Inspects parts for foreign object debris (FOD) and performs in-process inspections in accordance with work orders and Quality requirements.
• Reads and interprets blueprints, drawings, and work instructions and uses precision measuring tools and instruments.
• Handles chemicals, adhesives, solvents, and composite materials safely and in accordance with established procedures.
• Maintains safe, clean, and organized work areas while supporting continuous improvement of composite manufacturing processes.
• Provides technical guidance and on-the-job training to other technicians as applicable.
• Supports Engineering with composite manufacturing, design, and process improvement activities as applicable.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma.
• Experience using basic hand and power tools.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and strong work ethic.
• Ability to read and understand blueprints, drawings, and work instructions.
• Ability to use precision measuring tools and instruments.
• Ability to safely work with composite materials, chemicals, adhesives, solvents, tooling, and manufacturing equipment.

Job Level Requirements

• Composites Technician I: Minimum of 1 year of relevant technical or hands-on manufacturing experience preferred.
  • Pay range $23.00-$31.00
• Composites Technician II: Minimum of 2 years of advanced composites manufacturing experience.
  • Pay range $25.00-$35.00
• Composites Technician III: Minimum of 5 years of aerospace and defense advanced composites manufacturing experience.
  • Pay range $28.00-$39.00
• Senior Composites Technician: Minimum of 7 years of advanced composites manufacturing experience.
  • Pay range $34.00-$43.00

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace and defense manufacturing experience.
• Experience with hand layup, filament winding, pre-preg materials, vacuum bagging, secondary bonding, and precision trimming.
• Experience operating ply-cutting and composite curing equipment.
• Experience with oven and autoclave composite processing.
• Experience performing in-process inspections.
• Computer proficiency and familiarity with common office applications.
• Experience providing technical guidance or on-the-job training.
• Experience supporting composite manufacturing process improvement activities.

Physical Requirements

• Performs moderate physical and repetitive work.
• Stands for extended periods of time.
• Uses stairs as required.
• Performs occasional heavy lifting.

The essential functions of this position must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Special Mentions

• First shift.

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company-paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.